ok, this is my first film ever, i just got a sony minidv camera, but there is no hole or anything to plug in a boom, or is that how it is done? i know normally that the sound is recorded separatly right? but since i'm using a minidv, what should i do? thanks so much to anyone who can help.

Sony MiniDVs have built in microphones that record sound along with the video simotaniously. Your thinking of film cameras, not MiniDV. However, if the sound quality of the camera is not quiote up to par with what you want, on the front underneath a panel is a plug for an external microphone for far off subjects or for better quality. Booms aren't required at this stage of the game though.


-Thomas Chalifour

Writer/Director/Actor Extrodinaire

Well, you should never record sound off the camera mic. They are generally poor quality, and due to different distances of the camera, it will result in varying sound levels.
Now, if you dont have an audio plug on your camera, then you cant do otherwise. Some mini DV cams do have an external mic plug, but alot of lower end models do not. If you cant plug in an external mic, then youll have to use the in camera, or another recording device, although a seperate device will cayse some syncing obstacles. If you can plug in an external, I would recommened doing so, you can buy a cheap mic, some XLR cable, and an XLR adapter at radio shack. You can make a boom pole out of a extendable painters pole. Just a suggestion. Nothing can ubstitute, for good sound. Plus remeber, you can always record sound later "lyp sync" if you will, but it is difficult to match up. Well, atleast it beats silent films.
R. Michael McWhorter
Tizzy Entertainment

And you shall know us by the trail of dead.

You should be in the production section of this board. There's a topic called "Need some advice on sound recording," started by BLue fish. It has everything you need to know now about sound recording, if your willing to read all of it. But if your just getting into film making, I would'nt be too into spending all this money on equipment. I did my first 5 films with just a camera, tripod, and no editing(titles done by filming my computer monitor with pre-made titles from powerpoint). I'd just take time on camera placement, story, and that's it really..

You need to but those plugs for a boom. I got some and the sound quality is phenominal! You also need XLR cables and a good mic.

Go here:

http://www.beachtek.com/

Yeah, you definitely need a beachtek OR studio one XLR adapter. You can buy a cable which adapts balanced XLR to 1/8" mini plug, but it won't absorb the 6 volts the camera sends out the cable. The 6 volts will cause most quality, low impedance mics to distort. It's 150 to 250 (for one with built in phantom power).

As for physically mounting the mic to the camera, if at all possible, don't (unless you're just capturing atmosphere). Get or build a boom (aka fish pole) so you can capture sound closer to your subject. You can buy a 9' GITZO aluminum 4 section boom for about a hundred and a shock absorbing mount to go on the end will cost 50 to 250 depending on the quality of sound isolation you want. It sounds expensive, but in general, quality sound is more important than quality video--how much did you spend on your camera??? [stepping off soapbox] If you still want to mount the boom mic to your camera, you can buy adapters for the hot shoe (where the light attaches to the camera) to mount mics. B+H has a good online store to give you an idea what's out there.

joren

Bad picture (i.e. Blair Witch) can be a "look." Bad sound is bad sound.