The Technical Side of Filmmaking...

[angryliar]

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ADR can be accomplished in many ways for indies. The simpliest would be to playback the video clip on your computer, point the camera's mic to your talent's mouth (but I prefer the chin as it minimizes a lot of probs), do lots of rehearsal then start rolling til you get what you need. Don't forget to playback after your first recording so you have an idea on what you're getting.

Sorry, I don't get the question on the DAT recorder and clapper. Please be more specific. Do they also use a camera during the dubbing session?

Anyway, in essence clapping the slate is necessary only for SYNC audio shooting. The clap isn't necessary on MOS shoots.

Most of you guys know this but I'll say it anyway hoping a new Clapper will be helped. The slate is used for two purpose, first, for clip identification and, second, the clap is the guide for audio synching.

In our productions, the slate is given importance as it helps a lot during post. The camera operator makes sure that the info and the clap is visible. And the clapper announces the info on the slate before he claps the slate. We usually put as much info on the slate as possible. We also apply back slating after important takes, for notes like GOOD TAKE or ALTERNATE.

By the way the slate we use is only a piece whiteboard with a wooden stick attached to it. We pasted small colored papers (Blue, Yellow, Red and Green) at the back of it which we use as color guide during color grading (we shoot this for every lighting setup). It's a little bigger than the usual as we put in more info. It's working well for us so far.

Didn't mean to brag, just trying to be of help.

Best regards...

[MrBiddle]

Oh I was being incoherent, I wasn't talking about a dubbing session. I said, "speaking of dubbing" I was referring to the fact that even if people arent' workign with film, they like to capture sound separately some with the D.A.T. and like you mentioned in another thread using 2 cameras. One will capture the audio, right?

Personally, I see no need for a DAT or separate audio recording but the advantages of it is that maybe if you capture both sound from the DV camera and another source it gives you more than one choice in editorial... and you can shoot froma distance.

[angryliar]

MrBiddle,

The main advantage of using a dedicated audio recording system like the DAT is the stability of info encoded on it. The minidv tape records video, audio, timecode and all other info in a narrow strip of tape, comparing this to the DAT tape that records only audio. And it serves as your backup.

Next, most prosumer cameras don't have XLR connections thus it would be impossible to plug in balanced microphones in these cameras (unless you use XLR connectors like the Beachtek but you still end up with an unbalanced audio input). And that's a disadvantage to the audio recording as it subjects you to all possible interference.

The mini microphone jack provided in these cameras can easily pickup interference. A problem in audio integrity and a problem in post.

Most 3ccd chip cameras allow you to record 16bit at 48kHz, however, if your camera doesnt have this feature and you happen to have a DAT available, use it. As it allows you to capture 16bit audio at 48kHz using balanced microphones and be able to monitor sound during shoots.

Hope this helps.

Best regards...

[MrBiddle]

Posted: Jun 09, 2005 12:34 pm Post subject:

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MrBiddle,

The main advantage of using a dedicated audio recording system like the DAT is the stability of info encoded on it. The minidv tape records video, audio, timecode and all other info in a narrow strip of tape, comparing this to the DAT tape that records only audio. And it serves as your backup.

Next, most prosumer cameras don't have XLR connections thus it would be impossible to plug in balanced microphones in these cameras (unless you use XLR connectors like the Beachtek but you still end up with an unbalanced audio input). And that's a disadvantage to the audio recording as it subjects you to all possible interference.

The mini microphone jack provided in these cameras can easily pickup interference. A problem in audio integrity and a problem in post.

Most 3ccd chip cameras allow you to record 16bit at 48kHz, however, if your camera doesnt have this feature and you happen to have a DAT available, use it. As it allows you to capture 16bit audio at 48kHz using balanced microphones and be able to monitor sound during shoots.

Hope this helps.

Well, now I know that these dedicated audio recording systems aren't as frivolous as I thought them to be.

Thanks.

Keep the posts coming.

[angryliar]

I mentioned in another thread that I have done technical exercises instead of shooting a film right away. These exercises range from 10sec to 2 minute sequence with specific objectives each time.

