8mm Forum: Sound film - family documentary

This is topic Sound film - family documentary in forum 8mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://8mmforum.film-tech.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=003694

Posted by Gabriel Borner (Member # 897) on May 12, 2008, 03:24 PM:

Hello!
I´m doing a small documentary about my closest family. It´ll consist of a interview circle, ie 12 people will be asked to put a (single) question to another family member choosen at random. The question can be about anything and is more a way to capture the family in a kind of standardized fasion. I will film on Kodak K40 sound carts. Each interview will be restricted to one cart and in a single shot. Interviews will take place outdoor in the summer. I will fade in and leave the camera and come back after 3 min 10 sec. I will use an Elmo 1012 Xls kamera and shooting at 18 fps.
Questions:
How would You mic the people? A single microphone in the middle or microphones on the body and mixer? Recommendations for microphones?
To spare film I´ll use non-sound carts for the texts and around footage. Has anyone experience with striping companys like EVT magnetics? Prices? Are there more companies out there? Other comments?
Regards, Gabriel

Posted by Douglas Meltzer (Member # 28) on May 12, 2008, 07:11 PM:

Gabriel,

What a great project! I'm a little confused about the shot. Is it a wide shot of 12 people, or a close up of each individual answering the question? If the shot consists of just one person, you have a couple of choices. You can set up a boom on a stand with a shotgun (or hypercardioid) mic just out of frame. You can also put a lavalier on your subject.

Placing a mic in the middle of the circle will give you poor quality sound. It's best to get that mic as close to your subject as possible.

Doug

Posted by Gabriel Borner (Member # 897) on May 13, 2008, 04:44 AM:

Hello!
Thanks for Your reply!!
No it´s a imaginary "circle" like a relay so the shots will capture 2 persons I guess sitting pretty close - like in a news studio or something. ...lavalier?
Btw today I´ve been doing some test shots with my Nikon R10. Hadn´t really tried out any of the trick functions before. They seem to work but are somewhat like the ladies pouring up food at work. Only that and that goes together and You must plan exactly what to order.
Take care! Any other suggestions somebody?
,g

UBB.classic^TM 6.3.1.2