Ironman video shoot : good shotgun mic ? at DVinfo.net

Ken Beals · October 12th, 2012, 01:11 PM

Will be following one of the competitors in an upcoming Ironman race and would like to capture as best audio while run and gun mode to give you the feel of the up close and personal of this individual as he huffs, puffs and splashes through the race.

Am using the Panasonic AG-AC160 mounted on Glidecam and at times will be recording from the back of motorcycle.

Is there an external mic i can mount on this camera that is capable of capturing the sounds of struggle this one individual will be expressing audibly as well as detect to a degree the ambient of the "fray" of other competitors he'll be in the midst of ?

thanks,

KC

Steve House · October 12th, 2012, 03:45 PM

Depends on how far you are away from the subject you're following. Contrary to legend, shotgun mic's are not "telephotos for sound" in that they do NOT reach out and capture distant sounds. They are no more sensitive to faint distant sounds than would be any other mic - what they are is LESS sensitive to sounds arriving from the sides and rear than they are to sound arriving from the front, making it possible to partially isolate desired sounds from ambient noises. But the situation you describe where he is in a group of competitors is going to be difficult as they are all in same general direction from the mic. Would a wireless on the competitor be out of the question?

Ken Beals · October 12th, 2012, 05:02 PM

Appreciate your responding Steve.

Going to try and be as close as possible yet am not sure what the challenges will be as it effects proximity.

The wireless mic might not be practical since some of the course is in water.

Steve House · October 13th, 2012, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Beals

Appreciate your responding Steve.

Going to try and be as close as possible yet am not sure what the challenges will be as it effects proximity.

The wireless mic might not be practical since some of the course is in water.

Knew about the swimming part but didn't know if there was enough of a break between the water course and the land portion where they change clothes and a wireless transmitter could be fitted. For good pickup with a normal 'gun you need to be within 3 feet or so unless he's shouting and I doubt you'll be able to get that close during the events without interfering with the other competitors.

I've been looking over the Ironman rules and they seem to prohibit media (among others) from following alongside the competitors ... from the Ironman World Championship site "...Friends, family members, coaches, media or supporters of any type may not bike, drive or run alongside athlete ... and should be warned to stay completely clear of all athletes to avoid disqualification. It is incumbent upon each athlete to reject immediately any attempt to assist, follow or be escorted..." This could strongly impact your coverage planning..

Brian P. Reynolds · October 13th, 2012, 03:51 PM

Get the best quality shotgun mic available to you, Senni 416, Rode NTG3 (not NTG 1-2) etc put a good quality furry windscreen on the mic and run the camera on AUTO level, get as close as possible shooting on a wide lens for stability.
If you were wanting to shoot in stereo use the Sennheiser 418 or Audio Technica stereo shotgun mics
There is not much more than you can do than that..... the results should be good.

October 12th, 2012, 01:11 PM	#1
Ken Beals Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tempe, Az Posts: 170	Ironman video shoot : good shotgun mic ? Will be following one of the competitors in an upcoming Ironman race and would like to capture as best audio while run and gun mode to give you the feel of the up close and personal of this individual as he huffs, puffs and splashes through the race. Am using the Panasonic AG-AC160 mounted on Glidecam and at times will be recording from the back of motorcycle. Is there an external mic i can mount on this camera that is capable of capturing the sounds of struggle this one individual will be expressing audibly as well as detect to a degree the ambient of the "fray" of other competitors he'll be in the midst of ? thanks, KC __________________ Mediocrity is a disease...

October 12th, 2012, 03:45 PM	#2
Steve House Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,742	Re: Ironman video shoot : good shotgun mic ? Depends on how far you are away from the subject you're following. Contrary to legend, shotgun mic's are not "telephotos for sound" in that they do NOT reach out and capture distant sounds. They are no more sensitive to faint distant sounds than would be any other mic - what they are is LESS sensitive to sounds arriving from the sides and rear than they are to sound arriving from the front, making it possible to partially isolate desired sounds from ambient noises. But the situation you describe where he is in a group of competitors is going to be difficult as they are all in same general direction from the mic. Would a wireless on the competitor be out of the question? __________________ Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!

October 12th, 2012, 05:02 PM	#3
Ken Beals Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tempe, Az Posts: 170	Re: Ironman video shoot : good shotgun mic ? Appreciate your responding Steve. Going to try and be as close as possible yet am not sure what the challenges will be as it effects proximity. The wireless mic might not be practical since some of the course is in water. __________________ Mediocrity is a disease...

October 13th, 2012, 03:51 PM	#5
Brian P. Reynolds Major Player Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 466	Re: Ironman video shoot : good shotgun mic ? Get the best quality shotgun mic available to you, Senni 416, Rode NTG3 (not NTG 1-2) etc put a good quality furry windscreen on the mic and run the camera on AUTO level, get as close as possible shooting on a wide lens for stability. If you were wanting to shoot in stereo use the Sennheiser 418 or Audio Technica stereo shotgun mics There is not much more than you can do than that..... the results should be good.