Whilst the basic components of a projection system – the projector and screen – remain constant, there are a huge amount of different aspects that need decided upon, to make sure you have an optimum installation. A lot of this relates to sizes, positioning, etc., but also how the system is arranged for ease of use and versatility.

The first section of this article will look at screens, whilst part 2 will deal with the projectors that might be pointing at them.

One of the biggest advantages of a projection system is that it frees the congregation up from having to use hymnals or songsheets in worship. Instead of having their noses buried in a book, they are able to look up at the words, sing out, and take a more active part in the congregation’s worship. It’s important, therefore, that your projection system helps bring people together, and is an aid, rather than a distraction, in worship.

The most basic criteria is that everyone should be able to see the projected words or images. In some cases this is as simple as making sure that the screen is large enough for everyone to see, but most churches, especially those with traditional architecture, present extra challenges. It is rare for a church sanctuary to be a simple box, where everyone in the congregation can have an unobstructed view of a single screen.

Pillars and galleries can present problems, blocking sightlines or narrowing viewing angles. Sometimes aesthetic considerations prevent screens from being put in the best position. Many churches have several seating areas facing the chancel from different angles. There can be lots of hurdles to get over!

Despite this, I have yet to come across a church building where it is impossible to fit a projection system. Difficult? Yes! Expensive? Sometimes! But never impossible!

Let’s look at the diagrams of a typical church and chapel. Of the two, the church is by far the easiest prospect, as all the seating is on one level, and there are only a handful of pillars.

Most churches are designed with the pulpit and chancel as the focal points. This means that seating areas are set out with a fairly unrestricted view. In our example church, the only obstructions are the pillars, and it’s only the couple of seats immediately behind them that will have any major problems.

It is always good to have your primary screens in the same “field of vision” as those preaching and leading worship. This means that people do not have to move their gaze back and forward between the screen and the person. Your congregation should not have to feel like they are watching a tennis match!

In our example church, it would be best to hang a screen somewhere around the chancel area. There are various options available, and we would need to make a site visit or see detailed photographs before we could make a definite decision.

One possibility is to hang a screen on the very back wall, at the rear of the nave. This means that as the congregation look towards the chancel, the screen will automatically be within their field of vision. One of the main drawbacks is that the screen may well cover some of the more important architectural features, such as memorial plaques or stained glass windows.
(Incidentally, screens can be hung in front of windows, but it is worth the extra money to get a dark-backed fabric, so that sunlight from behind doesn’t wash out your picture.)

Depending on the layout of beams in the roof above the nave, it might be possible to hang a screen midway up the nave. This would also be well within people’s line of vision, with the added bonus that the screen could be smaller without losing legibility, because it is closer to the viewers. However, this type of arrangement can “cut off” the back of the nave, making it feel dark and empty.

Our last option would be to use two screens, mounted either side of the chancel. This is a good idea in sanctuaries that are wider, but in our fairly long, narrow example there would be no major gain in this aspect. The front pair of pillars could cause some obstruction, so we would have to be careful to minimise this.

Our chapel is a much harder proposition. The biggest problem is the gallery – not only do the people in the gallery need to see the screen, but those sitting underneath may well have their view blocked.
Again, a screen position above the pulpit would be ideal – as long as we don’t block anything important. However, this screen position would almost certainly mean that a projector would need to be hung from the ceiling.

The seats underneath the gallery would have a restricted view of the main screen, so chances are that we would have to make some alternative provision for them. Flat panels are becoming much more affordable, but the computer or video signal needs to be split between them, and this complicates the installation quite significantly. This, plus the extra cabling costs, means that the total bill will go up dramatically.

One important pitfall to avoid is splitting up your congregation. If there are a number of screens, the danger is that we get small groups huddling round their individual screens, not paying much attention to other people around them. Instead of one congregation, we now have four, or six, or eight, with little sense of community or cohesiveness as a whole.
The solution lies with correct positioning of the smaller, or secondary screens. Ideally as people face the screens, they should be able to easily look beyond them, towards the dias or pulpit.

As you can see, there is lots to be considered before you hang your screens! Hopefully we have made some of the choices a bit clearer and enabled you to discuss things a bit more confidently with your professional supplier. Next month we will look at projectors, and help explain the various options available there.

• Tripods
  Almost everyone has wrestled with a tripod OHP screen at some point in their lives! The main advantage of these is that they are cheap, and seem to be in plentiful supply in most churches. They are limited in size, and need floorspace to be setup. It’s also difficult to get them high enough for everyone to see.
  
• Pop-up
  These screens rise up from a case, which sits on the floor or a table. They are much easier to assemble than tripod screens (and they look a lot better, too) but there are still issues with viewing height, and the maximum size is restricted.
  
• Fastfold
  Fastfold screens consist of a fold-up frame, a pair of legs, and a screen surface which pops onto the frame. They are relatively easy to assemble (you get a lot faster with practice) and the frame system means that you can have a choice of either front or rear projection material. For added flexibility, some churches buy one frame with both surfaces.
  
• Roller Screens
  These screens are usually wall or ceiling mounted, and can be either electrically or manually operated. The main advantage is that they can be rolled up, out of sight, when they are not required, e.g. for traditional services, funerals, or weddings.
  Manual screens are fine if the screen will only go up or down occasionally. If your screen is going to be retracted regularly, or if it is out of reach, an electrically operated model will be best. Electric screens are activated by a remote switch, which can be either wired, or wireless.
  

General Screen Tips

• The size of your screen is determined by the dimensions of the sanctuary and the distance to the furthest viewer. It’s best to have a professional assess this for you.
  
• •Don’t be tempted to go for the biggest screen you can fit in your sanctuary. Large screens can dwarf the activity on the chancel, and give viewers a “front row of the cinema” feeling.
  
• Look for screens with a high gain rating. This means they reflect more of the projected light, and absorb less. You get a better picture from your projector.
  
• Apart from the gain, the other big advantage of screens above bedsheets, painted hardboard etc. is that they will reflect colours accurately. “White” walls are rarely pure white – chances are they will be light cream, magnolia (or dirty) and will be colouring your projected image. This will be more of a problem if you are projecting photos or images than just plain text.
  
• If you are needing a permanent, non-retractible screen, you can save money by buying just the screen fabric and stapling it onto a wooden frame.
  
• The height at which your screen is hung is also important. Too low, and people won’t be able to see it for those standing in front of them. Too high, and your congregation will all get a crick in their necks! Ideally people shouldn’t have to move their heads up to see the screen – it should be within their field of vision when they are looking at the chancel or pulpit.