First time filmmaker

S

Stryfe

Active member
Yes I've looked at the new to audio page and have utilized that info. I still need help though.

I'm making my first movie and I want to make sure my audio is great. I'm using a DVX100b and most of my shots are indoors with mostly dialogue. Some scenes contain five characters having one conversation.

I've ordered a ntg-2 shotgun condensor mic, ntg-2 deadcat, shockmount, and I'm making a DIY boompole. Is there anything I'm missing?

Keep in mind I know nothing about audio(though I'm reseaching it heavily). I think I'm supposed to get headphones and xlr cables?

Thank you to anyone that can help me.
 
You definitely NEED headphones. Can't do proper audio without. You can watch your levels all day, but without hearing them, you're walking blind. You need XLR cables to connect the mics to anything, so that's a definite. For great audio, you'll want a mixer with some good preamps to really sweeten the sound, as your camera's pre-amps are going to hold you back a little bit (same on any camera). Sound Devices 302 is basically the standard, though Azden also makes a viable solution for a lot cheaper.
Next, your mics. Shotguns are great for outdoors, have excellent side noise rejection, but can get a little echo when indoors. Hypercardioids are usually in an audio guy's tool kit when shooting indoors, and if you had two of those spread amoung the 5 people talking, you'd probably get better coverage than by using shotguns alone. But you should still be able to make it work.
Also make sure (as i'm not completely familiar with your camera) that you have xlr inputs, whether built in on the DVX100 or through an XLR adapter, like the Juicedlink or the Beachtek. If you get a mixer, you won't need an adapter with pre-amps, so the beachtek would be a cheaper solution in that case. Otherwise, higher end Beachteks or the Juicedlinks have preamps as well, so you could kill two birds there (though a mixer is still a great tool to have.)
Hopefully some of this helped
 
I would say that more than anything else you need a dedicated sound mixer and boom op; preferably ones with experience. Even if you are a seasoned pro with production audio, there's no way that you can simultaneously focus on the audio as well as picture, acting, lighting, etc.

Also give your sound guys enough time to do their job properly. Let them do wild takes and make sure that the rest of the crew stays absolutely silent and still during wild takes and recording room tone. No fidgeting around or texting on their cell.
 
if this "first time" film is for fun, or for learning purposes thats one thing to try to do it yourself.

If this project has anything riding on it, concerned with quality..etc.
You would serve your film greatly in the end to get a qualified sound mixer (soundperson) in
who has their own gear and experience.
 
Assuming as a first timer you won't take the 'hire a sound guy' option I will throw out the next best direction; start (whoever is going to do your audio) with either the DVXUser's Audio DVD or one of the many primer books on production audio, Jay Rose's being the best IMHO. Don't hesitate to get both the DVD and the book. Don't buy any equipment until you have reviewed these primers.

Next, practice, practice, practice. Spend you weekends shooting simple to more complex scenes with a few friends; edit scenes and learn from your mistakes. Consider this your freshman class on filmmaking before you graduate to shooting a complete film.

Good luck
 
Thanks guys I really appreciate it. It's really hard to find anyone with audio experience in small town southern Arkansas. I'm searching though.

I'm researching all your suggestions as well.

I basically want just the simplest yet still effective audio set up available. Since I'll probably being showing a friend how to do it and I'd like to start filming as soon as possible.
 
most of the time, the closer the mic the better

if you only have 1 shotgun mic, it will be hard to hear what everyone says unless they are standing right next to each other or take a large breath in between each time a new person talks (long enough for the mic to be pointed at the person)

if you can, pic up more mics.

if you don't have the $$$ for a field mixer, you can get a "sound board" type mixer for a lot less. some Mackies sell for 10% of the price of a SD 302.

also lav mics don't have the range (highs & lows) of a nice shotgun mic, but most dialogue doesn't have the same spectrum of the Boston Pops, so a couple hidden lav mics might help a BUNCH
 
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