mic placement question

S

smpproductions

Well-known member
If shooting a sit down intervew and using a shotgun mic as the main source of audio, should the mic be place overhead or should it be place directly at the subject at a lower angle so that it's not in the shot? In the past I have had the subject holding the shotgun mic at the waist so that it's out of the shot, but i found that some people like to move the mic around as they talk which led to some noise. Any tips would be great.
 
I usually throw the mic on a boom stand and place it overhead. Basically, I treat it the same way as I do for dramatic projects.
 
HorseFilms said:
I usually throw the mic on a boom stand and place it overhead. Basically, I treat it the same way as I do for dramatic projects.
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I second that emotion :)

-Jeremy
 
One question - are your interviews being shot inside or outside? If inside, you really don't want to use a shotgun in any position - you want a hypercardioid or at worst case, a cartioid.

Regardless of the mic, yes, put it on a stand as you would if you were booming. Never have someone hold it - you will get way too much handling noise, and it may distract them from their primary purpose, giving a natural, unforced interview. They can't forget the mic as easily if it's in their hand.

Phil
 
from bellow you will get less reverb in indoors , the problem some people ( like Jews ) are talking with their hands so you have a problem :)
basicly it doesnt matter as long you point the mic to the mouth :)
 
oleg said:
the problem some people ( like Jews ) are talking with their hands so you have a problem :):)
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Olege can get away with that because he is a Jew... Otherwise we get really angry about those comments.

-Jeremy
 
TheYankee said:
Olege can get away with that because he is a Jew... Otherwise we get really angry about those comments.

-Jeremy
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I'd have to disagree with that statement. Unfortunately, some stereotypes are true, such as Jews generally using hand gestures during speach... it's a cultural trait, and as such it should be ok for anybody to say so - not just Jews. Limiting people to making references to things which only occur in their own ethnic background is arguably a more dangerous form of racism than ethnic stereotyping.

No offense, Jeremy, but making a comment like that only serves to stir up the beehive. No comment at all would have been far more appropriate (of course you could probably say the same for me right now!).

Digression aside, I agree with you HorseFilms on the placement of the mic!

-pasty
 
Oleg's statement is just stupid. Jew or not it doesn't belong here.

In different cultures people express themselves using hand gestures during speech. Actually too many to be mentioned here. Also, I've seem many times individuals doing it among cultures that usually don't.
If he wants to refer to that he should have been more clear.
Otherwise he's a bigot.
 
alexdias said:
Oleg's statement is just stupid. Jew or not it doesn't belong here.

In different cultures people express themselves using hand gestures during speech. Actually too many to be mentioned here. Also, I've seem many times individuals doing it among cultures that usually don't.
If he wants to refer to that he should have been more clear.
Otherwise he's a bigot.
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i only could suggest you get humor gin surgery what probably wouldn't solve your problem or start dating with a jew to get some right influence
and sorry i have all the right to make a joke about my race

proud jew
 
thematthewbone said:
quentin tarantino always has to be miced from above...

he is a vicious hand-talker.
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all the mediterranean races usially more emotional - Italians - they are like us( except the food - much much better)
by the way do you know how do you shut up the Jew - you tie his hands :)
 
Thanks for the tips. I have found that ANYONE holding a shotgun mic is not the way to go because of hand gestures....not just Jews, anyone. I do most of my shooting outdoors with the shotgun mic, if I am indoors, I use it as a 2nd mic and my main mic is usually a SM57 or 58 connected to a mixer to boost the levels then sent into my DVX. I was pretty sure everyone would say to place the mic on a boom overhead, so that's what I will be doing from now on.

Thanks Again!
 
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