Some of you might question my excuse, however, I use to belong to a basketball varsity team (btw, I'm a Michael Jordan fanatic). As an athlete, I practice when preparing for a game. I spend long hours focusing on dribbling, jump shots, layups, free throws, etc... and do warm ups and drills before every game.

This is how I want to approach my filmmaking. Though I have production experience before but I still consider myself new to narrative/fiction filmmaking.

Of the exercises or tests I've done some are just so-so while others were very challenging. Below is a list of some of the things I've done.

AUDIO:
-ADR techniques
-Foley techniques
-proper miking techniques
-audio monitoring
-sound design
-And I do lots of scene/sequence breakdown/evaluation

POST:
-Hard & soft cutting
-Cross editing
-Split editing
-Cliffhanging
-Continuity cutting
-Momentum cutting
-3, 4, 5 & 6 point editing
-Soundtrack/dialogue based editing
-Time ramping

LIGHTING:
-Natural lighting using cutters, silks, nets, reflectors(of any kind) and cookies
-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6 point lighting
-Color temp controlling
-Day for night & night for day
-TV, lightning, candle and rain simulation

CAMERA:
-Quick panning
-Rack focusing
-Gliding
-Crisscrossing
-DOF control
-Handholding
-False POV
-False perspective
-Glasshouse perspective
And numerous ways of rigging the camera on cars, bikes, motorcycles, & skateboards

I have also rigged the camera to a talent's head, shoulder, waist and foot (but most of the time the talent is me).

These exercises I do to hone my skills and improve my vocabulary as an audio-visual storyteller. I hope my sharing don't get misinterpreted here.

Please share the preparations, exercises and tests you've made before making your films and let's learn from each other.

Best regards...

[hellweek]

I should learn from you. You know a lot about the technical side. Wow, it must have taken you decades to accomplish these.

There's really a great tendency for people to "misinterpret" or to perceive your sharings in a negative way. Rest assured I personally do appreciate this and hope you continue contributing to this forum.

I'm more interested in motion graphics, though. I find it really hard to be an "expert" in all fields because I really don't have much time to "play".I'm still finishing my degree which is drastically far from audio/video production.

Not wanting to make any hasty generalizations, I just find many local TV productions looking and sounding cheap. I can't stand watching local ABS-CBN Cebu drama shows because it does not meet my expectations. Shows on National TV are sometimes hurriedly done. Look at the way a green screen footage being composited. Poor chroma keying (probably bec. of lighting) and color balancing turn me off.

Anyway, I really plan to enroll IAFT once I graduate from college. I strongly believe in their curicullum and its tuition, although quite high (for local standards), is compensated by its qualified instructors and impressive facilities.

[vanceloma]

preparations I take in filmmaking,

I make sure the talents know what they are gonna be doing.
I do some location test (lighting, audio, movement)

Don't you just hate it that on the last minute, you've prepared all this stuff, then something goes wrong?

That's why there is no such thing as over-preparation.

I always try to have counter-measures after counter-measures.

kanang makalagot ba, magda lang kag camera sa Mall, unya shoot2x lang gud ka,

badlongon dayon ka na "Di pwedi mag shooting dong!"
pero sa unahan naay mga koreano ga shooting2x, wa gyud nila atimana.
Videocam raman ni!!!!

grrr!!!!

just sharing some of my pet peeves.....

[exudos]

HEHEH@ Vic,\

nakasulay nakag gigokod kay nagshoot sa LRT. Heeheheh.

LUCKILY: we planned that in case we'll be dead . we gave them the false tape that our DP placed inside his pocket we still got our shot.. muhahahaha
(* evil roar and thunder from the skies...)

@angryliar.
WOW. more sensei more!.... *drooling

....

[exudos]

ANDREW DURBIN? @ MrBiddle...
I tot u ddnt wnt to film skul.... ^^

[pnoize]

As I see it, I don't think the contributions made here will be misinterpreted. Pardon my silence since IMHO, this is a time for me to read and learn.

Van: how do you do your location test?

Because of my background in photography, I watch how much light gets in the location at specific times , I also look at the density of human and vehicular traffic in the area. In other words, I observe the location, find out what problems may come up during the shoot and how I can possibly control the situation.

Though, we are lucky enough that most of our shoots were done in enclosed properties. I agree when you say that there is nothing wrong with being over-prepared.