Church Ceremony Audio Problem

Dick Campbell

Dick Campbell

Veteran
I'm shooting a Quinceanara in July in this old spanish mission church. The PA system is archaic and they do not have a sound board. The PA is inaccessible as it is in a closed rack and bolted to the floor. The priest uses a wireless Lav (thru the PA system) but refuses to also wear my wirelss lav. The sound mostly echoes in the sanctuary, so on camera mic is pretty crappy.

I may be able to hide some wirelss mics here and there, but this is a last resort IMO. any ideas on how to get a quality audio track?
 
I'd explain the situation to whoever is having you do this - if they want it shot and their talent doesnt want to mic up, perhaps they need to speak to the talent. What kind of setup are they using for wireless? Perhaps you could find an additional receiver? Just curious but why doesnt he want to wear an additional mic?
 
put an .mp3 recorder on the priest. tell him there is no chance of interfernece with his church wireless and that the family requests. if not him, how about put it on someone near him?

if none of those work, tell the family your limitations and see if they'll accept that.
 
I don't know what the service is, but I agree, if there is someone that will be nearby the whole time, then that might be an option (similar to weddings where the priest won't wear a mic - you put it on the groom). If there is a podium or lecturn, you can also wire that.

Or, just tell the priest that if s/he won't wear a second lav, then you're going to have to hang a mic over the alter/stage from the rafters. That might do the trick. :-)

Phil
 
Mic the closest speaker either with a wireless or a mp3 recorder. Use a Sennheiser e604 drum mic or other high SPL mic.
 
some good ideas, thanks.

I can strap a wireless handheld to the lectern,

I need to find a place to hang another wireless I guess. I'll check out the mics you suggested, Jeff.

fyi, this is a hispanic culture ceremony for a 15 year old girl, a full mass, sort of like a wedding without the groom.
 
I presume you've been hired by the 15 year old's family to shoot this event, so why not wire the girl? Or, if need be, leverage the family with the officiant.

Phil
 
The girl will be wearing the equivalent of a prom or wedding dress, so that's out. But now that it has been suggested, I'm hoping to find at the rehearsal, a parent or god-parent who will be at the altar. That may just work.

fyi on the priest, last time he did not show up for the rehearsal, and only walked in just minutes before the ceremony started. but this time forewarned is forearmed. at least I will be prepared if he is uncooperative.

thanks for the help.
 
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