Brand Newbie Camera Question

[Norfolkadam]

Basically me and a few friends have been writing a few screenplays for short films and as students we don't really have much (nay, any) money.

As a result we have managed to fashion a boom mic from a cheap shotfun mic, a telescopic painters pole and some extension cables. We also have a tripod attatched to a bit of wood on wheels for tracking shots the only thing we don't really have is a half decent camera.

We would be perfectly happy using the camcorder we have but it only has USB output and composite output so there's not way to connect it to our boom mic.

Does anyone have any advice on how to record sound from the boom mic to the film? Should we record the sound seperately using a laptop attatched on set or should be try and connect the mic to the camera or shoud we buy a new camera?

 

[karisrou]

It might be hard to find a camera with the XLR input (to connect the mic with) for under 1000 dollars, and I'm assuming that might be too much for you. I've never used one of these before, but I have friends that swear by them: http://www.samash.com/webapp/wcs/st...r_-1_10052_10002_-49984380_cmCategorySA182448

Those might work really well for being in the field.

-Nick

 

[Analog_Addict]

The very cheapest way is to buy a second hand Minidisc recorder and grab a pair of wooden blocks to use as a clapper. Then you can sync it all up in post.

Obviously though, it may be a bit of a faff.

What model of camera do you own at the moment?

 

[CDCosta]

If your Mic has an XLR output, you could try and find or rent a cheap mixer and hook the mixer to a laptop and sync in post.

You can also buy an XLR to Mini adapter(est. $10-$20) and hook it straight to a laptop.

If your Mic is a 3.5mm then you can go straight to the computer and record, which would be the cheapest way.