[Gilles Gagnon]

thanks again Mark,

I’ll take your advice on the Rode on a stand. Hopefully it won’t be too obtrusive. I hadn’t heard about those boundary mics. Just looked it up… very interesting. I’ll have to investigate this later.

It’s a 1/2 day (a long half!) and I don’t have a monitor. so off I go squinting. 🙂

[Gilles Gagnon]

Thanks Alan,

My best audio comes from a lav on one camera. So I can’t have it stopped while the Speaker is speaking. I think I can get away with signaling her before the tapes run out and do a switcheroo.

[Gilles Gagnon]

I don’t know how do sync the 2 using timecode. I’ll look into it if I have time before the gig.

[Gilles Gagnon]

The presentation is quite informal so I will be able to sync the tape change with the Speaker. As mentioned below, my main audio which I can depend on will be from the lav mic, therefore, the cam can’t be changing tapes while the Speaker speaks.

Thanks Chip, I’ll shoot 60i to get the crisp look. This will likely be viewed on computers in the end.

[Gilles Gagnon]

The presentation is quite informal so I will be able to sync the tape change with the Speaker. As mentioned below, my main audio which I can depend on will be from the lav mic, therefore, the cam can’t be changing tapes while the Speaker speaks.

Thanks Chip, I’ll shoot 60i to get the crisp look. This will likely be viewed on computers in the end.

my plan is to use 3 tapes (for each camera) in all.

[Gilles Gagnon]

good questions Chip,

it’s to be about 2.x hours. so I’ll have to switch tapes.

A lecture of about 1.5 hours followed by a .5 to .75 hour Q&A.

I was going to signal the speaker at the -7min tape mark and at the -3 minute. then, switching the tapes while there is a short break.

Am I best to record at 30p or 60i? (i’m not going for film-look)

Gilles

[Gilles Gagnon]

Thanks for these in-depth instructions Mark!

I feel much more confident going into this gig armed with this info and techniques. Chock full of ides!

I’m off to buy some gaffer’s tape tomorrow and I’ll be sure to add some of that medical tape too.

It’ll be interesting because the only “good” audio for the Speaker I’ll be getting is the one from the lave mic on her. Other than that, I’ll have the built-in camera mics on the DVXs. I do have a small Rode shotgun mic which I guess I can mount on the roving/operated camera but I won’t be within 6 ft from the Speaker so I’m not sure how effective it will be.

Thanks a million! I still have some anxiety which I hope will dissipate before the end of the gig 🙂

Gilles

[Gilles Gagnon]

AThanks SO much Grinner and Mark with your VALUABLE input!

It spurred some questions:

Q1:
Grinner, I don’t quite understand what you mean by: “As far as roving, don’t rob yourself of a cutaway by walkin’ while he’s talkin’s far as roving, don’t rob yourself of a cutaway by walkin’ while he’s talkin'” can you explain please?

I’ll be using the shotgun mic approach mounted on the roving camera. It’s a very small audience of 12. They will be seated “U” formation and I am to hopfully capture some of the conversations which take place between the members as they discuss the questions put forth. I was thinking of having a mic on a mic stand in the “middle” of the “U” to capture the audio interaction.

MARK: thanks for the tip on doing “whip” zooms and pans. In my newbie way, I would have used slowish moves but what you suggest is much better.

Q2. Mark, what sort of cutaways would you take BEFORE the event as you suggest?

Thanks also for the tip on the PPT/Speaker exposure problem. Great Heads-up! this is exactly what it will be.

Q3. should I use automatic Iris in this case since on the roving cam I will sometimes pan as I follow the speaker who will walk in front of the “screen”?

Q4. Is the best way to sync the cams to use a camera flash?

and Mark, just to confirm, you’re suggesting locking down one camera, straight-on, while I rove with the other and perform various shot styles with it correct?

Q5. re: 2 mics with low and hi level respectively. Does this configuration mean that I will not have ‘great audio” the majority of the time on either channel when vol is not too high, not too low?

Q6. What is the best way to ensure that the lav mic will not pickup rubbing noise, etc. What is the best position, are there any tricks so I don’t have to interrupt the presentation due to bad mic-ing? (using Sennheiser G2 wireless lav)

PS> yes I will have the slides to cut in with.

I can’t tell you how appreciative I am of your help.
Gilles

[Gilles Gagnon]

Thanks for the input!

Gilles

[Gilles Gagnon]

Thanks Ty,

I’ll have a look at the AT but as you both said, the Sony seems like the way to go. I may just bite the bullet and get those.

Thanks!
Gilles