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Technical Gear Knowledge- We discuss the relevant gear immediately so you get comfortable.
Theory and Microphones- An introduction to Sound Wave theory and microphone pickup patterns.
Problem Solving- Cabling and unique user problems are addressed. We also cover gear problem secrets and 'operator error'.
Simulation- Participants start using the gear and we discuss techniques while leaving plenty of time for Q & A.
Practice- We repeat the simulation. We discuss how participants might position themselves to find work to use the new skills.
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Our goal with the seminars is to teach the foundational skills to work as a Location Sound Mixer. Our focus is on portable battery operated equipment used to record the voices of on-camera talent (actors, non-actors, celebrities, etc...) to video cameras.
Serveral popular types of consumer and professional camera formats are discussed such as the Panasonic Varicam or the handy Sony PD-150 or the Panasonic DVX100A. The core audio equipment includes some of the most popular pieces of gear including: Wendt X5 mixer, Lectrosonics wireless microphones, Tram lavaliers, Sennheisser MKH60 shotguns microphone,Neutrik connectors, Aspen NP-1 NiMhi batteries, Hawk- Woods
Np-1 battery caps, Vandenburg boompoles, and much more...
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By the end of the 2 days you will have participated actively in the following skills:
- Put a lavalier microphone on someone in a variety of different ways
- Determine which frequenies are best for some frequency agile wireless microphones
- Use a boom pole and shotgun microphone while both following and leading a Camera Operator and your talent
- Set up gear for use in an interview configuration and know why and how we record 30 seconds of "bars and tone"
- Utilize wireless microphone systems to connect your gear to the camera without cables in a "run-n-gun" configuration
- Determine the best way to record your audio to different types of cameres
- Mix together a shotgun mic and a lavalier that are recording to the same channel without "phase cancellation"
- How to communicate silently with your Camera Operator
- Review the purpose of every switch and knob on a portable mixer
- When to use a boom mic instead of a lavalier
- Determine what common problems sound like and fix them by "following the signal flow"
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| Why should I attend Reality Crew? |
| While our seminars are for many an introductions to the subject, everyone can learn something from participation. We strive to teach problem solving skills that translate to other areas of film and television production and also build technical confidence. The ability to complete a complex task under pressure can be both exhilerating and rewarding. Working in this form of television is for many people a career in adventure because we never know what the following day holds for us. We get a lifestyle that our friends and family don't believe. I've Mixed atop an elephant while chasing after tigers in the jungles of Nepal. I've been in an operating room,with scrubs covering my gear. Nitro funny cars, military twin blade helicopters, Hummer limosines, 20 Million dollar yachts, quad motorcyles, snowboards...you name it and I've shot from it. I've put microphones on Tom Cruise, Ozzy Osbourne, Elton John, Carmen Electra, Travis Barker, Peter Jennings, Jessica Simpson, Olivia Newton-John and more... Reality Crew is a stand alone training experience that may help you work in film or television immediately or just help you determine if you have what it takes to work on location. If you have ever considered film school or a program for Audio Engineering or Broadcast Communications then Reality Crew is for you. |
Can you really make me a Sound Mixer in a weekend? |
| Reality Crew is just the beginning. By immediately working to find a production that will utilize you new skills your chance of success are great! Reality Crew is a wonderful way for individuals who do not own any equipment to get into professional Sound Mixing and Recording. It is very common for multiple camera shoots to supply the gear you need to do your job. The skills you learn on Documentaries and Reality shoots will prove invaluable if you later want to move into Commercial or Feature Film work. Many other tv professionals I know still work regularly without complete knowledge of timecode or seperate multi-track audio recording devices, two things critical to 'duel system' audio recording found on large-scale film style work. |
What do you teach? |
| The Reality Crew seminar series helps participants learn the skills to work as a Location Sound Mixer on any video based program or product that requires that the voices of on-camera talent be recorded to the audio portion of video cameras. |
Where are you based and how much does the program cost? |
| Reality Crew is based in Los Angeles CA, USA. We are moving forward with plans to bring the seminars to other major cities in the coming year. Two 8 hour days of personalized instruction costs $600.00. This includes a required reading packet of approximately 70 pages and a certificate of completion. Former students are sometimes offered both paid and un-paid work upon completion. This job match service is not gauranteed and offered on a case by case basis. Participation is completely at the discretion of both the attendee and the instructor. |
Can I get school credit for attending Reality Crew? |
| This is a non-accredited vocational seminar series. Ask you counselor to determine if this course qualifies for "life experience" credit
as part of a communication degree or similar Applied Science education program. Employers may also reimburse for costs associated with Reality Crew seminars. |
Why Reality TV? |
| Sound Mixing on reality programming moves quickly and in many ways is the most challenging forms of Location Sound Mixing and Recording. There are no 'takes', the talent is usually not helping the Mixer perform his or her job and more often than not, it's all happening while walking down a crowded street. A Mixer who experiences this style of recording is practically ready for any logistical challenge that they may face in the future. How do you record people talking backstage at a concert? or while moving from inside a limosine to the back seat of a private corporate helicopter...? Practice. |
