Clean sound is perfect sound as far as video production is concerned. Clean mean is has no distortion or unwanted background or otherwise sounds. The best way to achieve this is to place the microphone as close to the subject as possible and monitor the levels as closely as you can.

Before filming, just have a listen to see what’s going on around you. Spare a little thought about the sounds you want to come through and those you want to suppress. Always use a windshield if filming outside and keep an eye on events going on around you and the sound levels. Sudden noises like school bell or a low flying aircraft can send the levels all over the place.

Reducing unwanted noise is an art. Our ears can filter out what they don’t want to hear, whereas a microphone records everything. By listening to the surroundings you can get an idea of the character of the sound and how to approach it.

If you are in a noisy environment, placing the microphone 180 degrees to ambient noise can reduce it as much as possible, and placing it as near to the required source as possible will also minimize this noise while concentrating on the sound you want. A high amount of background noise will distract the subject and certainly the viewer. If redirecting the microphone doesn’t work, consider changing the angle of the shoot, or moving altogether.

Sound recording equipment is very sensitive kit. It can pick up interference a lot better than the human ear. Understanding some of the problems that can occur will help in the diagnosis and treatment of it.

A clicking sound can be caused by electrical contacts. These can either be within the equipment itself or nearby. If you can’t stop the contact, move location as it will show through on the shoot.

Popping from a human subject is down to the microphone being too close to the person. Either move it away slightly or angle it to one side of their mouth. If you use a radio microphone you may hear other conversations, called “ghosts”. These are signals from elsewhere being picked up on the frequency you’re using. If you hear them, change the frequency a bit until they fall silent.

A buzz or hum can be interference from other electrical items such as computers or mobile phones. Try to isolate them as much as possible by turning them off or moving them away. A hissing sound is likely to be a fault with your equipment, not the environment. First stop would be to try a new microphone and seeing what happens.

Distortion is another issue you may face when working with sound. This can be because the recording level is too high, the microphone is too close to the speaker of an equipment fault. Checking in each these in the order given here should eliminate the fault with minimum disruption.

Sound is an important and often underestimated facet of filming. It’s something you onl notice when it isn’t there.

If the story is planned, the summary written and time to shoot, equipment choice will now come forth. Choosing the right tool for the job is as important in video production as it is in any other field. Too much kit and it will get in the way, too little and the shoot will suffer, and the wrong kit and the shoot will be a write off.

To decide what kit you need, you need to know the type of shoot you’re going to. What the style is and what any director might want to see. You also need to bear in mind the weight and if you’re single manning the shoot, if you can carry everything all day. It isn’t only the camera you’ll be carrying if you’re working alone, or with a journalist or interviewer. You’ll need sound too.

Ensuring all the elements of the kit are compatible is also something worth checking before you even leave the building. If working with sound and video, they must be able to communicate otherwise you’ll only get one or the other. Everyone has their own favorite brands and models of equipment. Some are better than others and as long as you’re familiar with it all then you should be able to produce results.

There is no camera yet made that can do everything. Neither is there a microphone that is suitable for all situations. Have an idea of what to expect before setting out will prevent you from having to compromise when it comes time to shoot.

Another aspect of equipment you need to consider is lighting. For most shoots, ambient light will be sufficient, especially if using DV kit as light correction is often automatic. There may be situations where you will also need to add light. Battery lights are the favorite if single manning the shoot as they can bolt on to the top of the camera. Extra lighting you may need could include batteries, stand or tripod, reflector, preferably a fold out one and blue and orange color correction gel.

As if that wasn’t enough, what about the mounting for the camera? Often for short shoots or where the subject is moving, the camera can be hand held. Static shots or fast moving shots will need a monopod or tripod. Monopods are just a tripod with a single leg. They are lighter and easier to carry than a tripod, but aren’t quite as steady. The average video production shoot won’t need specialist mounts like the limpet or magic arm, but they are tools to be borne in mind for shoots if you have one. Either will affix to an object and offer great stability with a good range of movement.

Choosing the right equipment will make a difference to your day. Not always in the quality of the film you make, but in how flexible and comfortable you are during the shoot. Knowing your gear, and what works with what, in which situations will not only make your job easier, but enables you to react much quicker if something unexpected happens.