I was recently invited by a fellow filmmaker to handle audio recording for a film shoot up on Manitoulin Island. The rate was fair, and more importantly, it was a perfect opportunity to sharpen my skills as an audio recordist. While I’ve got plenty of experience in the field, I had just graduated from TARA in Ottawa and was excited to put some of that fresh knowledge into practice.
I spent the first day wrestling with my gear setup, making sure everything was dialed in and ready for the early morning call time. By day two, things ran surprisingly smooth — not bad for my first time back on set in eight months. The pace was what you’d expect: long, full days, with just enough time to eat, sleep, and prep for the next.
One of the unexpected highlights was exploring the island on our days off. My Boom Op, Sid, is a bit of a foodie, so we hit up some great local spots with stunning views. On our first off-day, we visited several small villages that dot the island, and I took the chance to snap some quick shots despite the overcast skies — a few of them turned out better than I expected.
The real adventure came the next day when we hiked the Cup and Saucer Trail — a five-kilometer climb with some incredible lookouts. The views from the cliffside were breathtaking. Of course, I brought my camera along.
Throughout the shoot, we spent most of our time deep in the bush. I managed to capture a few scenic stills between takes, and on the second-last day, we wrapped with a gorgeous sunset scene. While the cameras weren’t rolling, I took a few shots of the landscape with my phone — the kind of moment you can’t pass up.
It feels good to be back in the rhythm of film work after my school break. Here’s to more creative adventures, both behind the mic and behind the lens.
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