How important would you all say that sound is in a movie? I've read that considering the quality of the sound of your film is just as important as the visuals.
A group of others and I are in the process of filming a short film (our first time) and wanted to know how important sound was. We are planning on using household camcorders (about 8 years old) and then uploading the video via the A/V cords to a computer for editing. Should we get a shotgun microphone as well? How do those work? I'm having a hard time seeing how one could syncronize the audio and the video if they are recorded on two seperate equipments...but again, this is literally our FIRST time!
Thanks for your input!
JPacio
You must consider your sound quality to be MORE important than your visuals. This is a plain and simple fact that you don't learn until you screw it up, and then, well, you're screwed.
It's the old saw-- people will forgive bad picture, but they will NEVER forgive bad sound. If you are filming your first project on old camcorders, and it's your first go, then chances are pretty good that your visuals are NOT going to have much production value. Work your story, work your actors, and GET GOOD SOUND!
If you can't afford to buy a shotgun mic (does your 8 year old cam have an input?) I would recommend dubbing the sound. When I was younger and making home movies with a handicam i just dubbed everything, when done right its hard to tell.
Basically everytime the lips become desynced, you cut away.
If you know you might have sound issues you should plan for that before hand. For example when choosing shots you can have important dialoge done in closeup so that the mic can get really close and maximize the sound quality. Other shots can be done with a speaker offcamera or facing away making dubbing later much easier.
It won't solve every problem (could make for inconsistant sound if the midshot audio is really bad) but it can help.
RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA
RJSchwarz
Syncing sound and video from different sources is usually done with a clapper board or slate. The slat clacking is visible on the video and heard on the audio. You can do it without a slat if you have someone clap their hands once in a loud overblown way.
RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA
RJSchwarz
I'm shooting my first short MOS (without sound) and doing all the sound in post-production so I can control the levels, and not worry about background noise, sound balance, etc. I'm fortunate that my project doesn't have any dialog, so it will be easier for me to attempt this. I say this, because I think bad sound will kill whatever visuals you have. I figure, the better sound, the more professional the outcome.
Yadayadayada
Yadayadayada
