Learn how to best use an iPad to make videos.

1. MANHATTAN NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORK
Field Production
w/ iPad Mini
Media Education Handbook
Version: May 2018
59th Street Media Center
537 W. 59th Street
New York, NY 10019
www.mnn.org
El Barrio Firehouse Community Media Center
175 E. 104th Street
New York, NY 10029
www.mnn.org/firehouse

2. TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1 Introduction to iPad Equipment 1
Essential Digital Equipment……………………….………………………………………..……….1
iPad Basic Operation….…..…………………………..…………………………………………………..2
Operating the Video Light……..…………………..…………………………….……..……….…4
Operating the Tripod……..………………………….…..…………………………….……..……..……5
Chapter 2 Filmic Pro Camera App 8
Getting Started in Filmic Pro………………………………………………………..….…..……8
Understanding Focus & Exposure……………………………….…………………….….9
Understanding White Balance…………….………………………………………….…….…10
Recording & Reviewing Clips………………………………………………………………….…11
Copying Clips to Camera Roll…..….….………………………………………………….……12
Transferring Clips to a Hard Drive……….……..….………………………………….……13
Deleting Clips from Filmic Pro App….……………………………………………………17
Deleting Clips from Photos App….………………….………………………..……………18
Chapter 3 Capturing an Image 19
Composing Shots using an iPad……….…………………………………………..….…..19
Composition Tips…………….…………..……………………………………………………………….…21
Understanding B-roll………….…………..……………………………………………………….……22
Chapter 4 Sound & Microphones 23
Using the Microphone Splitter………….………………….……..…………….……….…..23
Shotgun Microphone…………………..………………………………………………………….……24
Handheld Microphone………….……..………………………………………………………………25
Lavalier Microphone……………………..………………………………………………………….……26
Setting up a Microphone………….……..…………………………………………………………26

3. ESSENTIAL DIGITAL EQUIPMENT
A complete iPad field equipment package comes with the iPad + charging cable
and base, a tripod, small video light and your choice of one microphone. To be
fully prepared, there are some additional digital equipment you may need to
create digital stories. Here are some of those items:
USB flash drives, often referred to as
thumb drives are used to store data. Think of them
in the same way that floppy disks or CDs were once
used for the same purpose. These small portable
drives vary in design and space capacity. We
recommend MNN users obtain a USB 3.0 drive with
a minimum of 16GBs of space. This space capacity
is sufficient for saving document files such as scripts, notes and even images that
will be used during television productions.
A portable or desktop external hard drive is an essential piece of
digital equipment for media producers. It can be used to transfer and save
recorded media such as video and audio clips. These drives are also used when
editing projects using video editing software.
Portable external hard drives are smaller than
desktop hard drives. Portable hard drives can
be used on-the-go since they are powered by
the computer.
USB Flash Drive1
Chapter 1: Intro to iPad Equipment
Portable vs Desktop External Hard2
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4. Desktop external hard drives are larger, heavier and
need to be plugged into a power outlet to operate.
They will also connect to the computer using USB 3.0
or Thunderbolt connections. These hard drives are
generally more affordable than portable hard drives.
IPAD BASIC OPERATION
How to Turn on the iPad
To power on the iPad, hold down the POWER ON/OFF button for three
seconds. The button is located on the top of the iPad near the round portion of
the iPad’s case. An Apple icon will appear on the display to indicate it is
powering up.
The “Home” Button
Pressing the home button once will wake up the iPad if it is turned on. Pressing
it again will unlock the iPad.
How to Open Applications
Once the iPad is unlocked, you can tap your finger once on the application you
want to open on the iPad.
2
HOME BUTTON
LIGHTNING
CONNECTOR
POWER ON/OFF
HEADPHONE
JACK

