Action Filmmaking is now a show...

[Nathyn Brendan Masters]

-Nate

[Daniel Rutter]

Why is everyone using the epic meal time music?

[drapeama]

That's nice from you to have put that together, there's a lot of good advises and informations in it.
For a video talking about equipment, you should have used some Lavs, or simply a better mic placement because it sounded echoish all the length of the video, and there was hot spot at the end when the other guy is talking. But on the video parts, there's infos that are useful.
Thanks for sharing.

[Almohada]

I agree with drapeama... it's almost unbearable to watch because of the audio. I just couldn't follow it very clearly. I'm sure that will be a turn off for many viewers. I also had to stop when he started talking about DSLRs. LOL.

[drapeama]

But as I said, there's some nice infos in it. The same video with sound recorded with Lavs would have been 10x better.
For the episode 2 maybe?

[strancali]

Why is everyone using the epic meal time music?

Uhhhh because it's EPIC!

[Nathyn Brendan Masters]

Uhhhh because it's EPIC!

Indeed!

-Nate

[Shaunp007]

Your buddy said the 5D does not have manual audio control and it does. As of firmware 2.0.4 (March 2011) I can select manual or auto audio, and you can adjust the levels on manual.

Just fyi

Are you going to get into how you do effects as the parts go on?

[Nathyn Brendan Masters]

That's nice from you to have put that together, there's a lot of good advises and informations in it.
For a video talking about equipment, you should have used some Lavs, or simply a better mic placement because it sounded echoish all the length of the video, and there was hot spot at the end when the other guy is talking. But on the video parts, there's infos that are useful.
Thanks for sharing.

We used a stand alone recorder because we shot with a DSLR, but there was an annoying hum so I used the audio from the camera. Would've been much better had I used my HG10 and the shotgun mic, but I had to use both in a shot (we shot two episodes, so after the next episode things will be better soundwise). The Flip's audio is much better.

-Nate

[Almohada]

We used a stand alone recorder because we shot with a DSLR, but there was an annoying hum so I used the audio from the camera. Would've been much better had I used my HG10 and the shotgun mic, but I had to use both in a shot (we shot two episodes, so after the next episode things will be better soundwise). The Flip's audio is much better.

-Nate

Haha. I guess that's what happens when you go with DSLR! LOL.... you really should re-shoot this vid or consider dubbing the whole thing. Not good.

[Nathyn Brendan Masters]

Seriously? Is it really that bad? Maybe I could add some kind of filter to the audio.

-Nate

[paperkut12]

Haha. I guess that's what happens when you go with DSLR! LOL.... you really should re-shoot this vid or consider dubbing the whole thing. Not good.

We get it dude, you don't like DSLRs.

[Almohada]

We get it dude, you don't like DSLRs.

I don't care if he shot it on Alexa or RED or whatever. I just meant that the audio is not very great and it's hard to hear. I actually WANT to get a DSLR... but for photography

[Nathyn Brendan Masters]

The other mic wasn't mine so I couldn't test it and in fact didn't even know it was there until the DP to me he had it. The next segment is about sound, but I will certainly let people know I'm actually showcasing the mic in that segment therefore couldn't record the audio with it. But I will try to do better with the audio.

-Nate

[drapeama]

Seriously? Is it really that bad? Maybe I could add some kind of filter to the audio.

It's not the worst audio I've heard, but it was more "amplified" because you were doing some video about equipment, with a "bad" audio track in it...get the point?

We get it dude, you don't like DSLRs.

To each his own, I personally have both a DSLR and an HDV camcorder. One isn't replacing the other, but together they complete well each other. Again, both are simply tools, and everything is in the knowledge, the technique and the experience.
An expensive hammer won't make you a better carpenter.

[Bif]

I don't care if he shot it on Alexa or RED or whatever. I just meant that the audio is not very great and it's hard to hear. I actually WANT to get a DSLR... but for photography

Video is photography. Video is the electronic version of "motion picture" and "motion picture" is photography with a succession of stills and persistence of vision giving us the illusion of motion. I began seeing references to the "line" dividing still photography and motion picture becoming blurred in the 1980's and now that blurring is even more pronounced with some kind of "motion picture" implementation in many cameras, especially DSLRs.

The video we work with is a development stemming from the motion picture industry where the producers, directors, and directors of photography all had to know PHOTOGRAPHY in and out, forwards and backwards, and had to be able to apply principles of photography in every shot, every scene, every part of a motion picture production they had contact with.

