Good Audio Matters for Good Video
When someone reaches out to us and says “We want to make a video” - it’s easy to start thinking only about the visuals. What camera angles? What kind of b-roll are we going to need? Is there a drone component?
These are all things our clients ask about, and are interested in. And we are too! But most people don't start out by asking about the audio. It's rare a client asks “How are we going to mic this person?” or “Will this room be too noisy to record in?”
There’s a reason for that. There are some things in the world of production that you know you’re doing right when no one notices it. Like a crew at a live event. If you’ve gone to a concert or other live event and you enjoyed the show, unless you work in the industry, almost no one ever says “Wow, those LED screens looked amazing tonight” or “Did you see how subtle the camera operators were behind the talent?” BUT if something goes wrong, you can bet the crew gets brought up.
That’s how sound works with video. Just like with a live event where you can’t focus on a show if a video screen is constantly flickering. Without perfect sound, you can’t focus on the core message. If you have a beautifully shot and edited video, but your audio sounds wrong, your audience will focus on the imperfection and your message will get pushed aside.
That’s why we spend the time to address that up front - most commonly during a location scout or project launch. When we scout a location, one of the things our team is looking at is the sounds in the shooting environment. If we’re filming an interview - is the HVAC able to be turned off? If it is, who is the person to talk to about that? Can they confirm that real quick, and can we try it to make sure that’s working? Will they be here on the shoot day? If not, can they show us how? If it can’t be shut off, can we deaden it? Is there an alternate location?
HVAC and things might seem small, but these are just some of the considerations we take into account when planning a production. Behind the scenes, our team discusses the best approach to sound for every shoot, and we maintain an extensive collection of audio gear to make sure we have the right tool for the job. Sometimes all it takes is a little pre-planning and discussion. Other times, bringing the right microphone can be the difference between a smooth recording where everyone leaves with a smile and a noisy mess where you hear more of the surroundings than you do of the subject.
With a plan, a knowledgeable crew and the right tools for the job, audio becomes exactly what you want it to be: something executed so naturally, no one thinks twice about it. And that leaves room for your audience to focus on what you want them focusing on: You.
