Audio Recording
Clear, quality audio recording is just as crucial as video. As they constantly reiterated in film school, a viewer will tolerate a low quality image far more than they will tolerate low quality audio.
All Double Knot video shooter should employ these critical strategies for quality audio:
1. Own and use wireless lavs (see links below) for ceremonies, toasts, interviews, or letter readings.
2. Use a camera-mounted shotgun mic for all other times.
3. Continuously monitor audio through headphones, especially when using the wireless lav mics. I like to use a single earbud so I can remain aware of my surroundings and not get too hot.
4. Record a voice memo on your phone near a speaker of the ceremony and toasts as a last chance backup. Do this every time as you never know when there will be frequency interference or a battery death during these crucial moments.
Churches often have the speakers mounted to the ceiling or high on the walls. If so, place your phone recording near the spot where most of the dialogue will happen, and make extra sure you have at least two wireless lavs recording.
As a final note, cameras will often record NO audio, not even from the internal microphone, if a wireless lav is plugged into the microphone jack but not turned on. And wireless lavs often have interference and loose connections. This is why it is absolutely critical to record backups on your phone during ceremonies, toasts, interviews, and letter readings.
Not recording clear audio according to these guidelines could result in removal from the Double Knot shooter lists.
Relevant Links:
