Critique my setup!

P

Patrick_Swinnea

Member
OK, yet another "what do you think" thread, but I don't think there's any place else I would ask. :)

The deal is this - I'm shooting a series of internal-use short corporate videos. The editing, music, feeling emotion, etc is more imprtant than pristine video quality. I've done one video for them already and they've asked me to do more. The basic setup for that was two consumer Sony Cams and tripod.

They were pretty happy with the results for what it needed to be, but I'd like to improve the technical aspects piece by piece for future editions as my budget (and more jobs) allows.

(I also want to end up with a basic production package that will incorporate nicely with the DVX I'm buying later this year.)

So, I'm starting with sound.

Most of the video will be shot in a front-of-house restaurant setting during closed hours. That means there won't be background talking but things like refridgerators behind the bar and outside traffic are sound issues.

It would consist of close up interviews of two or more people usually, with the occasional single shot interview.

Ideally I'd have a boom operator, but I'm working alone, so a camera mounted shotgun will work OK. However, I'm dealing with some pretty small cameras here so there is an issue of the mic in the shot.


So what I'm looking at is using and overhead boom stand/pole wired back to a Beachtek into one of the Cameras. Has anyone used a setup like this in lieu of a boom operator? Several of these look tall enough to work with either standing or sitting talents, and would allow me to use a longer mic for (better?) sound.

I don't want to use lavs if I don't have to.


Here's what I'm looking at. I realize there may be adaptors and mounts and things like that in addition, but this is the basic setup.

Mic Stand:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=154465&is=REG

AT835B
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=97711&is=REG

Also, is it possible to mount this mic on a small camera with some kind of adaptor that will alow it to stay out of the shot?

Thanks in advance!
 
Re: Critique my setup!

Using a boom stand is quite common and works fine in certain interview circumstances. Generally you need to have the talent sitting and not moving (back and forth/left and right). If they need to shift to get comfortable you probably are gonna need to adjust the mic.

Make sure you have some sandbags or something similar for the mic stand, you don't want the shotgun falling on your subject's head. :o
 
Re: Critique my setup!

I forgot the other parts:

I don't know if you have used camera mounted shotguns before but this is really to be avoided at all cost but if you must do it, get the camera in as close as possible (don't zoom).

Here is an isolator that will pull your shockmount off camera to reduce noise and keep it out of shot.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=167171&is=REG

If that isn't what you are looking for, poke around B&H to find all sorts of mounts, adaptors, etc.

Considering the location you describe a horizontally position microphone is gonna pick up all the extra noise you mentioned. Do what you can to get the mic as close as possible and pointed vertically.

I personally would reccommend a wired lav over a camera mounted shotgun.
 
Re: Critique my setup!

[quote author=wabbit link=board=audio;num=1104602832;start=0#3 date=01/01/05 at 17:05:03]
I personally would reccommend a wired lav over a camera mounted shotgun.  [/quote]

me too...
 
Re: Critique my setup!

Why do you not want to use a Lav?  it sounds (pun intended) like the best solution in this case.
 
Re: Critique my setup!

Wow, thanks for all the quick replies!

Terry - Thanks for the input on the boom stand. It validated my thought that I might not really need a $90 mic stand. I ordered one from B & H for aboout $30.

Wabbit - Thanks for the advice on vertical vs. horizontal placement. I didn't even think about that.

I also didn't realize the strong feelings about using Lavs in this case. Everyone seems to agree and that means quite a bit.

Readw - To answer your question, I'm looking away from lavs mostly for budget reasons. Outfitting everyone with a lav (sometimes there will be three or four people on camera) seems more cost prohibitive at this point. Plus, even though these are corporate videos, I'd like the mics to be heard but not seen (I realize I may have to get over this...)

Finally, it's just a matter of more equipment to operate as a one man band. With a shotgun on a boom stand, I can always set the camera static and grab the boom off the pole if needed, and any on-camera-mic situations would have the camera within three or four feet.

I am really not opposed to adding a couple of lavs into the mix, but I think I should start with one all around decent compromise and build up.

Any more input is greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone for your comments.
 
Re: Critique my setup!

A quick follow up, your shotgun microphone has a very tight polar pattern (small sweet spot) and to get it on 3 to 4 people will be quite a chore. Not knowing how much control you have of how the interviews are conducted your best bet is to reduce the number of interviewees to at most 2 at a time. If you can't do this or afford the lavs you might do better to get 2 hypercardiod mics to hang over their heads. There are other "solutions" but they mostly involve the use of more and different microphones.

The best solution is the most obvious, a boomperson. If the interviewees are all seated it would take only a little practice for a novice to get competent at booming this. A friend that can be had for cheap or maybe a local college student could help. They can help you with carrying and setting up gear Plus, you will look more impressive with 2 people doing the production then just one.

Keeping your production high quality while keeping your budget low is always a tricky balancing act. ;)

Good luck!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top