Audio advice for first short film

[Sparky874]

Dear all. I am a regular poster to DVXUSER but this is my first in the film making section so greetings to all.

I am shooting my first short film in a couple of weeks time. I have been shooting all types of material over the past decade but this is my first short feature. It is going to be shot on my Sony F3 using SLOG. The majority of the short is based upon a couple of gentleman having a conversation in a conservatory and later in the garden.

My question: What is the best way to record the audio of the conversations? Through radio mics with the mic taped under their tops to fully disguise them or through a mic directed on a boom. The radio mic option would be my preferred option as I wouldn't have to worry about keeping the boom out of shot, out of reflections etc.

I am trying to source a sound man for the weekend of filming which would be the ideal option, but if I had to do it myself, what would you suggest? What are you guys using for these scenarios. Apologies if this question has been asked a thousand times here, but I greatly appreciate your advice. I fully understand the importance of acquiring a high quality audio track for the production and I don't want to cut any corners.

Best wishes, Sparky.

 

[GaryNattrass]

I would keep it simple and put a radio mic on each actor, split track it with a mic each channel but make sure you listen to the dialogue and make sure your lines are clean for the edit.
Also listen out for dialogue overlaps as you may get stuck with them in the edit and make sure you get someone to track and note takes on the script and any problems with no good audio, if you have both actors mic ed all the time it will give you plenty of options for reverse angle audio takes!
An audio guy would be better if you are self shooting as you need to concentrate on the audio quality and make sure there are no clothes rustles etc and make sure your radio mics are set up correctly!

Don't forget to record a stereo atmos or wild track to add in the edit although this could be done with a clean stock effect track!

 

[Sparky874]

Thanks Gary. Just to let you know, everyone involved in this short is doing so out of their own time. We are shooting in Westcliff-on-Sea in Essex. The shoot will be over a couple of days. If there happens to be a soundman in the vacinity who would be happy to assist on this production, I am sure we could club together and get some funds for you time and assistance.

Gary I have a couple of Senheiser EW 100 G3 radio mics, but wanted to record the richest/highest quality audio I can -the film will look great, but I want it to sound even better! Sparky

 

[GaryNattrass]

G3 radio mic's will be fine I have used G2's on loads of indie films and broadcast, just make sure you take time to position them on the actors to get the best audio but with no clothes rustles.

Shame I am not closer as I would come and help out as I still enjoy doing indie films and drama.

As for the final sound that will be down to post and the skill of your dubbing mixer and sound designer just concentrate on getting him/her some clean dialogue.

Try to keep the sound consistent and using split tracks will allow greater scope in the edit, keep a boom with a shotgun on it handy too for any scenes that just need sound effects and if the F3 can record four audio tracks you could always record general ambience to 3+4.