Location Sound Recording

The Arts of the Moving Image Filmcraft Workshop Series

The Arts of the Moving Image Filmcraft Workshop Series is six workshops designed to give students the opportunity to develop hard skills in practical areas of filmmaking.  It includes topics in cinematography, editing, post-production, and sound.  It is aimed at filmmakers looking to advance their practice, as well as those interested in a first look at the techniques and technology of film.

Sessions are held each Friday from 3pm to 5:30pm, and are repeated Saturday from 11am to 1:30pm.  The Spring 2020 series runs from January 24th through February 29th.

The workshops are open to the Duke community, with no sign-up or registration required.

Location Sound Recording

This workshop is a guided tour through the bewildering variety of tools and the unintuitive best practices of location sound recording for film.

Compromised sound is a fatal flaw for a film, and one which dogs many filmmakers long after other skills have been mastered.  This workshop directly addresses the difficulty and importance of sound recording.  Students will receive a crash course in current sound recording practice, including the important features and settings of high-end sound equipment, and equally importantly, the applications of wig tape, lamb’s wool, and other staples.

This workshop will over the following elements and techniques:

• The technology of sound recorders and microphones
• Hearing and monitoring good and bad sound
• Boom microphones and their operation
• Body mic technique
• Workflow and collaboration

About the Instructor

Aaron M. Bittikofer is a professional audio recordist, audio engineer, and musician.   As a production audio recordist he has worked on numerous short and long-format films, and countless commercials over the past ten years.  He has studied upright and electric bass with Carol Kaye and Medeski, Martin and Wood, has recorded numerous albums, and has logged many miles of touring experience with music groups such as Hipbone, Ecco La Musica, and Sidecar Social Club.  He is obsessed with audio, be it production recording, music or sound design.

About the Location

This workshop meets in the new Arts of the Moving Image Studio located in Room 232 in the Rubenstein Arts Center.