Video Camera's Built-in Mic Failed
Before I did a wedding shoot. Didn't notice it (I mean, it's a given that a camera's built-in microphone is supposed to work, right?) 'til I got home, and, to my shock and horror, noticed that, with the exception of the table interviews, where I had an external mic plugged in to pass around to all the guests, which turned out fine, there was NO AUDIO on the rest of the video, dead silence!!! So now I've gotta call the guy who hired me, and, heartbroken and sick to my stomach, explain what happened. No charge to him for the shoot, of course, because this was my equipment failure, my fault, my problem, but I don't know how he's going to explain this to the bride or fix it!
The music that they danced to can be dubbed in, from CD or with ambient sound from other wedding videos, but the MC introducing the bridal party, the toasts and the bride and groom thanking everyone for coming at the end, is all silent, and, unless someone else happened to bring a camcorder and happened to be rolling during those moments (which I didn't see), that audio is gone.
I feel bloody God-awful about this. It never occurred to me to test the camera before the shoot, because this has NEVER happened before. This guy books me a lot, and I want him to continue to be confident that I will continue to deliver the goods! All I can tell him is I'm bringing the camera in to be serviced tomorrow, suggest the above techniques for replacing the audio or suggest cutting the thing into a musical montage (which doesn't bring back the intros, the toasts and the end remarks, sadly) and that I have another camera and this won't be a problem in the future. Maybe I can pick up a used (like-new) Sony VX-2100 at a great price, if B&H Photo in New York or anyone else still sells it. It is a great low-light performer, better than my newer high-def Sony FX-1. I don't have $2,500+ to buy another video camera right now, during a recession, when work is scarce, and when I haven't even paid the other one off, so repairing the existing camera seems the only option. But, regardless, that doesn't fix this shoot!
So, kinda sad, heartbroken and sick to my stomach...didn't need this right now, just when my economy seemed to be stabilizing, and need this free-lance money for other things, like replacing the shower in my condo, and feel back for the guy who hired me and the nice people who chose his company. A lot of companies use me, so, if this guy ceases to use me, it won't be the end of the world, but he books me a lot and is a good guy, so I want to treat him right. Sad...
The music that they danced to can be dubbed in, from CD or with ambient sound from other wedding videos, but the MC introducing the bridal party, the toasts and the bride and groom thanking everyone for coming at the end, is all silent, and, unless someone else happened to bring a camcorder and happened to be rolling during those moments (which I didn't see), that audio is gone.
I feel bloody God-awful about this. It never occurred to me to test the camera before the shoot, because this has NEVER happened before. This guy books me a lot, and I want him to continue to be confident that I will continue to deliver the goods! All I can tell him is I'm bringing the camera in to be serviced tomorrow, suggest the above techniques for replacing the audio or suggest cutting the thing into a musical montage (which doesn't bring back the intros, the toasts and the end remarks, sadly) and that I have another camera and this won't be a problem in the future. Maybe I can pick up a used (like-new) Sony VX-2100 at a great price, if B&H Photo in New York or anyone else still sells it. It is a great low-light performer, better than my newer high-def Sony FX-1. I don't have $2,500+ to buy another video camera right now, during a recession, when work is scarce, and when I haven't even paid the other one off, so repairing the existing camera seems the only option. But, regardless, that doesn't fix this shoot!
So, kinda sad, heartbroken and sick to my stomach...didn't need this right now, just when my economy seemed to be stabilizing, and need this free-lance money for other things, like replacing the shower in my condo, and feel back for the guy who hired me and the nice people who chose his company. A lot of companies use me, so, if this guy ceases to use me, it won't be the end of the world, but he books me a lot and is a good guy, so I want to treat him right. Sad...
Replies
I am so sorry to hear about your equipment malfunction. You seem to have remorse about the situation. I would tell him exactly what you have written here. You said he works with you on a lot of things - hopefully it won\'t be the end of the world. Things happen. Keep us posted as to what happened and what he said.
Thanks! I am indeed remorseful. I pride myself on being not only a technician but an artist and a person deeply vested in these people\'s treasured memories. Broke my heart and made me sick to my stomach. He was as understanding as possible, recognized that it was simply an equipment failure, that I didn\'t do it intentionally, and said it was a matter of how the client would react. I went overboard to write him copious notes about all the songs that were playing at the event, so hopefully an overdub and calling the key family members in to \"redo\" their toasts will solve the situation. I delivered the tapes without expecting pay, of course. Told him in 2 weeks the camera will be fixed, and that I will watch the audio like a hawk from here on out. He seemed receptive and I\'m sure will use me again (I\'m all he\'s got lol; he\'s had far worse luck on craigslist).