5. How to Charge the iPad
Once the iPad’s battery level reaches 20 percent or lower, you will need to
charge the iPad soon. The battery icon on the top of the iPad’s display will
appear red when charging is needed. MNN’s iPad kit comes with the necessary
equipment to charge its battery. To charge the battery, you will need the
charging base and cable. Here are the steps to charging the iPad:
Step 1: Connect the USB end of the cable to the charging base.
Step 2: Connect the charging base to a power outlet.
Step 3: Connect the lightning connector end of the cable to the iPad.
You will see a lightning bolt inside of a battery symbol on the iPad to indicate
that it is charging. If it is not charging try a different power outlet. If it still does
not charge, notify an MNN Production & Facilitation team member.
Charging BaseCharging Cable
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6. OPERATING THE VIDEO LIGHT
The iPad mini’s video light is a great option when shooting outdoors at night or
at locations with very little lighting. Do NOT use this light if you are filming
outdoors during the day.
Attaching Light to iPad
The video light will slide into the slot on top
of your iPad case. This slot is called a “shoe
mount” and is where accessories are
attached to the iPad. Place the iPad on a
soft surface with the screen facing you. With
the light facing away from you, gently push
the video light into the slot on the top of the
iPad’s case. To remove the light, turn it over
and gently push it out of the slot.
Reminder: To avoid breaking the light, make sure the light is facing a soft
surface when pushing it in and out of the shoe mount.
Operating the Video Light
To turn on the video light, press the power button on the side of the light once.
Pressing it again will increase the brightness of the light. To turn the light off,
hold down the power button for three seconds.
When to Use the Filter
The round orange filter ring is used when shooting indoors and lighting is
limited. While this video light will add light to your subject, it will not illuminate
the entire indoor space. To add the ring to the video light, simply place it over
the area where you see the light bulbs and gently push in until you hear a
clicking sound. To remove, gently pull the ring away from the video light.
Charging the Video Light
To charge the light, it comes supplied with a USB charging cable. It is best to
fully charge the light before using. Connect the cable to the video light, then
connect the USB end of the cable to a computer or wall outlet charger with USB
inputs. A green light will flash on the video light indicating it is charging. Once
the light is fully charged, the green light will stop flashing and remain lit.
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7. OPERATING THE TRIPOD
The iPad case has handles for shooting your projects handheld. For more formal
and planned shoots, you may want to use the tripod. The tripod gives you the
ability to stabilize your shots while recording, meaning the video will not be
shaky. This may also be a good option when shooting interviews, lectures or
performances that last a long time. Follow the below steps for setting up the
tripod.
Step 1: Adjust Tripod Arm
Loosen the knob on the side of the tripod and raise the arm until it is in a
horizontal position.
Step 2: Lower Legs
Pull all three legs of the tripod down until they touch the ground standing
straight up. Hold on to the neck of the tripod so that it doesn’t fall over. Push in
the three locks on the very top of the tripod leg. The locks have the word Benro
on them. Pull each leg outward until they form a triangle and the tripod can
stand on its own (see image below).
Step 2: Adjust Tripod Leg & Height
You can adjust the height of the tripod legs
using the the flip latches on the bottom of
each leg. Always extend starting with the
bottom section of the legs first. Afterwards
you can adjust the upper sections.
If additional height is needed, you can
adjust the neck's height. Adjusting the
height of the neck should be used as a last
resort. We recommend keeping the neck
completely lowered. To lower the neck,
twist the gray ring to the left. The neck will
loosen and you can slide it down. Twist the
ring to the right to tighten.
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8. Step 3: Attaching iPad to Tripod
To attach the iPad to the tripod, first remove the plate from the tripod.
To remove the plate, twist the Quick Release (QR) Plate Locking Handle down.
This will loose the lock. Next, while pulling the plate towards you, push in the
blue QR Plate Release Button. The plate will then slide off of the tripod.
For this next step, you will need a coin (a
penny or nickel works best) to attach the
plate to the iPad case. Turn the iPad upside
down so you can see the threads on the bottom
of its case. Attach the tripod plate to the bottom of
the case so that the arrows on the plate are pointing
towards the circular lens opening of the case. The word
“lens” is on the bottom of the plate with an arrow symbol. Use
the coin to tighten the plate onto the iPad’s case.
Note: Due to the size of the handles on the iPad case, you may need to pre-
tighten the QR Locking Handle or loosen it so you can slide the iPad case onto
the tripod.
Now you can turn the iPad upright and slide the plate back onto the tripod from
the back to the front of the tripod. Use the arrows on the tripod and the plate to
guide you in the right direction. If the arrows are going in different directions,
you will not be able to slide the plate onto the tripod. Lastly, fully turn the QR
Plate Locking Handle to lock the iPad into position.
QR Plate Lock
QR Plate Release Button
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9. Step 4: Leveling the Tripod
Leveling the tripod will ensure that what you are recording with the iPad is
straight and horizontally level with the ground. Always level the tripod in the
location where you plan to record your subject. To level the tripod, locate the
blue fastener on the neck. Loosen the fastener and adjust the position using the
bubble level as a guide. You know if your tripod is level when the bubble is
centered within the circle.
Step 5: Panning & Tilting the Tripod
You conduct a pan or tilt using the bar handle on the side of the tripod. To pan,
twist the Pan Lock Handle to unlock. Holding the bar handle, push the arm left
or right to conduct a pan.
To tilt, twist the Title Lock Handle to unlock.
Holding the bar handle, pull up and/or push
down to tilt up and down.
Always remember to lock the Pan and Tilt
lock handles when you are not actively using
those controls. Tilting and Panning are
instrumental when you are recording moving
subjects and when composing shots.
Title Lock Handle
Pan Lock Handle
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10. GETTING STARTED IN FILMIC PRO
Filmic pro is a camera application installed on all of MNN’s iPads. This
application gives users the ability to have manual control over image and audio
settings. In this section we will discuss how to navigate the Filmic Pro
application.
Note: Mobile applications are constantly updated. Please visit
www.filmicpro.com for the most up-to-date app information.
Launching the Application
The Filmic Pro app is located in the
dock on MNN’s iPad. Tap the
application icon once to launch it.
Application Settings
Filmic Pro’s default record settings are
not suitable for airing on MNN. It is
important to make sure the settings
are correct before you begin recording
using Filmic Pro.
To adjust the settings, tap the gear icon located on the bottom right side of the
app. This will open up the SETTINGS window. Tap on the setting option to make
adjustments.
Chapter 2: Filmic Pro Camera App
8

