#8 Wk3 - Camera and Sound

The Sound and the Frustration

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

#5 Creative Thinking

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Making Meaning

This is an honest effort on my part to talk about the process of creating work that says what you mean, or to put it another way, keeping your work within the boundaries you've set according to your personal values and goals.
The book that sparked this introspective podcast is Darkroom to Digital, by Eddie Ephraums. The supplied link takes you to the Amazon page. Eddie's home page is still under construction.

I spend a few moments talking about Socrates and his statement "the unexamined life is not worth living" because encapsulates the need to the creative individual, if not every individual, to consider the meaning and purpose of their life. You can read a concise summary of his trial here.

On page 26 Eddie’s book I look at 5 questions he asks himself as an artist to clarify his goals. I highly recommend it, regardless of what medium you work in. His writing style is straight forward and concise. It’s the kind of writing that brings new understanding each time you read them.

Taking Chances

I feel like I'm still getting my bearings creating this podcast. I also feel that perhaps it was premature to wander away from concrete and technical matters, such as production issues and class schedules. And yet, I've also made a commitment to myself to experiment and take risks. That includes embracing the sure possibility of failure.

A couple of quotes I often think of regarding failure are "if you're going to fail, fail boldly" and the other is "It isn't the falling down and failing that is the problem, it is the falling down and not getting up". I could do a podcast on interviews with people on failure, how they cope with it, what it means to them, failures that have shaped their lives. Not a bad idea.

Introspection and soul searching are going to occur from time to time throughout this podcast as I try to figure the meaning of what people are telling me and whether it's something I can, or should integrate into my own life.

Chapter times

• Discovering Meaning in your work :12
• Darkroom to Digital - about the book :52
• The unexamined life 2:19
• 5 guides for creativity 3:57
• 5 guides quote 4:36
• What I'm saying, what are people hearing 4:55
• Developing your vision 8:04
• Sharing your vision 8:26
• Avoiding sidetracks 9:47
• Closing remarks 11:11
• Next week 12:55

Production notes

I was having some problems with the audio going into the red in Garageband. I didn't see any distortion in Soundtrack, but it was hitting 0db continuously. I used the Levelator from Gigavox media to see if it made a difference. The audio sounded fuller and I can see it made changes, but it was still running too hot. I looked at the modified audio in Soundtrack and the levels looked fine. Maybe there's a setting in Garageband that's off.

I'm going to trust Soundtrack, and by extension Levelator and put the podcast out as it is. Let me know if you think the levels are still too high. If anyone has any experience with Levelator let me know how it's treating you. I don't want to rely on a black box, I want to know how to control audio in a program like Soundtrack Pro or Pro Tools. Right now, I'm going to be satisfied knowing I'm not blowing out anyone's eardrums.

Let me know how I can make any improvements. Submit a comment or email me.