Part 5: Recreating the FreeShow Setup for Your Church

Actions and Project Templates – Automate and Repeat Your Service Flow

By Garry B. Jr., Media Consultant

You’ve built the visuals. You’ve styled your slides. You’ve synced your livestream and stage display. So… what now?

In this final part of the series, we’re covering two powerful features for long-term efficiency and success with FreeShow:

• Actions – Trigger style changes and behaviors automatically

• Project Templates – Reuse your full Sunday flow week after week with minimal setup

Let’s walk through how to build a repeatable, responsive worship presentation system using FreeShow.

Part 1: Automate Style Changes with Actions

One request from the ministry we worked with was to show videos on livestream with full-screen visibility—but still use lower thirds during scripture and sermon slides.

Here’s the issue:

• When a video is played, it goes to the background layer

• The livestream output uses a transparent style that hides backgrounds

• Result: The video is invisible to the online audience

The Solution: Use FreeShow Actions

Step 1: Create Two Styles

• Livestream – Transparent lower third style for scriptures and slides

• Default – Fullscreen video style that allows background playback

Step 2: Set Up Your First Action

• Go to the Functions tab → Actions

• Click New Action

• Name it: Switch for Video Start

• Under Custom Activation, choose: When video is starting

• Add an effect: Change output style

• Select the livestream output (e.g., Livestream)

• Choose: Default style

Step 3: Set Up the Second Action

• Name it: Switch for Video End

• Under Custom Activation, choose: When video is ending

• Effect: Change output style

• Select the same output

• Choose: Livestream

Now, when a video starts, your livestream will switch to full screen automatically. When it ends, it’ll return to your lower third style—all without you touching a thing.

Part 2: Organize Services with Sections

Once your content is added to your project, use sections to map out your entire service:

• Prayer Time

• Announcements

• Praise & Worship

• Sermon

• Giving Time

• Call to Salvation

To do this:

1. Right-click in your Project sidebar (on the left)

2. Choose New Section

3. Name each section accordingly

4. Drag shows (songs, sermon notes, scripture) into the right places

This helps your media team stay organized and move seamlessly through the service.

Pro Tip: Start with a Blank Slide for Worship Songs

For worship songs, begin with a blank slide that:

• Plays a background video or graphic

• Gives the band a moment to prepare before lyrics appear

• Adds a smooth transition for the livestream

Drag your video loop or graphic background to the first slide, then add your lyrics after. This creates a built-in “buffer” that improves flow without abrupt transitions.

Part 3: Save Time with Project Templates

Here’s where the magic happens.

Once you’ve built out a full service layout:

1. Right-click the project (e.g., 7-30-2025)

2. Select Create Template

3. Rename it (e.g., Cabina Church)

For future Sundays:

• Click your template

• Create a new project (e.g., 8-06-2025)

• Replace songs, sermon notes, or announcements as needed

Now you’re not starting from scratch every week—just swapping content into your existing framework.

Final Thoughts

By leveraging Actions and Project Templates, you’re no longer just building slides—you’re building a system. One that’s reusable, scalable, and built for excellence week after week.

If this series helped you:

• Drop a comment below with your takeaways or questions

• Share this blog series with another ministry or team leader

• Help build a creative, empowered FreeShow community by subscribing to my Youtube channel @thegarrybjr

• Need More Help: Get the No-Nonsense Beginner's Guide to FreeShow