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Four under $300 audio recorders for double-system sound
Written by David Tames on June 18, 2010
Filed Under Featured, General, Media Technology, Sound, Tools, Video Production
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With the rising tide of small cameras shooting spectacular HD video suitable for documentary work, along with D-SLRs like the Canon 5D Mark II and the Canon 7D whose images rival much more expensive (and heavy) cameras, I’ve observed a spectacular rise in gorgeous video, but good sound...  Continue Reading...

Sennheiser Evolution G3 100 Series
Written by David Tames on February 18, 2010
Filed Under Featured, Gadgets and Devices, General, Reviews, Sound, Video Production
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If you want to go with a wireless microphone system, and you’re trying to balance between performance and price but don’t want to compromise too much on performance, I would suggest taking a close look at the Sennheiser Evolution G3 Series. I’ve been using the previous G2...  Continue Reading...

A one-case lighting kit ready for travel
Written by David Tames on January 8, 2010
Filed Under Documentary, Filmmaking, Front Page, General, Lighting, Tools
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I’m often asked by students, “what’s a good light kit for starting out” and I find it a very hard question to answer, because it really depends on what you want to do. There really is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all lighting kit. I find that most of the commercially...  Continue Reading...

Seven RSS feeds of interest to New England documentary filmmakers
Written by David Tames on November 7, 2009
Filed Under Documentary, Featured, General, Web
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Here are seven RSS feeds that I think will be of interest to New England documentary filmmakers. These suggestions come out of the discussion that took place today during theSocial Media Boot Camp for Film Professionals with Sean Fitzroy held at MassArt. There are many good feeds out there,...  Continue Reading...

Long lasting power pack for the M-Audio Microtrack (and other USB powered devices too)
Written by David Tames on July 17, 2009
Filed Under Documentary, General, Sound, Tools
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The original Microtrack 24/96 and the current Microtrack II from M-Audio are nice little audio recorders, I like having a small recorder in my backpack ready for anything. I love the fact it has balanced TRS inputs so I can use it with my professional microphones, as well as 1/8″ mini-jack...  Continue Reading...

Art of the Interview (Podcamp Boston 3 presentation)
Written by David Tames on July 19, 2008
Filed Under Documentary, Filmmaking, General, New Media, Podcasting, The Media, Video on the Web
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The interview is a fundamental element of most documentary films and many video blogs. Through examples and discussion this session, which I presented at Podcamp Boston 3, covered practical strategies and techniques including how and why to use interviews, how to choose the right interview...  Continue Reading...

Twitter 3D Fail Whale
Written by David Tames on June 30, 2008
Filed Under General
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3D Fail Whale Originally uploaded by Hil. Now this is delightful, like the classic “Bomb icon” the Twitter “Over Capacity” image has been seen by users far more, I’m sure, than the developers intended. This lovely sculpture pays homage to that....  Continue Reading...

Organizing a gel collection
Written by David Tames on December 7, 2007
Filed Under Filmmaking, General, Lighting, Tools
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As you collect more and more gels and diffusion, organization and storage becomes important. I store my gels and diffusion using the following two holding methods (as far as rolls go, those usually live in their original boxes). Continue Reading…  Read More →

Trade is more important than aid
Written by David Tames on October 29, 2007
Filed Under Documentary, Films, General
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One of the greatest things that developed nations can do to help developing nations is engage in fair trade, and given that coffee is the most valuable commodity we trade worldwide after oil, it represents an industry that for many poor farmers represents their only way out of poverty. But...  Continue Reading...

A Conversation with Les Blank
Written by David Tames on October 3, 2007
Filed Under Documentary, Filmmakers, Films, General, Interviews
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While I was at the Woods Hole Film Festival this summer I had a chance to sit down and have a conversation with documentary filmmaker Les Blank. We spoke about his new film All In This Tea, his experiences with Werner Herzog, why he self distributes, and which of his films he considers his...  Continue Reading...

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