Team Hybrid's boom operator, CJ Withey, recently purchased his 4017mk2-R from DPA's New Zealand distributor, Amber Technology NZ, taking advantage of the mic's new features. This includes improved RF immunity, a further reduction in perceived high frequency noise and low cut filter modification, with the lower -3 dB point changed from 300 to 120 Hz. Like its predecessor, the shotgun comes complete with a kit of Rycote weatherproof systems.
V48Hours attracts thousands of moviemakers, from experienced film directors to enthusiastic newcomers across New Zealand. This year, 700 teams pooled their talents to create a short film in just one weekend. Teams are assigned a genre at the start of the contest, plus a list of random elements they must include in their film. Team Hybrid were assigned the Road Movie genre, with random elements to feature including a broken toy, a specific fictional character and a moving camera shot from a dolly.
Withey put his DPA 4017mk2-R through its paces when it came to recording sound for his team's entry, entitled Chicane. "I had to do some rather awkward shots, wide angles, dolly and jib (camera boom) shots and some extreme travelling shots from a moving vehicle. The DPA 4017 came out on top every time."
With just 48 hours to write, shoot, edit and survive, the performance of the recording equipment has to be impeccable. "I'm a perfectionist when it comes to getting the best sound on set, and the DPA 4017mk2-R met my high expectations and more," adds Withey.
This was apparent to the judges, who selected Chicane for the regional finals in Auckland. The winners of this will be selected to compete against film director Peter Jackson's chosen finalists for a prize worth around £50,000.
(Jim Evans)
