Recording sound in bullfight

A

ArbolitoGreen

New member
I'm starting a project next week in which I'll have to record sound inside the ring at a bullfight. The director wants to isolate as much as possible the sound emanating from the bull as it's entering the ring, the bullfighter calling up the bull, and the sounds in general inside the ring. I was thinking about placing four wireless condensers around the ring. Can anyone help me with a better set-up, or perhaps better idea? I believe the ring is about 60 feet in diameter. Many thanks in advance.

ArbolitoGreen
Arbolito productions LTd.
 
I think you should have two boom operators (for bull and matador) HARD-WIRED to the camera, and make THAT the subject of your project. "The maypole of death"?


Really, I'd say, wireless mic on the matador, placed somewhere where you can pick up more than just voice; a mic of any sort near the bull's enttry point, and a stereo mic/pair somewhere capturing the ring/bull stomps/ambience. Possibly another stereo setup directed at the audience. And, mic the bull? Can you? Use a cheap device!
 
The mics around the ring is a good idea. One also placed on the Matador would be a good idea and ask the director if he has a spare $500 to throw away on a very authentic bull sound. If so have production buy a Sennheiser G2 lav system and strap it to the bull. If you manage to salvage it after the fight that'd be a bonus.
 
Many thanks to all of you with ingenious suggestions. I'll give it a try regarding the stereo mics and placing one near the bull's entrance. Unfortunately bullfighters are a superstitious bunch and they rejected the idea of getting wired. With that you can imagine what the possibilities are of wiring the bull !! The limitations are many, such as the inability to move around the ring, in that sense the original idea of setting up condenser mics to create sort of an artificial "sound ring' picked up by the condenser. I;m going to be working at least 3 or 4 bullfights, so I'll have a chance to try out some of your suggestions and I'll get back to you with the results for your evaluations.

Again, my hat is off to you in appreciation.

ArbolitoGreen

arbolito productions ltd
 
ArbolitoGreen said:
I;m going to be working at least 3 or 4 bullfights, so I'll have a chance to try out some of your suggestions and I'll get back to you with the results for your evaluations.
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Please do! This is a very interesting scenario!
 
Oh my gosh! What an opportunity. That's way cool. I'd put as many mics around the arena as you can. If you are feeling lucky, maybe a couple of PZM's on the ground, but I would expect them to get damaged, if not destroyed in the process, so nothing expensive. Although, in that scenario, you'd have cables all over the place, and the bullfighters probably won't like that.

Another thing I would do is mount shotguns on the edge of the arena facing into it. As many as you can. That way, you aren't in the actual ring with any gear. You'd have to have lots and lots of cable, and a good multi-track recorder, like a deva V, as you would have a ton of mics out there. The good thing is you get a couple of cracks at it, so you can try different set ups each time.

I am envious of you. I don't know anyone else that has had the opportunity to do this.

-dave
 
oleg said:
check that one , it was used in rodeo shoes as i know to pick up the sounds you are looking

http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/2699aa819e371fd1/index.html


stereo mic for the audience ambiance
lavalier on the matador to get his last minutes:-) and that one would give something together .
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The Audio Technica mic is one in my arsenal, I'll place it directly in front of the area where the bullfighters congregate on the outside ring, and I'll try to get a second one aimed at the inside ring to capture as much as possible. Again, thanks to all four your kind responses.

ArbolitoGreen

arbolito productions ltd
 
i dont think you can place it , you need some one who will point and follow with this one to the action you like to hear since is very narrow pattern ( like follow spot), better he would be with cans as well :-)
 
I agree with the crowd here, I am completely jealous. That sounds like a really fun opportunity. I would probably have the exact same approach as already mentioned but I would also make sure to pick up some wild tracks of the bull itself in it's pen or some place it can roam around free. The final cut is going to be built on many layers anyways so the more wild takes you can gather, outside of the actual shot, the better. Even might try to get some clean grabs of the "swish" of the cape, etc.

Cheers
 
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