11. When recording content that will air on MNN, make sure you are using the
following settings:
TOP ROW SETTINGS
Resolution: 16:9 HD 1080P Filmic Extreme
Frame Rate: 30 Capture & Playback FPS
Audio: AAC 48.0 kHz
BOTTOM ROW SETTINGS
Stabilization: When using the iPad
handheld, enable this option. When using
it with a tripod, turn it off. When image
stabilization is activated, you will see the
image pictured to the right.
Camera: This options allows you to switch
between the rear and front-facing (selfie-mode) cameras.
Guide: When this feature is activated, you will see thin white guide lines
appear on your screen. These lines assist with lining up and composing
shots. This will be discussed in a later chapter.
UNDERSTANDING FOCUS & EXPOSURE
When you are viewing your image on the iPad, you have the option to select the
specific subject or object that should be exposed and in focus.
Exposure refers to the brightness and darkness of an image. Focus is the
difference between your image looking blurry versus clear.
In Filmic Pro, the SQUARE icon on the app’s display represents
the FOCUS reticle.
The ROUND icon represents the EXPOSURE reticle.
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12. To adjust the FOCUS reticle, drag the square icon with your fingertip to the area
of the video you want to be in focus. Tap once to lock it. Once it is locked the
square will turn red and the locked area will remain in focus.
To adjust the EXPOSURE reticle, drag the circle icon with. Your fingertip to the
area of the video you want to expose. Tap once to lock it. Once it is locked, the
circle will turn red. To
manually adjust exposure,
hold down the exposure
reticle until a wheel
appears on the left side of
the screen. Drag the wheel
up or down to increase or
decrease exposure
settings.
UNDERSTANDING WHITE BALANCE
White balance will make sure the color of the image looks as it would appear to
the naked eye. Filmic Pro by default will automatically white balance your shot.
You can manually adjust it or lock it so that it doesn’t change. When the AWB
icon is blue, it means the iPad will automatically adjust the white balance. If you
tap on it once with your fingertip, it will turn red. This means the white balance is
locked and will not change even if the lighting changes.
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WHITE BALANCE
ICON

