WANNABEn Filmmaker: Audio: Wireless, Lavalier, Shotgun microphones and more...

Well, I am still not sure which way to go to acquire audio for my movie projects. That is one reason why I haven't started any project with sound yet. Basically I still cannot decide if to go with a wireless system with lavalier mics or with a shotgun microphone and a boom pole with a century stand. I thought about a combination of both, like a wireless system with a shotgun mic. Or both, but budget is on the way, so I will need to pick my poison. As for right now, the moment I am writing these lines, I lean towards a shotgun microphone. Just because I can also use the 'c' stand to hold some light reflectors as well.

That said, here it is what I found on my 'microphones' research and picked as my favorite and most instructive videos:

Shotgun Microphones

I found these 3 videos from the same guy to be very illustrative in terms of showing (by images and sound tests) how positioning your shotgun mic will significantly improve or decrease your sound. Very simple, but guess what? I didn't know! Well, now I know and you might know if you already know or if you watch them up:

Misuse of Shotgun Microphones (My favorite of all three)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smQf9W1tx5A

Best low cost shotgun microphones on a budget

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vk65naL4B8k

Misuse of Shotgun Microphones

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zm51JFq5WI

The following video does not add too much, but I am adding it because the guy is funny and seems to be quite a popular youtube celebrity:

How to make your Video's Audio better!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1MMNywCM2o

This is one about is about testing different types of microphones in a studio. Very good, well shot, and great nicely done sound tests:

Recording Audio in less than Ideal Conditions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwHc7hWGwHc