Honduran Documentary

A

AKnight

New member
Hello there. I am working as a project supervisor this summer for the non-profit group AMIGOS (amigoslink.org) and have been charged with creating some training videos for future volunteers and a new promotional video. I have made one documentary before with the dvx100 and love it, but I have some questions.

Southern Honduras can be a sketchy place and I want to keep the camera protected from damage and/or theft. I will be traveling from community to community with a back packing back pack. Any ideas on what I should carry it in? How can I be discrete?

It is also VERY humid down there. Should I take this into consideration?

Lastly, I am going to need two wireless lapel mics. Does this mean I need to buy a dual channel system? Any recommendations for wireless lapel systems?

I have a little experience, but am still a newbie so any info helps. Thanks a million.

AKnight
 
I spent quite a bit of time in Nicaragua, and El Salvador, both can be very sketchy places as well. I would highly recommend insurance, especially something that offers you full coverage against theft, damage etc with no deductable. Silica packs are pretty useful as well, keep them stuffed in your camera bag and be sure to avoid jumping from cool air conditioned climates to the hot humid outdoor elements, this can seriously mess up your camera. Take an extra charger down, and anything else that you might have as a spare part, if you have an extra camera that might be wise because if your beloved dvx packs it in you're pretty much SOL. Good luck finding a decent repair center in Central America. I carried my gear around in a kata backpack which was great since it could be taken onto the plane and was handy for riding around on buses, backs of pick up trucks etc. It was a discreet way to pack my gear around but the tripod was a dead give away. On the plus side if things got out of hand i always had my Manfrotto tripod to use as a weapon, it never came to that but i'm sure i could inflict some serious damage if need be.

Stay out of sketchy areas and try to have your gear out in daylight hours only, generally people aren't going to jack your shi*t in broad daylight, well maybe they will in El Salvador, but i'm unfamiliar with Hondourus so good luck!
 
I am was born here in the US but my Nationality is Honduran. So i will be quite interested to see this doc. Are you ever going to release it in the internet?
 
Hey there Mr. Knight! Funny finding you here... glad to see you're still planning for your trip. When do you leave?
 
No info about wireless sorry, we used an audio technica , not sure which model, with a full on mixer etc. I was fortunate enough to have an audio guy down there for a bit, but once he fled the country i was forced to use the shot gun set up for my interviews.
 
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hey watson, message me your reduced rates. I'm doing some more work in El Salvador soon, might need another shooter.
 
I got the Non-Profit to throw down about a grand for some Azden wireless mics and a bomb proof case with tapes, silica packs, and other misc stuff. I leave in 2 weeks.

Any last suggestions before I take off? Ian?
 
I'm a new member here, but I'm in Honduras right now working on several projects. I'm originally from Canada and I am trained specifically in film, but I am working in television with several other projects on the go.

I'd be happy to offer advice to you and anyone visiting Central America.

I might also be available to help with any projects people are shooting in Central America as well.

Knight, like another friendly poster mentioned try not to travel around at night. It gets dark here very early (6:00-6:30) and it is the rainy season here too, so plan for that if you are shooting soon.

In daylight you will be okay and the early evenings shouldn't be a problem, but do NOT be out late with your equipment.

Otherwise, have a great trip/shoot!
 
If by "dual system" you mean having the ability to put a lav mic on two people and have their audio clean and separate, yes, you'll need to buy two mics and have them on separate frequencies. Two mics set on the same freq will not work.

The other option is to have two lav mics hard lined, cabled, into an audio mixer and then sent to your camera by wireless or hard line...but that will probably be more expensive for you.

Look into the little Sennheiser G2 series wireless lav mics. They need to be handled carefully. Especially in a third world environment but they will probably fit your price range. Usually around US$500 per mic.

I was based in Nicaragua for ten years shooting news and documentaries all over Central America for both Spanish and English language international broadcast news companies. !996 to 2006. Now back in the states. Surfshooter's advice is on the money. Be smart and be safe.
 
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