Car Audio - in a cab

G

gordonzo

New member
Hi,

I'm going to produce a reality show pilot that involves following folks around NYC. I will have no real control over their movement or their means of transport. I expect to have to follow them in the subway and on cabs.

I was hoping to use a boomed NTG2 for all of this, but I was just thinking of what to do when my subjects (always 2, max of 3) climb into the back of a taxi.

It seems silly to try and put wireless packs on them while they're hailing a cab. Ideally I'd like it to be true reality and be able to capture the transition into and out of the cab with no off-camera time spent re-working mics.

I can't have a sound guy sit in the cabbies lap.

With the camera in the passenger seat and subjects in the back and very little time to prepare of the transition from street to cab... DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY THOUGHTS OR GREAT IDEAS?

Is moving the shotgun to the camera and maybe adding a secondary (I have Octava) mic quickly taped or mounted to the back seat (or back of front seat).

It is a pilot, so I could tolerate something a bit removed from perfection.

Thanks for any time spent thinking of an answer/solution...

Thanks,
paul
 
The best way would be to have all your subjects mic'd with wireless lavs, AND boom them at all times, running the audio into seperate channels on your camera or your recorder.

But for your situation, to be honest, you might find in close quarters like a cab, you can get away with mounting a shotgun or an oktava onto your camera itself, and recording your subjects. This only really works well in a situation like a car however because the camera is literally on top of the subjects.
 
Hi Paul,

Have you watched the TV program "Cash Cab", filmed in New York? Anyway, my first thoughts on your reality show pilot with talent leaving the cab, I'd go for a wireless lavs, using some B roll and J/L cut split edits for smooth transitions. If that doesn't work out, try Fleas idea to mount a boom to the camera - realizing it's a problem when the talent turns their head. If the show takes off and you have the money/equipment, you could wire the cab with strategically placed mics and multi-channel record, editing/mixing the tracks in post production. This would obviate the turning head problem.

Anyway, I've never paid attention to Cash Cab so check it out and perhaps you won't have to reinvent the wheel.

Regards, Michael

PS - BTW, if you're not going to wire the taxi driver (I assume the driver's voice will be taped), I sure hope you don't expect the driver to turn his/her head while speaking! If you do, invest in a good helmet and change to genre from reality show to an action fear-factor movie - let us know, sure to be a big hit (sic)
 
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I would rent out some Zaxcom wireless. A guy on RAMPS recently reported mixing some TRX990 out of a car in NYC from a block away with basically no serious issues. You can rent them from Gotham Sound in NYC. Keep the sound guy in a van following the action as they tool around town.

Try some practice dry runs to work out the kinks before you start to film your show.

Good luck
 
now THERE is some great advice.. If ya wanna go fancy, then maybe grab 3 Zax Digitals, SD442 mixer, Zax Stereoline to bounce back to camera (if you dont wanna go the double system route, as I know many many reality shows dont want to), and throw in a Sanken CS3 or MKH60 for covering incidental characters.

ok, I know thats maybe not in your budget based on your comment of using an NTG. but that would be ultimate.

On the seriously budget minded end, try out the oktava with hyper cap on camera - you might be suprised at the results provided that A) you keep the cars windows closed and B) you have the camera close to talent. I know on camera is a bit taboo, but like every trick and technique, it does occasionally have its place. You could also maybe try the ntg, it might be better than the oktava, it might be worse. My money is on worse if the windows are up at the oktava will have a wider pickup and give you less off mic zones in the back seat when you go for a close on one character or something.

anyways, good luck. sounds like you're asking for a lot out of a little. :)
 
Another option is a bunch of plant mics (like they do on Taxicab confessions) and then run everything into a recorder and just free run everything. Plant mics are fun.
 
problem is he has no rig/derig time... and imagine your sanken cubs and 744t driving off in a cab!


aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! (to put it mildly).
 
timapter said:
problem is he has no rig/derig time... and imagine your sanken cubs and 744t driving off in a cab!


aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! (to put it mildly).
Click to expand...

I'd be in the trunk with a shotgun:kali:
 
well, that goes without saying. :) here in south africa we go straight for the ak-47 when protecting gear though...

ah, cultural diversity :)
 
timapter said:
well, that goes without saying. :) here in south africa we go straight for the ak-47 when protecting gear though...

ah, cultural diversity :)
Click to expand...

Actually laughed out loud...not sure why.

Renting the Zaxcom might be a bit on the pricey side but compared to lost or dirty unacceptable audio most other alternatives will bring; I would rework the budget or take on some debt to save myself the later headaches and heartache.

Reality shows are completely dialog driven. Recording all of it and doing it well will more then likely make the difference between a show working or not.

Cheers
 
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