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TheBlimp

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Everything posted by TheBlimp

  1. Wow - great advice from all of you. Telling off people is what I only do in worst case scenarios, as in: I'm hired as a boom op and they want me to drag Sachtler tripods, cam bags and other stuff along while I'm trying to do what I'm hired for. 98.3% of the time, I'm easy about stuff. Of course I'll try and be myself as much as I can, and not come over as someone who thinks to know it all... which would be hilarious. Very good point about asking for the specific skills they're looking for: Even though I know it's mostly easy eng-jobs at their place, it should be good to be proactive and show them that you're really interested in what the job would bring, etc. We'll see - it's good that I don't desparately need the job for the sake of my life. Will let the good advice sink in. Thanks a ton!
  2. Bit excited here. Not overly, but none the less: I've applied for a part time job at the local TV/Radio, talked about my background etc, and they said I should drop by for a thorough interview. While that's nice enough, I have some doubts about how to pull it off / present myself: Most of what I know is self-teached (except from a 1 year stint at sae institute 12 years ago and a few internships), and I've had a long hiatus from the audio world (except for doing low profile music recordings for the last 20 yrs or so) - only started to get in location audio 3 years ago. I'm not afraid to pull off any ENG job, but I'm not used to being pushed around by producers or cameramen. Since I've been self-employed for the last 3 years, I've definitely learnt to tell people off if they cross a certain line. Point is, I think i might be spoilt for junior positions, even though I'm more of a modest guy. It would be pretty nice to have a somewhat steady basic income at the local station, and I've never done any job interview before (and I'm in my 40s). I'm trying not to freak out over it, but i get the slightest hint of creeps when I think of what might go wrong during the interview. Any suggestions? Yoga? Less coffee?
  3. Well well. Since I updated my equipment list and rental rates, I found I charged too little for equipment. So I got this call last week for a shoot, and the producer said he need wireless (which he knows I have), and with the wireless I could charge up to (amount X). I said nono, amount X is the rate for my work, equipment is extra. He said he'd see what he "could do". Got a call two days later that he rented the equipment at higher rate (?) but got a cheaper boom op (). I said thanks and that I'm perfectly happy glad to stay at home and watch some Pro Tools tutorials and work on my general terms and conditions paper for future jobs.
  4. i like the much better. i didn't get it as a kid. now i surely do. (edit): anyone seen hilarious.
  5. "Listen for me saying the word “check” and set the audio levels automatically when you recognize that word. Flash an alert on the screen if you detect a hum. Or an airplane flying overhead." So noone in the world needs to wear a set of damn headphones during a shoot anymore?
  6. Wow, just back from vacation without internetz to find this. I actually was about to buy a Nomad. Hmmm... I think I'll wait a few more months and see how this all evolves. Good stuff.
  7. Since I haven't been in the business for too long, I'll keep it really short: 4-5 years ago, I got a call from a befriended camera man who asked me if I could jump in on an interview, as in: "Can you hold a mic and keep it still?". He knew I had post audio background and said it wouldn't be too complicated. I said sure and only then heard we would drive 800 kms to interview the Federal Minister of Economics. Haha. I downloaded manuals and requested to have all equipment in my hotel room (incl. the then quite expensive HDcam), to check stuff out, make sure, etc... All went well next day, and somewhat later I got asked for a short movie. Then word must have spread somehow. I'm no pro, but where I live, it seems like among the blind, the one-eyed is king. Haha.
  8. good to see a commercial with true location sound! there should be more of these instead of all the superartificial sounding commercials, spoiled with bad ADR and "music only". i like it.
  9. Sorry, wandering off topic, but I just have to share this - it's too funny From another thread on another forum... Guy asks about where to get a bloop box to hang on his boom op and gets following reply: "Maybe I just don't understand the question, but it does seem that you're hoping for a heck of a lot from your sound guy. Unless he's got mind reading abilities and/ or reflexes faster than Superman I can't see how's he's going to be able to do this live. From memory when this is done "live" it isn't - the entire feed is run through a time delay to allow someone the time to catch the blooper before it goes public."
  10. To be honest, I lamost choked on my coffee when I read that 2nd thread. Hilarious content from several involved parties (not to step on anyone's toes). But I didn't dare say so when the thread was still active.
  11. From my experience with Sony support I don't have intentions to ever buy any of their products again.
  12. I had my EX3 in service twice for headphone out trouvles alone (not to mention dust in the sensor, fresh from the factory, and other things). It has a constant jitter noise on one channel (only on the heaphone out, but bothersome none the less). After the 2nd "repair" it's somewhat better, but still there. I'd send it back for service... is it still under warranty?
