This is the last week for the Camera and Sound module. The class broke up into 2 teams of 5 and continued to use the boom mic and lavalier mic. Tuesday we recorded an interview and a narrative short on Thursday. I spend a few moments explaining the advantages of a Boom over a lav mic.
We’re also using a sound mixer which provides greater control than is available through the camera alone. I explain why it is both simple and hard
We experienced difficulties working with the audio that put us under a lot of pressure to meet our end of class deadline. The big lesson is that no matter what the source of your equipment, it makes sense and can really save your butt if you check the working status before you begin setting up the shot.
Of course all the preparation in the world won't save you if you don't pay attention to details. Despite my best efforts to avoid problems, by coming into class an hour early to prep the equipment, I still managed to miss the fact that the video gain was turned on through our entire shoot.
“Wakey, wakey” as a friend used to say.
We worked up a short story that we would shoot as an in-camera edit, where each scene is shot in one take, as it occurs in the story. Each shot is filmed so that the end and beginning fit in with the next and previous shot. No extra footage because you aren't editing it in the computer, it's all in the camera. It took a lot of planning and discussion to shoot, but it was fun and it worked out rather well. It helped that it was a simple story and it was short, only 3 minutes long.
On the last day of the class we’re introduced to optical stabilization, which makes shooting hand held practical. We didn’t get a chance to use it this week, so I’ll talk about it in a future episode.
I also discuss the need to develop a process for double checking, not only the working status of equipment, but also the settings on the equipment.
Howard Phillips, the associate director of the Film program, will be teaching the next module on lighting, which begins next week.
Chapter times
- 00:07 Last week recap
- 00:54 This week
- 01:19 Boom vs Lav mic
- 03:24 Reel to reel memories
- 04:20 Mixer revealed
- 05:18 Production problems
- 07:08 Shooting In-Camera edit
- 07:52 Deciding on a story
- 08:26 The other team's story
- 09:21 Our shoot
- 10:17 Critique of video
- 11:16 Optical stabilization
- 12:06 Composition concerns
- 12:46 Checklists
- 13:40 Editorial: Order order
- 15:30 Close
