LAS VEGAS NAB SHOW - ACTION WAS THERE
This year's NAB show held in Las Vegas had a tremendous turnout with approximately 112,000 in attendance and more than 1600 exhibitors, including representatives from over 40 countries. Action Audio & Visual made a strong showing by sending its staff to review all of the newest audio/visual products sure to interest our valued customers.
Sony launched several new HD Cameras at the show which should appeal to indie filmmakers. They showcased their new solid state SxS memory cameras including the PMW-EX1 with two SxS memory card slots, and its just released big brother — the PMW-EX3 — with its ability to interchange lenses. They also displayed their new Sony HVR-Z7U which takes its ever popular HVR-Z1U to the next level by also offering interchangeable lenses. Action Audio & Visual is excited to now offer all of these cameras in our rental line.
Sound Devices also made a strong showing with the launch of its new 788T hard disk recorder adding four additional tracks to its popular 744T recorder for a total of eight and with eight microphone inputs, four of which are XLR-F and the other four are TA3-F. The 788T will be available later this month in our rental department and is sure to be a big hit.The Hollywood Reporter Interviews Action
Action Audio & Visual President, Richard Mercado, was recently interviewed by The Hollywood Reporter in its recent story "Inside the Work of Sound Mixers." Reporter Chuck Crisafulli wrote: "While film is quite clearly a visual medium, a tremendous part of any movie's impact comes from the effect it has on the auditory sense... The responsibility of creating that sonic world falls to a range of often un-heralded specialists — mixers, editors and sound designers — whose work requires both a technical savvy and an artistic ear."
Mercado: "It can't just be a technical process; there really has to be a creative element. You really want to help a director get his vision across. They may have a sense of what they want, but don't really know how to put it into words. If a director says, 'More driving,' it probably means he wants the pulse of the music up. But you have to listen to what the director is communicating and think about how that translates sonically into the overall mix. And you have to keep in mind that dialogue is king. If you can't hear that, you don't have a story being told."
Click here for the complete article.SOUND ADVICE
Tips for Reducing Clothing Noise when using Lavalier Mics.
Reducing garment noise while using lavalier microphones can be a daunting task. Actors are often placed in wardrobe with little or no regard to the havoc certain fabrics can wreak on the production audio tracks. Here are some tips & tricks I have gained from working with experienced and creative boom operators and utility persons in overcoming this obstacle.
1) Microphone choice: Lavalier microphones with stiff cables tend to conduct more clothing noise to the microphone element. Several microphone manufacturers have made large strides in improving their cables by using a very pliable material coating on the mic cable itself to reduce clothing noise issues. Choose wisely.
2) Buffers: Create a buffer to minimize the noise created when microphones rub against abrasive fabrics. An old technique is to trim a make-up applicator wedge and poke the mic through the center. This can then be attached to an actor using double stick toupee tape to create a cozy buffer between the noisy garment and the mic element. A pre-packaged product called "Hush Lavs" is available in our sales rack that achieves the same goal. Sanken has also made an effective rubber mount called an RM-11 that fits over their COS-11 capsule and effectively dampens clothing scratch.
3) The "Newsman's Noose": This is an even older trick that helps to reduce the "microphonic" qualities of a microphone cable. By tying a small loose knot or "noose" in the cable just below the mic element you can create a subtle but effective barrier restricting garment noise from traveling up to the mic. I have put this technique to the test and it actually does help.
4) Cat Fur and Toupee Tape: Reducing the friction between layers of clothing as they rub against each other can also help to minimize garment noise. Double stick toupee tape can be used between layers to limit movement or soft strips of fabric, sometimes referred to as "cat fur" or 'mole skin," can also be placed in between to reduce friction. "cat fur" can also be placed over the mic element to reduce friction and to help control wind noise.
5) Mic Placement: If all else fails, trying a new location for the microphone may make the difference. Placing the microphone in the collar may do the trick or even in the hairline above the forehead if the actor is so willing. Making friends with the wardrobe and hair departments can be of great value.
Have some tricks of your own that you would like to share? Please e-mail your ideas to: info@actionaudioandvisual.com
ACTION PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Spiritual healer Aimee Shea recently visited the Action Studios to record an exciting new series of meditation CDs. "I was spiritually led to Action Audio & Visual after I was having problems finding a suitable studio to record my project. As I meditated and looked for guidance, up popped the Action website." Aimee's sessions focus on Chakra Healing and stress reduction for both adults and children. The Action staff wishes Aimee great success with her project.
For more information on Action's Post Audio Services call us today at (323) 461-4290.
MEET OUR NEWEST ACTION STAFF MEMBER
Meet Charles "Skip" Belyea, the newest member of the Action Audio & Visual staff. With over 30 years of experience in the broadcast industry he is a valuable asset not only to our company but to our valued customers as well. Skip has functioned as editor on the Sony/Telemundo series "Solo En America" and "Los Angeles de Charlie", and has produced and directed many shows such as "Shop The World" and "Makeover Manor". He was Post Production Supervisor on the feature film "Fish Don't Blink" and produced and directed the International Family Film Festival (IFFF). Skip also has extensive experience as a director of photography and camera operator.
Welcome Aboard Skip!