  13. They do seem to still make the flat lyres, as they came with a recent INV-something just recently. You should be able to get them as replacements. The solutions I found best to work with a softie are the "angled" mounts as found on the Softie kit or on the camera mounts. The standard INV-HG didn't do it for me. Rycote support suggested the angled mounts for softie use: seems like they make for better balance with a softie than the straight HG. I figured difference should be subtle, but in practice I found them really to work better.
  14. Update: Media management in FCP sucks big time.
  15. Well if they don't care, as Philip said: 3Gigs worth of ascending numbers. They sort it out.
  16. Used to live there for about 7 years... can recommend the art museums: Wallraf-Richartz-Museum, Museum Ludwig. The city itself only has a few beautiful spots, because after the war it looked like this: The weather is always terrible, even with sunshine - because it's kind of smoggy. The cultural possibilities are great, though. People are pretty nice in general. General info, tourist site in English: http://www.cologne.de/ Online Mag with all concerts and other events (one-stop ressource): http://www.stadtrevue.de/ One of my favorite places in Cologne was Café Storch (in the Aachener Strasse), kind of a small "mom & pop free jazz pub". But I haven't been there long time - don't sue me if it has turned into a hipster place. Enjoy your stay!
  17. The many discussions re. gear rental made me do a little Excel sheet, summing up each single piece of gear I usually bring to the jobs. Considered everything is in pristine condition, I assumed a 1.5% rental rate would be appropriate (which is the standard around here, not taking in account lowball offers). And damn, was I surprised to find I've been charging much too little for rental. From now on, when making my offers, I'll include a rental price for what I consider the minimum kit for the job and include appropriate "upgrade" options. Sorry for repeating myself, but joining this forum was one of the wiser decisions I made lately.
  18. Hello lambiekins, First thing I'd ask myself would be: Do I want/need to do it all on my own, or would it be better to have someone help me out here and there? Example: I just finished shooting a 1yr. documentary and while I know a thing or two about how movies are made, it was an extremely crazy idea to do 95% of the shooting on my own (which I had to for several reasons: money, flexibility and closeness to the protagonists - which a 3-4 man crew wouldn't have allowed for). But one just can't expect to do decent interviews, operate a camera, do the directing, run 2-system sound, take care of schedule and every technical aspect oneself and expect not to lie awake at night crying. Which is what I did. I knew I would face a shooting ratio of about 100:1, which means 100 hrs of raw metrial for a 1h movie. I think my actual shooting ratio is about 200:1. And still, I'm not sure if it will ever become a "watchable" movie. But not to discourage you, and some more recommended reading: First of all, before going into any technical stuff, I would get this book and read it at least twice before even beginning the preplanning stage, or worse, pondering about which cables go where: "Making documentary films and reality videos", by Barry Hampe, Owl Books It's an easy read, full of valuable information about the general procedures, what can (& will) go wrong, it's full of real life examples, touches the subject of ethics, etc, just a very practical book. Highly recommended. You won't regret reading one single page. Good luck! (edit): It took me too long to type a reply, and from your latest post I see you're already in production. Good luck, and try aforementioned book. I'm sure the others will chime in with tons of great tech advice.
  19. Good stuff, highly appreciated! Thanks a lot, Cujo!
  20. I spend more money on guitars than I should. Always have. My current GF plays in a band, so she understands to some degree. On the last guitar purchase she asked why I'd need yet another one. I tried to explain it with Neil Young's words: There's just so and so many songs in a guitar. I played this one and there's new songs in it. She understood perfectly well. Good stuff.
  21. That Monteiro video is pure gold. Watched it a while ago. This one client I complained a few days ago finally paid. But only after I let them know I'm not taking it, with utmost clarity. Might be they're not asking me again for any job. I guess I don't care - time might be better invested in watching tutorials than running after my money. Good luck, Mixalot!
  22. RED shot. After the break I checked connections because audio was recorded in cam and AC, Grip, and basically everone else constantly trampled over the camera feed and return cables... so I made sure to be the first one back from break and, you know, just check for any possible mishaps. Took a few seconds. Cam Op, walking in the room:"I would set up the next shot if I finally got access to my camera." Me: "Stop that talk. Right now." Baffled looks. Whatever. AC was great though: Knew his audio menu and understood the need for a playback test.
  23. I'd feel an urge to charge extra for the Koteka.
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