2.2: Audio

There are several problems you can run into with audio while filming, including the following...

  • Poor quality microphone on your camera
  • Subject not close enough to your camera microphone
  • Too much background noise

Here are a few things to consider when capturing audio:

  • It may be best to capture audio separate from video. For example, if you want to show a farmer setting up and operating a cultivator, you can film the farmer doing this work, making adjustments to the equipment, driving the equipment, etc. (without doing any talking if their face is in the shot as the mouth and sound will not match up in the final piece). Then videotape the farmer reading the script that goes along with the visual piece in a separate shot. Capture the audio portion in a quiet, protected location. During editing only the audio will be taken from this piece and overlaid with the video portion to create a clearer, more professional video. (One thing you will need to pay attention to is keeping the video and audio portions of similar length.)
  • Always shoot audio in a protected location. It is much easier to do this in the field than to try to fix it through the editing process. Try to keep all your audio pieces consistent: if possible, film them in the same location with the same camera and at the same distance from the speaking subject.
  • Work out a script with the presenter in advance, and ask the presenter to practice the script before the shoot. Some presenters need full sentences written out and others just bullet points; very few presenters can speak effectively without any scripted support. Bring easel pads and write out bullet points with marker and tape those to a wall or have an assistant hold them up in view of the speaker.
  • Ask speakers to pause between ideas/sentences so they complete them and there is time between the ideas and sentences to edit the audio.
  • Buy an inexpensive lavalier mic (available for around $30 at Radio Shack) or a wireless mic ($150+)
  • You can also shoot audio in the field-- if it works out well the field audio can be used instead of the protected location audio, but don't count on that.
  • ALWAYS shoot video separate if subject is far from camera!
  • ALWAYS start capturing video and audio 10 full seconds before the action or audio starts, and ALWAYS continue capturing video and audio 10 seconds after it is over. You need this additional footage for the editing process.