2 - Capture and Explore
The everyday world is a dynamic place, full of people going about their business, enjoying themselves, getting frustrated and angry, joining together for some common enterprise.
Ideally, the field recordist’s job is not to interfere or interrupt these activities but rather to capture and explore them. I say ‘ideally’ because it may be necessary to direct your talent to secure better radio, e.g., getting the steam locomotive driver to blow the whistle at times when he wouldn’t normally or persuading the parking warden to start up a conversation with an infringing motorist. As a general rule, when the general public spy a microphone they often think they should drop what they are doing and steel themselves to be interviewed. This may be ok for the news reporter seeking the informational sound-bite but it’s not usually what the field recordist is after.
When I was recording a programme marking the refurbishment and reopening of Wellington’s St James theatre, I noticed that former stage hands, ushers and the like, invited to celebrate the occasion, were lining up to be interviewed. I told them to ignore me and my mics and to explore and enjoy the new complex and talk amongst themselves. I explained that it was my job to eavesdrop on the occasion and chat to them informally as we explored the new theatre together.
Listen: St James Theatre
