Synchronized symphony

Nazim Djoudi, a Parisian film producer, DOP and sound engineer, is the founder of Néné Photographie, a company dedicated to promoting and documenting musicians and talented artists. “Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with extraordinary artists such as Amp Fiddler, Tété, Milan Sladek, and Wulfin Lieske,” he recalls.

The Wieskirche, a UNESCO World Heritage renowned for its stunning baroque architecture, is a beautifully-preserved pilgrimage church set in the breathtaking landscape of an Alpine valley. Djoudi had the unique opportunity of being the first filmmaker to professionally record a live concert at this prestigious venue, featuring members of the Bavarian State Orchestra. “Recording the first professional live concert at the Wieskirche was an incredible honor and deeply rewarding,” Djoudi states. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and there was no room for error.”

Djoudi’s preparation was thorough, undertaking an in-depth study of the music and the church’s dimensions to optimize camera, light, and microphone placements. “For projects like this, the most critical aspects are pre-production and time management,” Djoudi explains.

Despite the careful planning, numerous challenges emerged, including tourists encroaching on setup time and last-minute changes to the orchestral arrangement, which necessitated a repositioning of the cameras. “There were so many challenges and unexpected changes that I could write a book about it,” Djoudi recalls.

The concert was captured using eight cameras, twelve lights, multiple microphones, and high-end audio converters. Djoudi deployed four Nikon Z8 cameras and four Z6 cameras, each equipped with Ninja monitor-recorders and Atomos Connect modules and recording in 4K ProRes 10-bit NLOG. “Within seconds, I can check the recording format and fine-tune the exposure settings, ensuring the cameras achieve the best possible dynamic range,” he explains.

Djoudi relied on the Ninja for its high resolution display and built-in intuitive monitoring tools, such as waveform. “The Ninja’s tools allowed me to achieve results much faster, which is crucial in live production where timing is everything.”

“AirGlu has saved me hours in post. Editing becomes far more enjoyable, allowing me to deliver the finished product to my client more quickly.”