You’re on video assignment, either for yourself, as a favor for somebody else or — more seriously– for a paying customer. Let’s make it interesting. You’re a ways from home. What do you do if something goes wrong? Give up? Reschedule? No. You figure out if there is a way around the problem while you’re there.
You think on your feet.
I was doing a video featurette on Unique India, a combo Indian grocery/restaurant in my neighborhood. I have two lavalier clip-on mics that are supposed to work together with my Osmo Pocket 3 video camera. Two mics are useful for interviews, when I want to record both myself and my subject. One mic was older and more finicky than the other. When I turned on my equipment, only one mic worked with the camera; the other refused to pair with it. It was only later that I figured out why, but for now I was paddling with one oar. Although the well-behaved mic was working great when attached to the subject, I knew it would not be enough to capture my voice too, without muddying it as I spoke at the periphery.
I decided to proceed anyway. I’d just have to deal with my enfeebled voice later through video editing software. There are ways of doing that.
The second problem arose when Sujatha Byanna, the owner, stated that she felt uncomfortable appearing in the video. She wasn’t dressed for it. I guess I hadn’t been clear before, when I said I was going to shoot a video of her store. She didn’t realize she was to be the star.
But I had to have someone appear. What did I do?
I negotiated. I asked if there was an employee who’d appear and represent her. She found a willing assistant, who proved to be intelligent and articulate. She is the one you now see on the video.
I wanted the owner to have some input, so she agreed to speak without appearing. She responded well to my questions. Unfortunately, as expected, my un-miked voice came out muffled, so I just eliminated it. I was not needed. In lieu of her appearing, I filmed B-roll, quick shots of the store, like the restaurant and the well-stocked aisles.
I never like having to make such adjustments, but when you’re working, the real world can be cantankerous.
That is when you think on your feet. It’s a combination of negotiating and discovering ways out of morasses. It’s an acquired skill, so don’t expect to be able to do it right away. But keep at it and you’ll be able to minimize any difficulties that rear their impish heads.