13. RECORDING & REVIEWING CLIPS
Once your settings are established and your shot is composed, you are
ready to begin recording. You will record and manage clips directly inside
of Filmic Pro.
Recording Clips in Filmic Pro
To begin recording, press the WHITE circle icon on the bottom right side of the
window. Once recording has begun, the circle will turn RED. The timecode clock
will run when recording indicating how much time has elapsed. It will remain
RED until you press it again to stop the recording.
Reviewing Clips in Filmic Pro
To review the clips you have recorded in Filmic Pro, press the PLAY icon to the
left of the record icon. You will see a window pop up that shows thumbnails of
all of your recorded clips. To play the clip, tap on the thumbnail image. This will
bring the clip fullscreen. Press the PLAY icon on the left side of the window to
playback the clip. To exit the clip playback window, press the X on the top right
side of the window.
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14. Once you have completed your recordings, you are going to want to
manage the Media on the iPad. This could consist of copying, transferring
and deleting clips from the iPad.
COPYING CLIPS TO CAMERA ROLL
Once you have recorded clips to use for your video productions, you will want to
copy them from the iPad onto a hard drive. Doing this will give you the ability to
edit the using video editing software. Follow these steps to copy media from the
iPad.
• To select the clips you want to copy, tap the PLAY icon on the bottom
right of the screen.
• Next, select the icon with the checkmark icon. This will reveal a RED
bar on the left side of each clip.
• Tap on the clip or clips you want to transfer. The RED bar will turn
GREEN. This lets you know the clip has been selected.
• Once you’ve selected all of the clips you want to copy. Tap on the
icon that looks like a film roll (to the right of the checkmark icon).
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15. • A window will open indicating COPYING TO PHOTOS. clips to the
Camera Roll. Copying a clip will duplicate it and place a copy in the
PHOTOS application on the iPad. You can select OK and your clip will
be located in the PHOTOS application. Make sure your clip copied
successfully before deleting it from Filmic Pro.
TRANSFERRING CLIPS TO HARD DRIVE
The clips copied to the CAMERA ROLL will now need to be transferred to a
personal hard drive using a computer. Transferring clips to a hard drive prepares
you for the editing process. To transfer clips from an iPad, you will need the
following items:
• Portable or Desktop Hard Drive
• The USB to Lightning cable
• The iPad
• Mac Computer (via Image Capture)
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16. • Connect your portable or external hard drive to the appropriate port on
the back of the computer. In most cases, it will be a USB cable that is
plugged into the computer, but MNN’s computers also accept
Thunderbolt.
• Find the USB cable located inside of your iPad’s bag. Plug the USB end of
the cable into the USB port on the back of the computer. There is only
one way the cable will fit, so avoid forcing it. If it will not go in, flip it over
and try inserting it the other way. Connect the lightning end of the cable
into the iPad.
Once you connect the cable to the iPad, you may see a message on the iPad
asking you to “Trust This Computer?” If you see this message, select TRUST on
the iPad. If windows automatically open on your computer, select CANCEL or
click on the RED circle in the top left of the window. You will not use any
applications that automatically open up when you plug in the iPad.
Image Capture is an application that comes pre-
installed on all Mac computers. This app gives you the
ability to transfer images/videos from an iPad or
iPhone.
• Navigate to the dock on your Mac
computer and find the Image Capture
icon. Single-click on the Image Capture
icon to open the application.
14
CONNECT DEVICES
STEP
1
LAUNCH IMAGE CAPTURE
STEP
2

