Warning: You May Not Want to Read This - By Paul Herman, CCLI
At the Men's Prayer Breakfast tomorrow morning, Pastor Nolan is planning a brief message on courage. He just rented the movie
Gods and Generals and was very moved by the scene that showed General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson addressing the Confederate troops prior to battle. So Pastor Nolan asked his media volunteer to cue up the scene so he could use it as an illustration during his message.
Situations like this are now commonplace in churches and ministries across the country. Many churches also use full-length movies in their childcare ministries, youth groups and special events. But the question remains: is it legal, or does it violate any copyright laws?
Here's the quick answer. To show any portion of a movie in a public setting (and yes, that includes churches and other non-profit organizations) you must have specific permission from the movie producer or copyright owner.
That's why you'll see the ominous FBI Warning at the beginning of most commercially-available videos and DVDs. (Yes, I know you probably fast-forward your videotape through the warning. And even though your DVD won't let you skip ahead, that still doesn't mean you actually
read the legal-eze.) Ever wonder what that warning really says? Basically, it informs you that pre-recorded videocassettes and DVDs are authorized for personal home use only, and special permission must be granted for any public performance. Violations can result in stiff fines-up to $150,000 per infringement.
CVLI and the Church Video License Christian Video Licensing International (CVLI) offers an easy, cost-effective solution now used by over 40,000 churches. Through a partnership between Christian Copyright Licensing International (who offers blanket copyright protection for church music copying activities) and Motion Picture Licensing Corporation (MPLC), the Church Video License Total Producer package provides the legal permission for churches to show thousands of movies from over 90 producers, including many of the major Hollywood studios like Universal, Disney, Warner Brothers, Paramount, Fox and, most recently, DreamWorks. The annual fee is very reasonable and is based on your church size.
For more information and a complete list of producers, go to www.cvli.org. Or if you have more questions, call 1.800.234.2446 and press "4" to talk to a church representative.
Here are some more ideas about visuals in worship and great places to find visual resources.
1. Moving images are metaphors. The enduring power of Jesus' parables resides in mystery and metaphor. Jesus said, "The kingdom of God is like...," so how about doing the same thing in your ministry? Before shooting or showing anything, think and pray and meditate upon the grace of God, the grandeur of creation, the wonders of faith. What might the kingdom of God look like in your community? Check out the short films of www.36parables.com.
2. Moving images set a tone. They create instant atmosphere, from contemplative to celebratory. Over the course of a worship service, moving images could mirror the many moods of the Psalms, taking a congregation from grief and anger to contrition and reconciliation. The site www.theworkofthepeople.com has a vast selection of loops to suite any mood.
3. Moving images can illustrate a point.Hollywood blockbusters can help set up a sermon about faith, courage, sacrifice, grace. Several books offer lists of Bible illustrations in mainstream movies. The site www.movieministry.com has created a massive database searchable by Bible passage or theme.
4. Moving images can serve as the message.
The finest short films stand alone as effective sermons. The Damah Film Festival collected their award winning shorts on DVD at www.damah.com. The best church-based resources are at www.worshiphousemedia.com and www.sermonspice.com.
5. Moving images can take us on a journey beyond the church walls.Rather than talking about what people missed at a retreat or missions trip, show
it via short videos. For stewardship Sundays, have a crew film follow people to their workplace or schools. Short documentaries can become living testimonies of how we practice our faith. Finally, rather than talking
about what people think about God, why not take cameras into the community to interview people at parks or malls? What a cool outreach tool-capturing candid reactions and inviting people to come see themselves on the big (church) screen.
6. Major Movie Scene Downloads From ScreenVueDon't have hours to spend finding just the right scene? For an annual membership fee, ScreenVue has done all the work for you, and now, they are the only legal resource for ministry-oriented scene downloads from selected major movies. ScreenVue also provides over a thousand scene ideas from other major Hollywood releases that you purchase or rent. Check out ScreenVue's online subscription service at www.screenvue.com.
