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SOUND
DEPARTMENT
The sound department has the obligation to record clean sync sound
under often adverse conditions. They are not inclined to take risks
with their power supply with so much at stake. As a result they
change batteries on the Nagra often, to assure the power will be
good. In a five week shoot, the sound department will go through
up to 7 dozen AA batteries, 6 dozen D cell batteries, and 4 dozen
9 volt batteries. This is costly to the production, and an inefficient
use of resources.
BATTERIES
The Nagra can he run on rechargeable batteries. Keep a set recharging
during the day or night shoot, and the others to run your recorder.
Rotate these and you will end up saving money on battery purchases
and help solve the problem of battery disposal. If you are wary
of the rechargeable battery technology you have encountered so far,
look again. This is a rapidly growing science and can no longer
even be called "alternative." Rechargeable batteries are
found at hardware and hi-fi shops.
• Two sets of rechargeable batteries, which will last for
up to seven features, will cost less than half the money expended
on disposables for a single feature.
• If you purchase disposable batteries, see that they are
mercury-free alkaline batteries.
• All disposable batteries should be saved and disposed of
responsibly.
• External 24 volt battery blocks, available from equipment
rental houses, will also run sound equipment, and are rechargeable.
MATERIALS
Schedule a day or two of wild sound taking. You can build up a library
of sound effects for the specific film you are making. If there
are car interiors or other unusual background sounds, record a sampling
for the sound editors to work with. Many sounds that would otherwise
be bought from a library in post-production will be more site-specific,
and cheaper in the long run, if captured on location.
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