Shotgun Mic Question

[MrSpiderpigbegins]

Hey, I'm new to the forum and also to filmmaking and I am need to know a little bit about shotgun mics that I'm going to be using in a documentary. How good is a shotgun mic when using it for interviewing, do you have to have it mounted on a moc boom or the camera itself, or can you hold it in your hand when doing the interview. Also whats the "range" on a lets say Rode video mic, can you have the mic mounted on a camera and have the camera 2(6),3(9),4(12) or 5(15) meters(feet) away?

Thanks in advance

[HueyNRolf]

It will work at those distances but you'll get horrible signal to noise. Best to boom as close as possible, just out of frame.

[Janke]

Contrary to what other people suggest, I've successfully used a shotgun on-camera, provided the talent is no more than 6 ft away. Works better outside (no wall echos) and with a proper wind shield (furry!)

[vadis]

I've successfully used a shotgun on-camera(furry!)

"Successfully" can have various interpretations.

[HueyNRolf]

Contrary to what other people suggest

So boompoles are BS? Boom ops are con men?

I know you're smart enough to understand SnR, Janke. I don't get why you keep insisting that camera mounting a shotgun is good practice, when I know that you know better.

[MrSpiderpigbegins]

So how well would it work if I used it as a handheld mic when interviewing people?

[eiker_ir]

i've done that in the past, works pretty well, skip to about 1:33



still, on a boompole or in a stand are the best choices for the more traditional interviews

[Janke]

I don't get why you keep insisting that camera mounting a shotgun is good practice, when I know that you know better.

I never said it was "good practice", but if you shoot alone, run-and-gun documentary style, it's practically impossible to use a boom. Note what I said: "Contrary to what other people suggest, I've successfully used a shotgun on-camera" - that of course applies only to situations where it works. In other instances, where I must, I use lavs.

"Successfully" can have various interpretations.

Agreed. In my case, "successfully" means good enough audio to be approved by the broadcaster, not that it couldn't be better...

on a boompole or in a stand are the best choices for the more traditional interviews

Agreed. But you don't run around with that stuff! Your video shows one of the more difficult situations, a very noisy environment. A camera-mounted mic would be much worse, there. I tend to shoot in much quieter surroundings...

[MrSpiderpigbegins]

Looks like it would fit my needs perfectly! And since I'll most likely will do alot of run-and-gunning it seems like a very good alternative. So wich shotgun mic would you recommend? I've looked at the Rode mics and they seem very solid.