Prepping for Tanzaian Documentary

IanBJohnson

IanBJohnson

Active member
Howdy-
I'm doing some preplanning for a documentary this summer in Tanzania, and want some advice on the process. I've never shot a feature out of the US, and was hoping you could shed some light on doing so. Here's what I've figurede out thus far.

XH-A1. This is the camera for the job. It's pretty essential that I shoot on tapes, as there is no reliable power source to power a laptop and external hard drives. And I want the added security of hard media, rather than two fat HDD's that could be damaged in transit or on location to ruin the entire project.

Global Solar panel. This is what I'd like to use to charge my camera batteries. I would like to make this project powered by renewable sources (at least as much as I can), and would like to be able to advertise it as being fully shot on solar power. The village actually runs on solar, but that is very limited and I don't want to hinder their day to day operations. Does anyone have experience with these panels, or can provide any suggestions?

Sound- this is a question area. Ideally, I'd like to shoot the entire thing myself. I know this presents massive complications and challenges, but I've done it before and can handle it. Also, to bring an additional body with me would be somewhere around $2,300, which is a huge increase for a 10-15,000 budget. I also want to keep this production as personal as possible, and having a soundman following with a boom gives it more of a hollywood feel than a single dude with a camera. For the interviews, I'd ideally mount a mic off the camera to avoid camera noise, maybe on a boom of some sort. Any suggestions?

Here's some background on the story: There's an organization near Nairobi called the Tanzanian Children's Fund, which started the Rift Valley Children's Village. I will be volunteering there for two months this summer (their winter), making a documentary. I plan on focusing the story on a few children in the village, yet to be determined. I'd like to show the challenges for new children in entering the village, and the feelings of the older children leaving. Throughout the film, I'll also explain what exactly the organization does, it's history, etc.

Does anyone have any ESSENTIAL equipement suggestions for this environment? I might also get a camera mounted light, but I haven't looked into that yet. The key point to remember is that this location is very remote, and any broken equipment is VERY unlikely to be fixed, further than sticks and tape can provide. I may even bring my DVX as a backup, just in case.

Any of your thoughts are greatly appreciated.
 
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I'd like to forward you our equipment manifest from our vehicle-based expedition to Central America in 2004. It'll have to wait until later, but I'll get it done sometime today.

e
 
overlandfilms said:
I'd like to forward you our equipment manifest from our vehicle-based expedition to Central America in 2004. It'll have to wait until later, but I'll get it done sometime today.

e
Click to expand...
That would be beautiful, thanks!
 
Maybe this goes without saying, but definitely get a hard waterproof case. Like Pelican. I shot a doc in Tanzania two years ago and the case came in handy for more than just protecting gear (on Kilimanjaro we had the brilliant idea of trying to save money by sacrificing chairs in our mess tent, but voila, I had something to sit on).
 
I would not use camera mic for interviews. I would boom if it is sitdown type stuff, and/or wireless mic. If the expense is too great for a boom/shotgun setup, then go for a inexpensive wireless (g2...).

I have some pics from a project online. It includes how I boom for interviews. I also throw a hard wire lapel on a "almost real time" translater (he translates after they answer).

I don't know if I would go through all the trouble of solar power to recharge. i would be interested to see what you come up with, so do let us know!

Have fun.

FD
 
Yeah, a pelican is a must. i was thinking the 1600 or 1645 would be good.

As for interviews- I don't plan on using a camera mounted mic. I haven't checked out your pictures yet but I'm guessing what i envision is pretty similar. A mounted shotgun on a boom, that's about it.

And solar- It may be necessary. Realistically, I'll only be charging camera batteries. But the village is already hard-pressed as it is with its solar supply that I don't want to tax them even more. I'm already imposing by doing only half the work of a volunteer yet taking up the same (if not more) resources. And i'd be stuck if their panels went down... i'm not sure tanzania has the best solar technicians. As far as I know, it's as simple as buying a car-charger adapter for the in-the-box battery charger. Very little hassle (aside from cost) that I can see.

What do you think? Has anyone here used solar exclusively for a project?
 
Solar panels are a great idea but they don't generate much power. In other words they take a LONG time to charge. Plus, while I was there, we had nonstop rain and/or overcast skies for weeks at a time, in which case solar panels wouldn't really work. It's certainly a viable option, but there are variables that could stop it from working all the time, so I would have some sort of backup plan.
 
Hmm... point taken. I'm not sure I can come up with any backups other than tapping off their power, which I feel bad about.
 
