Joel Servetz
Forum Replies Created
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You certainly need the small mixer to manage all the levels. You can’t possibly operate two cameras at once unless one is just locked down on a wide shot of either the panel or audience and you operate the other. If those are your only mics then put the lavs on the panel, put the omni on the floor stand and let it do double duty for the intro and audience questions. Instruct whoever is hosting to insist that questioners step to the floor mic. Use the on-camera shotgun as backup. You’ve gotta work with what you’ve got.
Joel Servetz
RGB Media Services, LLC
Sarasota, Fl
videobyjoel@aol.com
http://www.rgbmediaservices.com -
Sorry, but I’ve got to frown at the Grinner :(. Justin, the durability and versatility of truly professional equipment will pay for itself many times over in any number of scenarios, from run n’ gun to interview sets, etc. My Lowel Pro-Light on-camera lights have stood the test of time and lots of abuse in places as varied as banquet halls, Central American rain forests, construction sites, cardiac operating rooms, etc., etc. There are lots of times when inexpensive substitutes for “the real thing” can serve your purposes, but only professional-grade equipment will give you consistent, long-term professional results, as well as branding you as a professional in the eyes of your clients and collaborators. I have lighting instruments that have been in service for 20+ years and going strong. That’s a good investment. Save your money and buy the real thing. Save the headlight for camping trips and fixing the plumbing under your sink.
Joel Servetz
RGB Media Services, LLC
Sarasota, Fl
videobyjoel@aol.com
http://www.rgbmediaservices.com -
$100 – $200 won’t get you anything of professional quality. At that level there are some lights and battery packs from Bescor and a couple of others, but I would suggest saving up for something of professional quality that is durable and controllable.
Joel Servetz
RGB Media Services, LLC
Sarasota, Fl
videobyjoel@aol.com
http://www.rgbmediaservices.com -
What’s your budget? I’ve got my eye on the Lightpanels Sola ENG. I haven’t seen one yet but the specs look like it’s the first light on the market that might actually replace my Lowell Pro light. The only caveat I see is that it only comes with a power tap connector, although I’m told they’re working on a new version with detachable power cables for other sources. Has anyone out there bought one yet?
Joel Servetz
RGB Media Services, LLC
Sarasota, Fl
videobyjoel@aol.com
http://www.rgbmediaservices.com -
The key phrase here is “reputable dealer.” I’ve dealt for many years with B&H and for my money they’re the best in the business.
Joel Servetz
RGB Media Services, LLC
Sarasota, Fl
videobyjoel@aol.com
http://www.rgbmediaservices.com -
Thanks Mike. I did that and the computer sees the device and says the driver is the most current one, but Vegas can’t capture or preview from that device. No problem with the camcorder, it works fine. They’re both about equally old. The program sees the device but doesn’t properly identify it and won’t open it.
Joel Servetz
RGB Media Services, LLC
Sarasota, Fl
videobyjoel@aol.com
http://www.rgbmediaservices.com -
Mark, you hit the nail on the head with your response. Reading the comments from these other guys makes me glad I gave up weddings for documentary and other work. Like you, I recognized the role of the clergy person of whatever denomination as the manager of the house and the person who set the house rules. I always sought them out, introduced myself and made friends with them, and almost never had a problem. Also like you I used to go to the rehearsal to familiarize myself with the layout and get better aquainted with clergy and participants. They all appreciated it. It’s called professionalism.
The negative comments about the still photographer took me back to went I first got into this business and still photographers were resentful of videographers, seeing us as competitors. I overcame that in every instance by introducing myself immediately to the photographer, bandleader, dj, party planner, matre’d and whoever else worked the event. In this way I helped to create an atmosphere of teamwork so that we all worked together for the benefit of our mutual customers, the bridal couple and their guests. With this attitude, the photographer and I became instant colleagues who took the trouble to cue each other about shots, and the bandleader/dj assisted as well. Again, it’s called professionalism, an attitude that says I will do my job to the best of my ability wjile respecting and valueing the role of the other professionals who are sharing the same workspace.
The guys with the tough, bad-ass, self-important, screw you I’ll do as I please attitudes are will unfortunately always be among us and good professionals like you will always have to undo the damage they do to our profession.Joel Servetz
RGB Media Services, LLC
Sarasota, Fl
videobyjoel@aol.com
http://www.rgbmediaservices.com -
Are these cameras moving or stationary? My own experience with the lower cost rf transmitters from Supercircuits and others is that they are generally unreliable and easily interfered with. Only high-end transmitters will work reliably. What’s your budget for rentals? If the cameras are stationary, rent a video mixer with loop through monitor outs on each channel, hard-wired to each camera and use any inexpensive monitor on each channel just to see the image from each camera. If you can’t afford to rent a professional wired or wireless intercom system to talk to your camera operators, inexpensive FRS walkie talkies with headsets work just fine. Professional equipment is always better, but if you’re on a tight budget what I described above will work just fine.
Joel Servetz
RGB Media Services, LLC
Sarasota, Fl
videobyjoel@aol.com
http://www.rgbmediaservices.com -
All great advice, so I don’t need to add anything technical, it’s all familiar. The only thing I’ll say is that your original instinct to let them hire the hotel av guy to let them see how crummy it comes out is probably right, because if you take the job and do it right for $500.00, you’re stuck with that price forever.
Joel Servetz
RGB Media Services, LLC
Sarasota, Fl
videobyjoel@aol.com
http://www.rgbmediaservices.com -
Thanks John. Unless I’m mistaken the HDD is only spinning when saving or retrieving a file, so I don’t see why there would be a heat problem
Joel Servetz
RGB Media Services, LLC
Sarasota, Fl
videobyjoel@aol.com
http://www.rgbmediaservices.com