Taping TV Mass takes lots of time and people

Now, here's some of what you won't see: three cameras focusing on liturgical ministers and members of the congregation...a deacon holding up signs telling the priest to skip the Apostles' Creed or letting the cantor know it's time to end a song...various people with headsets monitoring sound levels and keeping an eye on the amount of time the Mass has taken.

A recent behind-the-scenes visit as "Table of the Lord" was being videotaped discovered that what viewers see for 30 minutes each Sunday is the result of countless hours of work by the diocesan Media Office over several weeks.

Where?

The grotto at St. Vincent's Apartments in Albany was chosen recently because it offers an intimate and attractive setting for the televised Masses.

"We try to pick a church that's going to be appealing to the eye," Ms. Malle said.

Another important factor in choosing a location is the availability of electrical sources for the cameras, lights and equipment. Accessibility to persons with disabilities also is important.

Who?

The taping crew consisted of Heather Sahm as director, Ms. Malle as technical director, Michael Richards on audio, and Jen Ross, Henry Skoburn and Tom LeClair on cameras. Ms. Malle, Ms. Sahm and Mr. Richards were located behind closed doors at the back of the grotto, communicating with the people on cameras via headsets.

Deacon J. Neil Hook from St. Margaret Mary's Church in Albany, was floor manager.

What?

Other equipment included camera cables, microphones, microphone cables, lights and a switcher for viewing different camera shots during the taping. So much equipment is necessary that there can't be any weddings or funerals at a location during the days of taping.

Ms. Malle, the Media Office staff and freelance technicians rehearsed on a Monday afternoon before the actual taping the next day. Then, during the week, a total of 20 Masses would be taped for showing later.

The same priest generally celebrates two Masses, with a new priest and congregation brought in for the next two.

How?

After a 10-second countdown, the time to begin the Mass had come, and the taping crew whispered over their headsets to coordinate which camera shots to get. "Ready Henry. Go to Henry. Henry is on," Ms. Sahm said, meaning his shot was the one currently being used.

The Gospel was coming up, and Ms. Sahm whispered, "Jen, could you get the priest or the deacon? And I'm going to ask you to follow them over." Ms. Ross kept her camera focused on Deacon William Gaffney as he walked over to the lectern to read the Gospel.

As Father O'Brien wrapped up the Mass, Mr. LeClair got a shot of a stained glass window to serve as the backdrop for the closing credits, which would be added later.

In less than one-and-a-half hours, two weeks' worth of Masses had been taped. Father O'Brien and the congregation left as the next priest, Rev. James Clark, pastor of St. Jude's Church in Wynantskill, came with a group of students as his congregation.

Why?

"People will watch because they're going to church, and they get a lot out of it," she said. The televised Masses also are ideal for Catholics who can't make it to church and want to watch at home.

Another benefit for her is working with the talented Media Office staff and its freelancers, as well as the priests who celebrate Mass for a television audience each week.

"It's really wonderful to be able to see how priests make this a part of their ministry," she said.

("Table of the Lord" airs each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on WTEN-TV 10 and at 8 a.m. on Time Warner Cable in Ilion.)

(02-18-99) [[In-content Ad]]