Just bring a buttload of batteries, and try to save as much power as you can while shooting (use the viewfinder instead of the LCD, etc). That way, you may have more to recharge but you'll do it far less frequently. I brought 5 nine-hour batteries and only had to charge them about once every two weeks.
 
I work as Communications Director for the non-profit Agros International (www.agros.org)... we work to enable rural poor families in Central America to create their own sustainable villages... currently have 30 villages in 5 countries... many in very remote regions. In order to document our work, the technology is cheap enough for us to create our own in-house production kit and just make it happen internally. Much cheaper this way than to ongoingly hire vendors everytime we need something documented...

While it IS possible to produce pro-quality projects solo, it is very difficult to direct, compose a shot, get good sound, run an interview all simultaneously. Of course you need the right gear... but you also need to KNOW the gear inside-out in order to set-up and capture on the fly. Challenging, but rewarding!

Having shot in very remote regions in 3 continents, I'd suggest the following:

- DVX100b (great cam, can carry-on flights, decent sound control options)
- I don't take a Pelican, but a KATA travel backpack. It comes with a water-resistant (not proof) cover... but have never had a problem in the rain.
- Rode shotgun
- Senn G2 wireless lav (upgrading to a Countryman B6 mic soon)
- Lightweight Boom pole
- Lightweight light stand w/ clamp (this is to hold the boom-pole in case you don't have a 2nd person to hold the boom)
- Bogen Carbon fiber lightweight tripod legs + small fluid head
- 4 long lasting DVX batteries
- 2 chargers w/ cig-lighter adaptor for charging in a car
- Rain cover
- Misc filters

For sit-down interviews I'll do both boom pole/mic and wireless lav. For stand-up or walking interviews, I'll do just the wireless lav. Everything fits into the KATA backpack except for Tripod and boompole... for that I've got a durable canvas tripod bag. So the entire kit is in 1 backpack (carry-on) and 1 tripod bag (which I check into baggage).

Editing is then done on a Macbook Pro w/ FCP... WHICH, by the way, can ALSO fit into the KATA backpack bag! Can't sing praises loud enough of this KATA bag.

The bottom line is - we're able to produce some really gorgeous work w/ this portable and durable setup.

See www.agros.org and click on video gallery for a few videos all shot w/ this kit.

Happy to answer questions, and to hear input from others as well... I know there are no formulas, and love to learn from other folks as well.
 
There is some good gear advice in this thread.

On the topic of solar battery charging, if you are going to be anywhere beyond the grid it is definately good security to take a simple solar set up. You may get to the location and find that there is tons of excess power, or there may be none.

I used 5W rigid panels to charge PD150 batteries during 21 days on Mt Kilimanjaro and had pretty dependable results despite the rain and clouds. I recently switched to a HVX-200 and 10W rigid panels to compensate for that camera's extra power consumption. I plug the panel straight into a standard 12V car charger and observe the indicator lights as normal. If you set off with 4 fully charged batteries you have a good buffer to keep you rolling during poor weather.

Flexible panels are less efficient than a rigid panel of the same size and weight. There are specialist folding panels that the military use for radios etc, if you can afford the expensive military price tag.

I second the Rode mic suggestion (NTG-1), cheap, robust and sounds great with good off-axis performance which is handy if you have it mounted on the camera.

I use a tiny manfrotto table top tripod when I need to mount a shotgun mic for an interview, it's much more portable than a full mic stand.

Also check out Miller Solo tripod legs. The legs are robust, light and very versatile for low angle shots. The corresponding fluid head is called DS10.

Pelican cases are good security but awkward to carry for any great distance - one solution is to strap the case to an old fashioned aluminium rucksack frame. If you can't take a pelican case at least take a (canoeing) dry bag or large snap lock bags in case you need to dry out the camera with silica gel. I keep a dry bag in the bottom of my camera bag in case of unforseen water hazards.

Kata gear looks amazing, but the company is very close to the Israeli Offense Force so buying a bag from them may undo your good solar-panel-karma.
 
Hi Russell.
I am interested to see how you use the table top tripod w/shotgun. Is this with someone at a table, micing from below? What about someone not in front of a table? (just a chair).

Would like to hear more.

Thanks!
 
Hello FatDaddy,

Yes, I use the table top tripod on a desk if it's an office interview. Usually you can get the mic very close to the voice, just watch out for desk slappers and finger tappers.

