Seeking a first-rate production sound expert for low-budget, family-friendly feature.

[Stephen Pruitt]

Hi all. . .

To some, this will seem like a ridiculous post. . . others, however,
may be genuinely interested.

I'm going to be directing a low-budget ($50,000 to $100,000 total, not
counting equipment purchases and rentals) feature this coming summer.
I have the video side of the story covered with two RED One cameras
(and possibly three REDs!) and a bright young film school graduate DP.
What I DON'T have covered at all is the audio side of the ledger.

I'm looking to hire a very responsible individual to both build the
audio workflow into something completely workable using Final Cut Pro (latest version) AND capture first rate cinema-quality sound on location. We will not be filming on sound stages. We'll be in a lot of unusual locations, some of which will be challenging. I need someone who can put the audio side together with great expertise and give me a really high-quality sound. I'm looking for someone who can make this production sound wonderful. But. . . there are other challenges, as well. . . read on.

I have some fine audio gear to work with, including a Sound Devices
442 mixer, two Schoeps CMC64s (stereo pair), and a carbon fiber boom
mounted Schoeps CMC641 with full Rycote protection. I also have two
Lectrosonics wireless systems (UM200C and UCR201) with Lectrosonic
M-150 and Countryman B6 microphones. The Countrymans can also operate
wired. I am willing to purchase additiional gear, such as a field
recorder (Sound Devices 744T), but will only do so if I am convinced
it's necessary.

Okay. . . enough of the background. Here's the question:

Are you, or can you recommend, a great, truly expert sound recording
specialist that might be willing to work for 6 weeks this coming
summer in Kansas for no more than $5000? I know the pay is ridiculously low, but I'll be breaking my budget at that. Since this is a family friendly
film, I'm looking for people are sympathetic to such a venture or, at
the very least, won't be bringing a lot of baggage that might be
controversial on the set. This is a 100% drug- and profanity-free
production. Most of the individuals involved in the project are
professing Christians.

So, basically, I'm looking for the moon: A truly superb audio
specialist who is willing to work on a feature for peanuts, who won't
cause any problems.

The movie is being shot in Kansas. Here is the one sentence synopsis:

"Painters is a poignant, G-rated, romantic comedy feature film that
follows the lives of two recent small-town college fine art graduates
and a successful, yet unfulfilled insurance professional during a
magical summer in 'the big city.'"

The theme of the film is finding, and being true to, one's calling in life.

Painters is set in the present day (with brief flashbacks) in rural
western Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri.

If you can recommend someone, please email their name and contact
information. If you can at least tell me where great, family-friendly,
low-cost audio specialists are known to congregrate, please email me
that information, as well. If you think I'm dead meat and that no such thing
exists, well, please just be kind with your public posts. :-)

Anyway, thank you very much for your help.

Sincerely,

Stephen Pruitt, Ph.D.
NEVER2LATEStudios@yahoo.com

[Jeffery Magat]

You'll save a lot more money using one RED then two or three. Perhaps have more money for the sound recordist.

Oh, and yes, you will need to buy the recorder, RED can't handle audio yet.

[Chris Barcellos]

"who won't cause any problems. "

Any soundman worth his salt will fight for getting the best sound in the film, and that fight would include bucking the producers and directors when he thinks his product is being compromised. Expecting "no problems" from creative and opinionated people is a dream.. IMHO.

[Jimmy Tuffrey]

Maybe you will have more success asking for an OK sound man who you will have to take a chance with.

You get what you pay for in life you know. Reality check advised.

Happy New Year

[Jack Walker]

Originally Posted by Chris Barcellos

"who won't cause any problems. "

Any soundman worth his salt will fight for getting the best sound in the film, and that fight would include bucking the producers and directors when he thinks his product is being compromised. Expecting "no problems" from creative and opinionated people is a dream.. IMHO.

I disagree. I think it's okay up front to specify that the soundman will not be using drugs, will not be drunk and will not be bringing girl friends on set. Also, I think it is reasonable to want a sound man who will be on the job and won't require searching for all day.

I know it's kind of traditional for some crews to be blasted out of their minds, taking trips to the trailer with visitors, and still turn out a marketable film. However, I believe it's possible to do it the other way, too.