Help me with advice!

Doc Bernard

Doc Bernard

Indie Arms Member
Got a problem and yes this will be a cross post between forums. I have an issue that needs a solution fast.

I am currently on a reality show that will be airing on national TV. The "production company" is a non-profit. The production staff really didn't think about the audio aspect. I am, as of right now, the audio supervisor/lead for the show. But I need to find a guy with 2 complete rigs of wireless lavs (6 ea.), mixers, multitrack recorders for 300-400 a day.

Talk to me (and I know what you are going to say), is this reasonable? I am pushing for the show to buy the gear, I have quotes for about 7-8k per rig.

We just lost the former lead audio ($$ issues) and I have been deemed the new one.

HELP! Believe me, I already know what you are going to say (I have already said it to the Executive Producer), so don't rip into me.
 
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What are the alternatives? you either rent for the going rate, get a sound pro and pay the going rate, or you invest in your future smash hit TV show and sell it after production wraps and recover 75% of the dough.
 
just my opinion, but concidering most mixer rates are more than you're quoting for mixer AND gear...
you're going to have a tough time filling the position with guys that can "handle" 6 wires in a run an gun situation.
6 wires and a real recorder, you're never gonna find it for that.

Time to figure out a different approach in my opinion.



Doc Bernard said:
Got a problem and yes this will be a cross post between forums. I have an issue that needs a solution fast.

I am currently on a reality show that will be airing on national TV. The "production company" is a non-profit. The production staff really didn't think about the audio aspect. I am, as of right now, the audio supervisor/lead for the show. But I need to find a guy with 2 complete rigs of wireless lavs (6 ea.), mixers, multitrack recorders for 300-400 a day.

Talk to me (and I know what you are going to say), is this reasonable? I am pushing for the show to buy the gear, I have quotes for about 7-8k per rig.

We just lost the former lead audio ($$ issues) and I have been deemed the new one.

HELP! Believe me, I already know what you are going to say (I have already said it to the Executive Producer), so don't rip into me.
Click to expand...
 
i would be interested in hearing what gear you were quoted for only 7-8 K..
including a 7 channel mixer (1 for boom) 6 wires, and a 8 track recorder.
 
Agreed, but I wanted to hear it from others as a confirmation that I wasn't full of it. Between a rock and a hard place with this.

I am sitting down with the EP tomorrow and lay it out point blank. He is going to have to pay, one way or another.

Nothing like leaving it to the last minute.
 
whats your other options?

I'd skip the multitrack, trust in your mixers to do their job sending a 2 track mix (split if needed)
i really see no other way in that budget.

Even then its still WAY low for 6 wires AND a sound person.
 
In order to protect my contacts, I won't say where or who. But the wireless gear was going to be Senn G2 Evo's with a 8 space racks/booster (sharkfin and uni antennas). Standard Mackie mixers (not the best but doable) DA88/98 DTRS recorders, 4 chan field mixers for eng type work. NTG2 shotguns on booms
 
so its not run an gun then.
that will cut costs..but still tough rate wise and
that your sound person will be non mobile.
 
That is why I went with the Senns. Easy to flip to run and gun, which there will be small groups of one/two that will split off and be that style of field mixing. In this situation, we will have to mix to the camera. Not optimum, but passable with a good set of ears. Eventually it will devolve into all run and gun.
 
You could get 3 cameras [DVX, HVX, HPX type camera w/ limiters] and record into to them from the G2s. That would give you mobile run & gun, not the best, but in a pinch, it could work.
 
Doc Bernard said:
That is why I went with the Senns. Easy to flip to run and gun, which there will be small groups of one/two that will split off and be that style of field mixing. In this situation, we will have to mix to the camera. Not optimum, but passable with a good set of ears. Eventually it will devolve into all run and gun.
Click to expand...

tough situation, All i can say is i hope ur being compensated well enough to deal with this. Just remember, if somehow you make it work they are going to
think its ok to do this again in the future.


good luck with it.
 
That's where this is going to have to go, I am afraid. But now to explain to the EP that we need this equipment.

Oh, I never said I wasn't going to bit** and complain the whole way about how this is not the way to do this properly.
 
Doc Bernard said:
Got a problem and yes this will be a cross post between forums. I have an issue that needs a solution fast.

I am currently on a reality show that will be airing on national TV. The "production company" is a non-profit. The production staff really didn't think about the audio aspect. I am, as of right now, the audio supervisor/lead for the show. But I need to find a guy with 2 complete rigs of wireless lavs (6 ea.), mixers, multitrack recorders for 300-400 a day.

Talk to me (and I know what you are going to say), is this reasonable? I am pushing for the show to buy the gear, I have quotes for about 7-8k per rig.

We just lost the former lead audio ($$ issues) and I have been deemed the new one.

HELP! Believe me, I already know what you are going to say (I have already said it to the Executive Producer), so don't rip into me.
Click to expand...

next time its better find before you shoot people dont like work for pinuts rent gear ,make your producers to be asound guys for free:-)
 
by the way the gear you want cost about 800usd( 2 deva /788 with 6 wireless) a day and about 10 grand mountly , so 400 is something that normal person will never look for incl his work .
the real sum is about 750-850 for soundman per day to get what you need .
.
 
Send your executive producer to Coffey Sound or Trew Audio and have them look at the standard rental rates for ENG kits - they both have prices listed directly on their sites. That will give you a good reference point for the cost of the equipment.

Okay, I just went to Coffey and here's what they list for their "standard" reality kit (remember, this is equipment only):

REALITY SOUND PACKAGE
Daily: $500 Weekly: $2,000

Package includes: (1x) 4 or 5 Channel Mixer, (1x) Beta Breakaway Cable, (4x) Wireless Systems w/ lavs, (1x) Boom Mic Kit (Shotgun Microphone, Boom Pole & Softie) , (2x) Wireless Camera Links, (1x) IFB System w/ 1 Transmitter and 4 Receivers w/ earpieces, (1x) Headphones
Click to expand...

Hope this helps.

Phil
 
For what it's worth I would also go with some kind of file based recorder over a DA-88/ 98/ 78. You will have issues down the line as that format is quickly disappearing from post and tape is going to get or has gotten a lot harder to find. Plus it's a real time transfer. You would be MUCH better off with BoomRecorder or Metarecorder or the SD eight track recorder etc. Post will HATE getting DA-88 tapes and may have to rent a deck just to transfer them. I have one that I have back in it's box. I haven't used it for five years.
 
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