Getting in FRONT of the camera (for noobs)

W

wheatgrinder

To avoid COMPLETELY hijacking a camera question thread.. http://www.indietalk.com/showthread.php?t=21778 I thought Id start this one.

It seems Im not the only person who doesn't want to see or hear themselves on the screen. However, as small time efforts demand, I may need to get out in front of the camera. Seems some folks have had some acting classes that might help folks like me BREAK through that barrier. Taking the hint, I decided I better "get over it" as soon as possible..

Last night I took the opportunity to film my self really for the first time. As it turns out I'm pleasantly surprised! I believe what helped me was a few key things:

  • Being completely alone
  • Lighting in an interesting if not downright concealing way
  • I spent a good hour or so setting up the "stage" lights, background, filling the room with smoke (Halloween fog machine)
  • Setting up good sound (testing out my new preamp, first time I used external mic)
  • Having something personally interesting to say.

All these activities had a calming effect, as well as a sort of ritual ...

I had to try and set the frame up before I started, so there were lots of mini takes, so in just setting up I sorta got used to seeing my ugly mug on the screen, so when it came time for the actual "take" I just sat down and did it!

It was late when I finished last night, so Ill have to upload my results this weekend. Now, Im not uploading because I WANT to be seen, rather, its the last "barrier" between me and being on screen.
 
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Graeme said:
Well I'm not technically in front of the camera in this clip (well my hand is), I am doing to talking (with ums, and ahs). Perhaps next time I'll write down what I was going to say... (DIY Tripod Dolly Video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYU0yThxY2E
Click to expand...

I know I filmed a test scene with someone talking, and I just thought "eh, I'll use the camera mike". I forgot how much the sound echoed through the room-sounded hollow :lol:

Needless to say, I used a mic after that.

Writing is good, having a good idea...the "um, ah, er" a few times myself. Maybe that's why I still like making dialogue-less films right now ;)
 
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wheatgrinder -

How did you get those lights in the background - looks good.

I cant really critique the video side of things but I can give you some tips on audio if you'd like.

Also, off the subject, my family owns a beach-front cabin on Cannon Beach just outside Astoria. Site of the beach scenes of The Goonies - one of my favorite movies.
 
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For lighting:

off to the side I used 2 "hardware store specials" scoops with daylight CFL bulbs on the same stand. Placed about a foot out of the frame on that side

For the kicker, the light giving the line on my shoulders.. that was above and behind.. it was a
pinspot that I bought for a mirror ball.. one of these. http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/American-DJ-PL-1000-PAR36-Pinspot?sku=803205 (FYI, call your local guitar center and see if they have any in stock, I bought two of these for $30) I stuck on a blue gel to correct it to the daylight aspects of the CFL's (likely overkill but hey!)


In the background, the little lights are Christmas tree lights (blue and white) I think LED my wife got this year.. (after season for about $4)

Oh and smoke from a Halloween smoke machine from the thrift store.. I consider this lighting as it does provide some fill.. when its working. .


Hey ROC, did you know Canon Beach had a tsunami warning last week! Hope your house is still there. ;)

About the audio..

This was my first NON Camera mic usage, you should know that Iv been into home audio recording for about 10 years, so I have some gear and experience. That said, this was a new chain for me..

Nady DMP-2 (battery powered preamp with phantom power) CHEAP price.. might be a good alternative to the JuicedLink ($50 vs $250) sure I could have used one of my other premaps that I know have line level out, but all of those have to be plugged in to the wall, Im trying to get a battery only solution for outdoor filming..

For mic I used an Octava 012 small dia. condenser with cardioid element. Great mic from my recording studio.

The preamp has xlr OUTS, so I tried a hosa XLR -> 3.5mm stereo adapter into the mic in of the camera..

On top of this being a new signal chain for me, I'm still learning the camera!

I believe that because this was the first time I brought all these elements together, what resulted was a hissy recording, in post I passed it through a low pass filter until most the hiss was gone.

When I was recording I couldn't find the mic input level adjust (it has one, i since found it!) so I think this was just a typical gain problem, but Iv not proved it yet.. )

If its a impedance mismatch, I will use my passive DI between the PREAMP XLR out and the camera 3.5mm mic in.
 
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Yeah - I heard it was muffly and at the same time hissy and it probably is your gain stage.

How far was the mic from your mouth?

Canon Beach seems fine - I googled it.

Anyways, good work.
 
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