Well I got several questions...

I want an on camera light that'll light up my subjects fairly well in a dim lit area... I am going to use it for proms, dances and concerts. What could you recommend for this? Does it run off of the battery on the camera or a separate battery pack?

Also I want to know some very nice direction clip on microphones and how much they'd run for a decent one that won't sound like other people talking around them. Also I want to know what would be a great microphone for podiums and what does it run on? I'm assuming it records to some sort of board, sorry for so many questions and not searching everywhere on the forums, but these are basically all my questions for now and I need these questions answered directly, I'd appreciate it alot.

Thanks guy/gals.

-Scott

Visit the "Now hear this" forum for extensive discussions on sound recording.

And visit the Shure.com web site, http://www.shure.com/ProAudio/TechLibrary/EducationalArticles/index.htm
for articles with tips on sound recording, both theory and practice, in simple term s most folks can understand. It include tips on selection and placement of microphones for different recording situations.

You probably do not want a bright light on the camcorder, it can blind folks at events like proms,and receptions. Typically a 5 to 10 watt light is enough. Sony and Sima (and others) offer models that can sit on the shoe mount and run off separate camcorder batteries.

Scott-

I sometimes use the Canon VL-10Li light. It requires a seperate power supply (battery). It does a good job! Check out this video. I did some street interviews at night just using the VL-10Li. Most of the interviews are at the end of the clip. It was very dark out too. There are a few in the begining and at the middle too. The Interviews with "Haunted House Guy" utilized different lighting.

http://www.blip.tv/file/130402/