If there is no desk I usually position a chair close to the subject and place the mic/mini-tripod on that, using my camera bag to give the tripod extra height and to soften any vibrations from the floor. If the interview subject is outdoors, sitting on a rock or a log or whatever, the same camera bag system usually works well and is very quick to set up.

I suppose a lapel mic would also do the trick but personally I don't like the "lapel-mic-in-shot" aesthetic and I prefer to keep the shooting as informal as possible. Normally I am filming documentary subjects (non-actors).

If the subject is changing position a lot, and I am shooting alone, I sometimes ask an untrained local to hold a mic on a pistol grip or short boom pole. Typically the mic will wander off axis, so a camera mounted mic is a useful backup. If you have an experienced boom swinger/sound recordist forget all of this and be very pleased for yourself.

One suggestion for Ian's shoot in Tanzania - if you are going by yourself, hire a well respected local person as a "production manager" so you don't have to constantly organise logistics and liase with a million people. That way you can work most efficiently and focus on your story.
 
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raciere said:
Having shot in very remote regions in 3 continents, I'd suggest the following:

- DVX100b (great cam, can carry-on flights, decent sound control options)
- I don't take a Pelican, but a KATA travel backpack. It comes with a water-resistant (not proof) cover... but have never had a problem in the rain.
- Rode shotgun
- Senn G2 wireless lav (upgrading to a Countryman B6 mic soon)
- Lightweight Boom pole
- Lightweight light stand w/ clamp (this is to hold the boom-pole in case you don't have a 2nd person to hold the boom)
- Bogen Carbon fiber lightweight tripod legs + small fluid head
- 4 long lasting DVX batteries
- 2 chargers w/ cig-lighter adaptor for charging in a car
- Rain cover
- Misc filters
Click to expand...

Raciere -
Very nice list here... I will be shooting a doc in Europe this summer and need to purchase items that will allow me to shoot run-n-gun style. What is the model number of these specific items, please?
Bogen tripod
Rode shotgun
KATA travel backpack
On camera light

Thanks!
Jeff Helsel
 
Russell.

Thanks for the reply. Any issues with using the mic from below and not above? I have seen it done, but I usually go from above. I bring an extra light stand and mount the boom pole to it with mini-grips, etc. I didn't know how hand waving and such effect the sound.

Thanks.
 
I strongly feel that you will regret it if you don't take a hard waterproof case like a Pelican. ESPECIALLY in Africa. I've shot in 8 different countries over there and the Pelican case was by far the best investment that I made before going.

A backpack is more convenient, but you should never sacrifice durability for convenience. It's just plain foolish.
 
For me the camera rides on my lap in the backpack and never leaves my side. What size case for a carry on?
 
Just to expand a bit on what I said about the case; anyone who has been to Africa knows that there are two basic elements that are working against you for the majority of the time, and those are rain and sand. I guarantee that at least one will be in your face at any given time, because if you're somewhere where there's no rain, you're in a desert, and if you're somewhere where there's no sand, then it's probably going to rain consistently at least twice a day. Protect your camera and take an airtight case. Just my advice.
 
How about two Pelican 1510 cases for essentials. You should be able to put camera gear in one and audio gear in the other. Both are carry on but you may not be able to have two carry ons for a trip like this. It will be good to have these to store equipment in while there and not using as weather can cause havoc with gear. Also these are lockable so they are safer. You need to get some kind device to secure your pelican cases when you have to leave them out of site. Pacsafe is a good safety device to own. Also a lowepro DryZone 200 would be appropriate for your day to day work. It could carry all your equipment and is waterproof. As far as power, I would check to see how they get power in the area. Lot's of times it is simply from a gasoline generator , if so you can tap into this in the evening before power goes down for the night. I woould also have some type of setup for charging in vehicles as you drive from place to place as well as the solar setup. Have a few options will be the smartest way. I used to work with Fat Daddy and I believe his suggestions about travelling with gear and sound recording procedures are correct. He has done it several times and has worked out some of the kinks. Take his advice and you won't go wrong.
 
Just back from a 3-country expedition to remote areas of Central America. Just wanted to re-iterate praise for the KATA backpack... it was great as a carry-on, in rain, dust... all conditions. Also brought along a Quicklok A341 mic stand... a sturdy, small, light-weight drum kit mic stand that I used with my Rode NTG2 shotgun. Also brought a Countryman B6... one of the best decisions of the trip. The combo of B6 and Rode on the mic stand worked wonderful... and very easy to travel with.
 
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