A compilation of lessons from the field

Shawn Philip Nelson

Shawn Philip Nelson

Veteran
There's book knowledge, then there's field knowledge. You can compare specs all night long, but until you've used it on a set all night long there can be a separation from experience.

Below is a list of reports from the field. The primary contributor has been ptalsky, plus a couple more. I compile this list in an effort to not let all these great reports be lost but also to encourage others to also gift us with equally well thought out (and with grammar and spelling) set reports.

Please add links to any I've missed and I'll compile them into this main post.

Even more lessons from the field... 1st feature
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=148538

Lessons Learned, Part 89
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=103109

Lessons Learned, Part 88 - ptalsky
http://dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=101614

Another Shoot - And Lessons Learned - ptalsky
http://dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=90779

First time out, lessons learned - shawneous
http://dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=84260

Lessons Learned and Report on My First BoomRecorder Shoot - ptalsky
http://dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=80135

Reality Shoot Wrapped - Where to from Here - timapter
http://dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=68489

1st Indie shoot today as Sound Recordist/Boom Op - couple things learned - SouthBySoWhat
http://dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=68218

Another Day of Lessons Learned - ptalsky
http://dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=66126

Night Shoot Round Up, and An Interesting Meeting - timapter
http://dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=61105

Another Day of Lessons Learned - ENG - ptalsky
http://dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=60881

Lessons Learned and Report on All My New Equipment - ptalsky
http://dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=58857

After 3 days of run 'n gun shooting... I realized something. - MattInSTL
http://dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=49369

My Cart - On a Simple Job -ptalsky
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=85847

MACKIE ONYX multitrack rig - tim's lessons from the field -timapter
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=141948
 
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nice - i've read a few of these but glad to see them compiled - sticky and future additions perhaps? Now I'm going to go read the rest while I render some stuff - yay!
 
Always a good starter, even better if the same lessons-stories are continued with new additions. It's not only hardware that counts....
;~)
 
I was hoping this would become a sticky so as to not get lost in the shuffle. All the threads linked are really worth reading for those striving to learn.
 
shawn, matt, phil, tim, south, wabbit and all audio folks who posted in this thread-

a BIG SHOUT OUT your way.

the ability for all who shared reflections on their production gigs allows those who read this thread to learn how close to stand near the fire. of course, when we are in front of our own blaze we will still occasionally get burned. but with the discussions in this thread as part of our knowledge base maybe we'll get burned less.

making a mistake isn't so bad. it's making the same mistake that's troubling.

i'm looking forward to my next shoot.

be well

rob
 
What?

What?

shawneous said:
LESSONS LEARNED
Click to expand...

Some comments: First about the [film > audio] thread in general: coming from a total noob to sound I'm VERY pleased at what I've learned so far. I believe I now have a good idea as to what equipment to use for a short film.

Still... I didnt find what I was looking for in LESSONS LEARNED

Given that I'm approaching film from a WHAT (muthaf*ing) BUDGET??? (the next step down following NO BUDGET) and dealing with the emotional fallout of that.. I get this. What I'm looking for now is a simple guide on how to use the equipment that has been suggested on these threads - for example:

1) I gather that an oktava hyper is best suited for indoor use but...
a) what is the maximum distance to speaker (or actor in this case)?
b) does the oktava use phantom power?
c) when is it best to use phantom power?

come to think of it.. what the frick IS PHANTOM POWER? and when do you need it?

2) Lets say I can get hold of an at4073a?
a) when do you use a shotgun mic?
b) why would you use an at4073a over an oktava outdoors/indoors?
c) what is a SHOTGUN mic for?
d) what is the functional max distance of a shotgun?
e) do you use shotgun for foley? if not which mike is best suited to foley?

Well.. thats all i got for now.. thanks a heap to all contributing

Can someone point me in the right direction here?

Thanks again.
 
William Lewis said:
1) I gather that an oktava hyper is best suited for indoor use but...
a) what is the maximum distance to speaker (or actor in this case)?
b) does the oktava use phantom power?
c) when is it best to use phantom power?

come to think of it.. what the frick IS PHANTOM POWER? and when do you need it?
Click to expand...
1a) Closest mic wins, 18" or under is preferable, 2' is tops for good audio
1b) yes
c) all the time unless the mic is a dynamic mic (the big type you hand hold) or has a battery in it.

William Lewis said:
2) Lets say I can get hold of an at4073a?
a) when do you use a shotgun mic?
b) why would you use an at4073a over an oktava outdoors/indoors?
c) what is a SHOTGUN mic for?
d) what is the functional max distance of a shotgun?
e) do you use shotgun for foley? if not which mike is best suited to foley?
Click to expand...

2) yes
2a) When you are outdoors or in a large environment
2b) the simple answer is shotgun:outdoors, oktava:indoors. The long answer has to do with their pickup patterns
2c) see answer to 2b.
2d) again, closest mic wins, get as close as possible, the closer the mic the cleaner the audio.
2e) yes, use shotguns for foley, get VERY close to what you are foleying.
 
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