Audio equipment for outdoor performance

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philkiel

Member
Hi,

I'm a graphic designer with a bit of experience in filmmaking, although I don't have much experience with audio and mics (unfortunately) however I want to change that now.

I've been asked to film a play performance which will be performed outside, details are:
  • There is 3 main speaking parts and 5 extra smaller parts.
  • The space is quite small and most of the play happens in the central space.
I own a Panasonic HMC150 and have a budget to spend on mics, I've looked at the various options available i.e wireless mics, widescreen, shotgun, boom pole but I don't have enough knowledge to make the right decision.

The play is Noah so there is going to be a small rowing boat in the centre of the space, with most of the action on the boat, I did have an idea of positioning a mic inside the boat to record the audio there.

I imagine this is probably the worst case scenario to be learning about audio but unfortunately I'm in at the deep end! Any help gratefully received.

Thanks

Phil
 
First: Is this a performance in front of an audience, or is it done just for the recording? This in part determines how the mics can be positioned to not be in the way.
Second: Is there only one camera, and are you going to record the sound directly into it? This limits the number of channels you can use unless you will operate a mixer, which you may or may not have time with.

There are several ways it can be done. One is to use wireless mics on everyone with lines, which can give good results but be quite tricky to get right (and a disaster if it's done wrong). The second is to place mics on different locations to cover the interesting points. I think it's quite common to use a pair of mics on either side of the stage, and one center mic that is sometimes operated by someone and follows the action. In excess to that, plants or other mics to cover any area that the others does not (such as the boat).

The mics can either be put around the edge of the scene, or in some cases from the ceiling. The kind of mics depends on how many are to be used, the size of the stage, and if they will be static or in the hands of someone.
 
Hi Jema, thanks for the comments.

The performance is in front of an audience but it will be quite informal as there is no seating.
We are using 2 cameras, only one having XLR inputs though (2 XLRs) and I want to record straight into that.

Can you recommend any specific wireless mics and mics for the stage?

Thanks
 
Hate to say it but this situation is screaming to hire some one instead of trying to attack this yourself. especially considering it will be outdoors.
this situation poses a LOT of challenges that you would simply not be able to focus on and still try to be the cameraman.
Idealy it would be combinations of mics depending on the dynamics of the play all mixed or recorded on a multitrack with a knowledgeable recordinst at the helm of the audio gear. the more mics the more to monitor therefore screaming "hire a sound guy" or be prepared to have bad audio.

Good luck
 
philkiel said:
I imagine this is probably the worst case scenario to be learning about audio but unfortunately I'm in at the deep end!
Click to expand...

You're right. This is the (very) deep end. Sorta like your attempting a wall sized fresco for your first painting. Who would do that? Yet, that's what you propose. Think about it.

If you insist on doing this by yourself, your best bet might be to take advantage of the fact that it's a play, and that the actors are trying to be heard by the audience, and therefore directing their voices toward the audience. A stereo pair at the edge of the stage might be all you need to capture "what the audience heard" more or less. But don't expect this to be good. Hope like heck that it rises to adequate. And do set expectations to be very low indeed.
 
I have done things like this in the past. When I did them I would place 2 wide pattern mikes, on short 6" tall 'desk mic' type stands, stage right and stage left, as close to the action as possible. Feed the XLR cam with those, then use the audio from the second cams mics as the ambient/crowd audio. Mix them in post. This worked OK and was much better than just using the cam audio from the back of the room. I used this setup on numerous stage plays with multiple actors and the audio always came out, not great, but 'acceptable'.
 
I agree with whiz, that the best would be to get a sound technician. But I can understand if there isn't any money or connections to make it happen, and in that case you must do what you can, and live with the results. If it's important that the sound is good, then hire someone. If you're ok with whatever you will get, then by all means try it out yourself.

You say the space is small; how small? It was also outside, so are there any noise from nearby traffic, residents, planes etc? Will they be using a PA, or will everyone hear them well anyway? You talk about speaking parts - does this mean different speakers, or that there is dialogue only at certain times? How many performers have lines?

Unless you will have a problem with outside noise, I would actually not go the wireless approach for this if there are several people with lines. If you are inexperienced, so much can go wrong, especially if the mics must be hidden. I would look at placing mics around the stage.


If you can borrow some equipment, I would highly recommend attending a rehearsal and experiment.
 
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Where are you based as I have done lots of things like this and have all the kit, I could even bring along a third camera as a locked off wide shot and record to that camera as a master from my audio kit.

I would put three AT 875R mics at the front of the stage but also use some radio mics on main artists and spot mics if needed, but all of this needs to be mixed and if any sound effects are being played in they need to be recorded too.

But if you are trying to do this properly you need an audio guy if possible to set levels during rehearsals and make sure it is monitored during recording.

P.S I am based in Co Durham so drop me a line if you think I may be of some help and let me know what budget you have available.
 
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