17. • Once the application is launched, click the name of the iPad under the
DEVICES section.
• You will now be able to see thumbnails of all the videos and photos
captured using the iPad. You can select the clips you want to transfer in a
variety of ways. Selected clips will appear blue. There are three ways to
select clips:
• OPTION 1: Left-click on ONE image or video to choose a single
image or video.
• OPTION 2: Hold down the SHIFT key on the keyboard and select a
group of images/videos in order. To do this, select the first thumbnail
you want to transfer. Continue holding SHIFT and select the last
thumbnail.
• OPTION 3: Hold down the COMMAND key on the keyboard and
single-click on specific images/videos. You would do this option if you
want to jump around the list to select various images/videos.
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SELECT CLIPS
STEP
3

18. Once the clips you want to import are selected, you will then choose where to
import them.
• On the bottom right side of the window where it reads IMPORT TO,
click on the the up/down arrows to reveal a dropdown list. Choose the
last option on the list by clicking on OTHER.
• This will open a new window where you will choose where to transfer
the imported clips. Always work from left to right when selecting a
path for saving files. Find the name of your hard drive that you
plugged in, it will appear on the far left. Click on your hard drive’s
name and then choose create a NEW FOLDER. (For class purposes
ONLY, you will select the DESKTOP option and create a NEW
FOLDER). Select CHOOSE.
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IMPORT CLIPS
STEP
4

19. • This will return you to the IMAGE CAPTURE application where you
can begin importing by selecting IMPORT located on the bottom
right side of the window. Note: Choosing IMPORT ALL will import
every image and video on your iPad. The imported clips should now
be in your folder on your hard drive. Confirm they are there and
delete them from the iPad.
DELETING CLIPS FROM FILMIC PRO APP
After you complete your recordings using Filmic Pro, it is important to delete
them before returning the iPad to MNN. To delete clips from Filmic Pro, do the
following:
‣ Select the PLAY icon to view thumbnails
of recorded media.
‣ Select the CHECKMARK icon. This will
give you the ability to select the clips
you want to delete. Selected clips will
have a green sidebar.
‣ Click on the TRASHCAN icon to delete
the clips. You will get a popup window asking you to “confirm deletion.”
17
This slider will enlarge
the thumbnail size.

20. DELETING CLIPS FROM PHOTOS APP
After you copied clips from Filmic Pro to the Photos app, you will also need to
delete them from that location.
To delete clips from the PHOTOS app, follow these steps:
• Launch the Photos application on the iPad.
• Select ALBUMS on the bottom of the window.
• Select the album titled CAMERA ROLL to view all of the images and
videos captured with your iPad.
• Choose the SELECT option on the top right side of the screen.
• Tap on the thumbnail to select the images or videos you want to delete. A
blue checkmark will appear indicating it is selected.
• Select the trashcan icon on the top left side of the screen.
• Click on DELETE PHOTOS. The number of deleted photos will depend on
how many images and/or videos you selected.
**Reminder: Always make sure you have copied the media you want to
save before deleting it from the iPad.
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21. COMPOSING SHOTS USING AN IPAD
Composing a shot refers to how your subject appears and is framed when
filming. Whether you are recording music performances, formal interviews or
recording videos of flowers, shots composed and recorded on an iPad will
ultimately make up an important element of your digital stories. In this section,
we will explain the types of shots, how to compose those shots and important
tips to keep in mind when creating shots using an iPad.
Types of Shots
There are many types of shots that can be composed using an iPad. We will
focus on four primary shot types: Long Shot, Medium Shot, Medium Close-up
and Close-up.
LONG SHOT
The long shot, also known as a wide
shot shows the entire subject from
top to bottom. When shooting
people, this would consist of their
entire body. This shot is designed to
establish where your subject is
located to help tell the story.
MEDIUM SHOT
The medium shot shows the middle
range of your shot. This is typically
framed from your subjects head to
their waist. Avoid framing directly at
your subject’s waist. It is best to frame
the shot slightly above the waist or
above the knees. This shot is good
when your subject is demonstrating
something with their hands.
Chapter 3: Capturing an Image
19
LONG/WIDE
MEDIUM