What we've had with the HV, HF, and HG series is a consumer oriented application that does allow one to achieve some amazing results without HAVING to have a good solid grounding in PHOTOGRAPHY.

Wanting a DSLR for photography is a valid reason and perhaps a good start. Since most these days are beginning to come with some kind of video implementation, and because you are involved in "motion picture" you should select something like the T2i, T3i, or 60D because Canon still has the lead in DSLR "motion picture" with these models. And any principles of basic photography you learn on that camera will translate to "motion picture" application. You do have to work at it a bit harder.

Just remember this: The things you see in DSLR work that you don't like are not the fault of the equipment. They are the failure of the operators to learn what they can do with it.

Bruce Foreman

[drapeama]

The other mic wasn't mine [..] But I will try to do better with the audio.

As suggested, at least try to get a good Lav, Azden EX-503 or Audio-Technica AT-3350. Both can be bought for around 20-25$. Wear the portable recorder and just get a clean audio from it. Then sync in post will be a breeze, as long as you (at least) slap your hands before, if you're not using a clapper!
Keep it up, I'd like to watch more from you!

By the way, this should be moved into a "Tutorials - Sticky" thread.

[Bif]

The other mic wasn't mine so I couldn't test it and in fact didn't even know it was there until the DP to me he had it.

You can always test. Do a short segment before you start, then since you are using an AVCHD camcorder copy that segment to a laptop computer and use VLC to play it back using headphones on the computer to really hear what it sounds like.

The next segment is about sound, but I will certainly let people know I'm actually showcasing the mic in that segment therefore couldn't record the audio with it. But I will try to do better with the audio.

You can still do it. Boom the mic suspended forward of you and above enough to be out of the frame yet still get clean audio. Record the segment. Then record some "cutaways" showing the mic in closeup (and even how you have it boomed or setup). Use short "cutaways" (with their audio muted) on a second video track so your original audio is left intact.

Remember, mics give best results when placed in close enough.

Bruce Foreman

[Nathyn Brendan Masters]

I do have a Microphone, it's a very reliable Azden, but we shot two shows at once one about video and another about audio (they were meant to be two shows but I realized I hadn't been granted and extended limit on this account yet). I trusted the DPs equipment, but later it simply didn't sound how I wanted. The sound was bad enough for me to go with the camera's audio. If I had shot on the HG10 with the microphone plugged in it would've been fine.

-Nate

[Almohada]

Sorry about the DSLR stuff, I guess I just repeat myself when under stress. I repeat myself when under stress. I repeat myself when under stress. I repeat myself when under stress. I repeat myself when under stress.

Anyone know where that's from without Googling?

Bif, thanks again for all the info. Photography is the key to video/film. No one could have said all that better than you. I do have an SLR, used it a couple times. I need to start using it again, though.

[drapeama]

I do have a Microphone, it's a very reliable Azden...

More infos?

[Nathyn Brendan Masters]

More infos?

You have to wait until episode 2. No, just kidding, it's an Azden SGM-1X. It's what a lot of indie filmmakers were using because it was inexpensive and got great sound. You weren't going to be able to convince the Sony crowd, but a lot of other people loved it. Check out the reviews. And here's a comparison. BTW I use the Beachtek too. BTW Rode Mics are hugely popular now. I like the Sound of the Azden better. I never got that leather case though.

-Nate

[drapeama]

No, just kidding, it's an Azden SGM-1X. [..] BTW I use the Beachtek too. BTW Rode Mics are hugely popular now. I like the Sound of the Azden better.

1) I know, I used to have one until recently. I've sold it, mainly because I wanted to get something a bit more expansive.
2) I own one. I didn't used it since I've got 2x JuicedLink CX211 now, so I benefit from these preamps to get a cleaner sound fed to the recorder.
3) That's exactly what I've purchased, Rode NTG2. From what I've head, it's really better, especially compared to the SGM-1x. But both offers great sound for their respective prices. The Azden is just more "entry-level" but with a bit of processing in post I'm pretty sure it can be matched to other more expensive mics.

[azmyth]

I used the azden sgm 1-x on much of exit 101.. it does sound pretty good. Of course there are better more expensive options, but its def. not bad.

[Nathyn Brendan Masters]

In fact I've had the Azden for years and it's still good. I may upgrade next year, but I'm in no big hurry to switch from this one.

-Nate