[GET GREAT AUDIO]

WHY?

1. Otherwise it sucks.

2. It can be easy.

People would much rather watch something filmed on a gameboy with great audio, than on IMAX with bad audio.

MICROPHONE

Make it not the camera.

DISTANCE

Get that thing close to your subject. I'm talking 8-10 inches if possible. Use a lavaliere when you can't boom. Record with a phone hidden on set if you have to.

LEVELS

If you're adjusting manually (you are), keep dialogue between -18db and -12db on average. You can make it loud later.

UNPLUG THE FRIDGE

Our brains do a lot of real-time audio mixing. Microphones do not. Root around set before filming and unplug anything that rattles, buzzes or hums. Add it back in post if you like it.

ROOM TONE

Record 2-3 minutes of silence on location each time you film. You'll always be glad you did it.

MONITOR IT

L.O.L. - Listen On Location. If there are issues, you'll want to know right away.

These are important. Print this out and staple it to your camera.