Recording dialog while people are running?

mjjason

mjjason

Well-known member
Simple question: What is a good method to record dialog while people are running?

Would ADR be the only option or would a shotgun mic on a boompole with enough windprotection be enough (I doubt it but I am struggling here)?

Also, I do not have access to a wireless, but if I did would the wireless pose any noise and wind issues?

Thanks
 
I've covered running scenes with both lav and boomed mic. But, with the boom you run the risk of picking up an extra set of footsteps (the boom op running next to the actor). (And probably more of the crew too.)

A lav will probably help a lot, but you will need to tape everything down very carefully to avoid the jiggle noises.

Phil
 
running where? outside on a road/pavement/ sidewalk? outside in the woods/fields? Indoors down a hallway/large room? And how far of a run is this 1 minute, 5 minutes, the Boston Marathon? The NFL records people running with a wire, but generally there isnt any audio...not that there couldnt be? But you know it can be done with a little analysis!
 
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Narrative or documentary? Boom will totally impractical if the shot is wide as would be expected for documentary work. For narrative you could get the dialog with a boom in the close ups.

Wireless would work best in the hair for this as the clothing noise would be overwhelming. Some moleskin colored with a sharpie to match hair will provide some wind protection but a running pace combined with anything but a light breeze will defeat it. Mini hair clips can do a pretty good job of keeping the lav in place if the subject has enough hair and doesn't get too sweaty.

No guarantees but you might have to just fly by the seat of your pants when you get there.

Good luck
 
Its running in the woods and on streets with back and forth between two actors. No real wide shots. Mostly just close-ups as the actors run and talk with each other. I'll try it boomed first and see what sound I can get. Then I may try ADR or at worse case I'll have to find someone to rent wireless mics from.
 
what is the cmera on
usually lavaliers , the boom is almost imposible if it rustle to much , adr
 
If the camera is handheld or on a stedicam rig you now have probably 3 extra sets of footsteps along with your actors. If you want to boom the scene and avoid the extra noise you could always have a bicycle towing a small trailer that can carry the camera op and sound op/boom guy, or use a golf cart but they tend to be a bit noisey as well.
 
The camera department are your biggest worry, they will go to the noisiest lengths to get a smooth shot. if its a pnumatic or tracked dolly, then you'll have at least the operator and the grip to talk nicely to, if its a steadycam or handheled, then you'll have heards of camera people running too.. best way is radios - use those rycote stickies with maybe the little fluffy wind covers to soften the contact with the mic and the clothing.. if you manage to secure all the cabling well, you stand a slim to half chance of recording near usable sound.

very difficult shot, i've seen it done in big budget things where no doubt they would have the crew on a silent moving platform of some kind.
 
Well If we see them from the front . Maybe you can try to hook the mic on the camera if it will be close enough. Foot steps are not that bad while running ,you can't really tell if there are two or three people running in the woods. It just needs to be rehearsed many times before everyone can work together.
 
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