Shotgun or Lapel for Interviews at DVinfo.net

Dana Salsbury · June 25th, 2007, 08:12 PM

I'm doing a series of small carpeted room, controlled-environment interviews. It takes me forever to set up my AudioTechnica wireless lapel (ATW R100x). I also hate risking interference when I don't need to be wireless. I'm leaning toward using my Rode VideoMic shotgun, which would be five feet away from both (seated) speakers. Am I a rebel for thinking this way? Will the sound suffer, or actually improve with the shotgun?

Malameel Shawky · June 25th, 2007, 08:25 PM

I would shoot both on seperate channels. I recently did a last minute interview and only had one shotgun and it worked fine. However, I would have preferred two.
M

Matthew Gore · June 25th, 2007, 08:32 PM

I think it would really be wise to use both the shotgun and the lav.
I find a shotgun a little too roomy unless the placement is just right and many times shots can be too wide for you to work that mic in nice and close.
I think the shotgun is a great back-up for when interference may raise it's
ugly head. It takes a few extra minutes to set up both mics, but it will only take one time for the extra effort to save your butt that you'll never go without it again.

Matt Gore

Peter Rhalter · June 27th, 2007, 07:45 PM

If your subject is stationary, my own preference is to used a wired, not wireless, lav. A 20 foot XLR cable allows for plenty of distance between camera and subject. Use the shotgun, too, by all means.

Best wishes,
Peter
___________________________
Grand Canyon view points guide
http://www.parkfilms.com/gcviewpoints.html

June 25th, 2007, 08:12 PM	#1
Dana Salsbury Major Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 859	Shotgun or Lapel for Interviews I'm doing a series of small carpeted room, controlled-environment interviews. It takes me forever to set up my AudioTechnica wireless lapel (ATW R100x). I also hate risking interference when I don't need to be wireless. I'm leaning toward using my Rode VideoMic shotgun, which would be five feet away from both (seated) speakers. Am I a rebel for thinking this way? Will the sound suffer, or actually improve with the shotgun? __________________ www.LegacyHDV.com Weddings \| Corporate \| HMC150s \| FCPX \| Encore \| Lion

June 25th, 2007, 08:32 PM	#3
Matthew Gore Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Duluth GA Posts: 33	Use Both I think it would really be wise to use both the shotgun and the lav. I find a shotgun a little too roomy unless the placement is just right and many times shots can be too wide for you to work that mic in nice and close. I think the shotgun is a great back-up for when interference may raise it's ugly head. It takes a few extra minutes to set up both mics, but it will only take one time for the extra effort to save your butt that you'll never go without it again. Matt Gore

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June 25th, 2007, 08:25 PM	#2
Malameel Shawky Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 68	I would shoot both on seperate channels. I recently did a last minute interview and only had one shotgun and it worked fine. However, I would have preferred two. M

June 27th, 2007, 07:45 PM	#4
Peter Rhalter Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 192	If your subject is stationary, my own preference is to used a wired, not wireless, lav. A 20 foot XLR cable allows for plenty of distance between camera and subject. Use the shotgun, too, by all means. Best wishes, Peter ___________________________ Grand Canyon view points guide http://www.parkfilms.com/gcviewpoints.html