For musicians this all sounds great! The film crew on this one were
"too professional" if you get what I mean. They made it look liek a
newmagazine special, not appropriate for oral history.

<L>
Lou Judson • Intuitive Audio
415-883-2689


On Jan 28, 2009, at 12:54 PM, Parker Dinkins wrote:

> on 1/28/09 12:39 PM US/Central, Lou Judson wrote:
>
>> I think the video element wasted most of the resources, and talking
>> heads are something I would not watch myself anyway!
>
> I shot almost 100 video interviews of various older musicians, each
> interview being nominally two hours long.
>
> The personal quality of these videos far exceeds audio only
> interviews.
>
> 1. The success of the effort depends largely on the ability of the
> interviewer to connect with the subject. Hopefully the interviewer and
> subject know each other already, or at least the interviewer has done
> his/her homework.
>
> 2. Go to subject's home, and do not use lights. White balance with
> available
> light, whatever it is.
>
> 3. Use the best camera and the widest angle lens you can get. You
> don't want
> a talking head, you actually want to record the subject in his/her
> living
> area. The subject will be much more comfortable, and it adds interest.
>
> 3. Use wireless mics, even though you will be close to the subject.
> You
> might be taken on a personal tour of the glory wall, on short notice.
>
> 4. Turn off mobile phones.
>
> 5. Pay the subject an honorarium when you get the release signed.
>
> Some may think this last item is controversial, but when you are
> dealing
> with professional musicians it's a good idea to approach an
> interview as
> another gig.
>
> I was fortunate to be able to use a good wide lens (with a 90 deg
> included
> angle) so we could really take in the living space. The wireless
> units were
> also top quality.
>
> Even though I shot these interviews just a few years ago, many of
> these
> musicians are now gone.
>
> --
> Parker Dinkins
> CD Mastering + Audio Restoration
> http://masterdigital.com
>