22. MEDIUM CLOSE-UP (aka Bust Shot)
This shot is commonly referred to
as the “bust shot” as it is framed
right beneath your subject’s bust
to their head. This shot is
commonly used during interviews.
As the shot type gets closer to the
subject, it draws more attention to
the subject on-camera and away
from the background.
CLOSE-UP SHOT
The close-up shot places all of the
attention on the subject by
framing one specific area of the
subject, such as the head, hands
or feet. This shot is used to convey
feelings and emotion of the
subject. This shot should be used
sparingly and only when you want
the viewer to pay special attention to something in the shot. When the shot is
framed this close, it is okay if portions of the subject’s head are cut off.
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MEDIUM CLOSE-UP
CLOSE-UP

23. How to Compose a Shot
When composing a shot, think of it as looking through a picture frame. The
images you are recording will be what you see in that picture frame.
You can compose a shot handheld by holding the handles on the iPad’s case.
Keep your elbows close to your body when shooting handheld. You can also use
the tripod to compose a steady shot.
COMPOSITION TIPS
• Determine where your
subject will be placed. When
doing so, be aware of what is
in front of and behind your
subject. Depending on the
shot type, the background/
foreground should add
interest and be related to the
subject of the shot.
• Compose the shot by moving the iPad or tripod closer or further away
from your subject. When using the tripod, remember to unlock the pan
and tilt locks while framing your shot. *Avoid using the iPad’s zoom
function to get closer to your subject.
• Be aware of how much space is above your
subject’s head. This is referred to as
“headroom”. Too much or too little headroom
can distract the viewer.
• It may seem more natural to position your
subject directly in the center of the frame and
when the subject is speaking directly to the
viewer, this is appropriate. During more formal interviews, try to position
your subject to the left or right side of the screen. This gives the viewer
the illusion that they are speaking to someone off-camera. Your subject
should typically be looking off-camera unless they are speaking directly to
the viewer.
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TOO MUCH HEADROOM

24. UNDERSTANDING B-ROLL
To understand B-roll you must first understand A-roll. A-roll is the media that
“tells” the story. This would typically consist of interviews, a talk show host on
camera (think Ellen or Oprah) or a news anchor speaking on camera. This
footage typically consists of the primary audio that will be used throughout your
digital story. If your story does not consist of voice narration by a host or news
anchor or from interviews, you can use music or sounds to tell the story.
B-roll is essential to digital stories. It is the element that makes those stories
more interesting. If you just had Ellen or an interview subject on screen the
entire time, your viewer would get bored. B-roll is a visual (image or video) that
adds interest to your story and relates to the audio that is being heard. If Ellen is
interviewing someone talking about their vacation in Hawaii, B-roll would be
photos of her interviewee surfing in Hawaii.
Let’s look at the images below to see an example of A-roll & B-roll.
When shooting B-roll, always do the following:
• Record one object 10 different ways. The more B-roll, the better!
• Record your subject as B-roll before or after the interview.
• Record each shot for at least 10 seconds.
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A-ROLL
B-ROLL

25. One of the most important elements of digital storytelling is capturing sound.
Depending on the type of story you tell, a microphone could play a major role
during production. The iPad comes with a built-in microphone that can pick up
audio from close distances in relatively quiet spaces. Using the built-in
microphone is a quick and simple way to tell your stories. To add more control to
your sound, we recommend using an external microphone. An external
microphone is a microphone that is plugged into the iPad’s headphone jack.
MNN offers three external microphone options: shotgun, handheld and lavalier.
There are various factors involved when deciding what is the best microphone to
use for your projects. Let’s explore the microphone options and the best use for
each.
USING THE MICROPHONE SPLITTER
Before you connect your microphone to the
iPad, plug in the microphone splitter to the
iPad’s headphone jack. This splitter has three
connections. You can plug in two microphones
and one set of headphones. This splitter gives
you the ability to hear sound while recording
clips via the Filmic Pro application.
Important Note: You must have the Filmic Pro app launched before attaching
any external audio devices. If you do not have the app open the microphones
may not work properly.
Chapter 4: Sound & Microphones
23

26. SHOTGUN MICROPHONE
The Shotgun microphone is typically used during music performances and
unplanned interviews of one or more persons. For instance, if you attend a
music festival and you want to film some of the artists performing, you could use
the shotgun microphone to record those performances. Keep in mind, the
shotgun microphone will only pick up sounds from close distances, so if your
microphone is more than 4-5 feet away from the audio source, the sound may
not be very clear. When conducting interviews with the
a shotgun microphone, try to stay within 2-4 feet of
the subject.
How to Use the Shotgun Microphone
The Shotgun microphone consists of three pieces: the
microphone, a windshield and the cable. Never use
the shotgun microphone with the windshield on
unless it is windy. Here are the steps to using the
shotgun microphone:
• Remove the windshield (unless it’s windy) and
store it inside of the iPad bag.
• Launch Filmic Pro on the iPad.
• Make sure the black end of the cable is
connected to the end of the shotgun microphone.
• Plug the grey end of the cable into the splitter or headphone jack on the
iPad.
• Attach the microphone to the shoe mount on the top of the iPad’s case.
We recommend using the shoe mount closest to the headphone jack.
• You are now ready to begin recording. Do a quick test recording and play
it back to make sure you are receiving sound from the microphone. If you
are not hearing sound, disconnect the microphone for three seconds and
reconnect it.
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27. HANDHELD MICROPHONE
Handheld microphones are typically used during on-location news reporting and
interviewing. You will often see this microphone used when you have a host
conducting interviews on the street, which are referred to as “man-on-the-
street” interviews. The most important thing to remember when using handheld
microphones is how close the
host/talent keeps the microphone
to their mouth. The closer to the
talent’s mouth, the louder the
sound will be. The further away,
the quieter the sound will be. We
recommend the microphone stay
around 6 inches away from the
speaker’s mouth.
How to use the Handheld Microphone
The Handheld microphone includes two pieces: the microphone and the cable.
The supplied cable is the ONLY cable you can use with this microphone. Using
other cables with this microphone could potentially damage the mic. The cable
for this microphone is approximately 6-feet long and comes with a headphone
splitter so there is no need to use the standard splitter. Here are the steps to
using the handheld microphone:
• Launch Filmic Pro.
• Connect the XLR end of the cable (plug with three prongs) to the
handheld microphone.
• Plug the other end of the cable into the iPad.
• You are now ready to begin recording. Always conduct a test recording
and review the audio before you begin your actual recording.
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28. LAVALIER MICROPHONE
The Lavalier microphone is connected to your subject using a small lapel clip.
You can clip this microphone onto people’s clothing or musical instruments.
When filming people, this is the best microphone to use when conducting an
interview with a single person. Since attaching the microphone can take some
time, this microphone is best for planned interviews in which permission was
granted in advance.
How to use the Lavalier Microphone
The Lavalier microphone comes attached to a
cable. It also comes with a 25-foot extension cable
that gives you the ability to place your subject
further away from the iPad if needed. Here are the
steps to using the lavalier microphone:
• Launch Filmic Pro.
• Attach the lapel clip to your subject. Drop
the cable down the top of your subject’s shirt
or clip to a jacket. Connect the extension
cable, if needed.
• Plug the other end of the cable into the iPad.
• You are now ready to begin recording. Always
remember to conduct a test recording before the actual recording.
SETTING UP A MICROPHONE
‣ Step 1: Launch the Camera application
‣ Step 2: Connect your microphone
‣ Step 3: Conduct a test recording (NEVER tap on the mic to conduct an
audio test)
‣ Step 4: Play back the test clip to ensure the audio was recorded
‣ Step 5: Begin your actual recording
26

29. Field Production w/ iPad Mini
Disclaimer
This handbook was developed and designed for use
in the Field Production w/ iPad Mini certification
course at Manhattan Neighborhood Network.
Elements of this book refer to equipment and system
settings that are specific only to Manhattan
Neighborhood Network’s iPads.
Copying, duplicating and the use of this handbook
requires the permission of Manhattan
Neighborhood Network. To request the use of this
handbook, in whole or in part, please contact
education@mnn.org.
Version: July 2018