Michael Klein Photo Assistant / Video Grip / Sound Guy

Audio field mixer, video grip, and photography assistant available for  commercial shoots, interviews and documentaries.


+1 (713) 851-0647

About Me

My background

Basically I’m like a Swiss Army knife.  As a photo assistant, video grip, and audio field mixer, I'm capable of handling multiple roles on a small crew. 

As far as my experience, it runs the gamut from the days of film to digital, location, studio, celebrities, documentaries, executive portraits, editorial, food, fashion, sports, architecture, corporate, industrial, lifestyle, offshore and medical. I also have my RigPass, T-HUET & TWIC certifications for working around oil & gas projects. When it comes to traveling abroad, I have my TSA Pre Check, passport, and vaccinations up-to-date. 

My experience

I've been fortunate to work with a lot of photographers and videographers of various disciplines and caliber. Below is just a brief list of who I have worked with:  

Photography:  Trish Badger, Gary Barchfeld, Curtis Bean, Robert Beck, Bruce Bennett,  Steve Brady, Justin Calhoun, Brad Carr, Barry Champagne, Ken Childress,  Drew Donovan, Barry Fantich, Thierry des Fontaines, Dom Furore, Justin Gollmer, Bob Gomel, Mark Green, Maarten de Groot, Mitchell Hasseth, Michael Hart, Bob Houser, Rachel Hudgins, Jim Hughes, Brent Humphreys, Jill Hunter, Walter Iooss, Atiba Jefferson, Scott Jones, Eric Kayne, Drew Kelly, Scott Kohn, James LaCombe, Paul Ladd, George Lange, Sandy King Lankford, Christian Lantry, Annie Leibovitz, John Lewis, Ben Liebenberg, Jason Lindsey, Nathan Lindstrom, Michael LoBiondo, Hal Lott, Mary Ellen Mark, Steve Marsel, Chas McGrath, Gideon Mendel, Howard Menken, Eric Meola, Ricardo Merendoni, August Miller, Jack Mitchell, Alan Montgomery, Marc Morrison, Audra Oden, Richard Phibbs, Sasha Preziosa, Mauricio Ramirez, Janice Rubin, Warwick Saint, Chris Salvo, Tom Sanders, Ron Scott, Robert Seale, Chris Shinn, Jim Sims, Michael Scott Sloser, Ralph Smith, Mary Jane Starke, Paul Swen, Tim Tadder, Bob Thomason, Ellis Vener and Bob Werre.

Video:  Gotham Image Works,  Image in Action, McNee Productions, MDI Video, Nadji Productions, NFL Films, One More Time Productions, Plaid  Pony Productions, Ricardo Merendoni, Video Perspective and Jake Wilganowski.

Audio:  4th Church of Christ Scientists, 33 Visual,  BrandTales, Sandy Buller, ESPN, Ground Media. Bob Houser, Nathan Lindstrom, Ricardo Merendoni. No Frames LLC, Plaid Pony Productions, Marc Pretorius, Robert Seale, Yesenia Rodriguez, VideoEnvy,  ZapBoomBang Studios.


In addition to my skills and experience,  I bring a great attitude and a robust grip kit customized for each project.  I can scout locations, reserve equipment, studios, grip trucks and recommend local crew. 


Member of ASMP.

My Audio Package

As far as audio, I have an 8 channel field mixer/recorder package that's great for doing interviews and small crew documentaries. 

My kit includes:

  • Zoom F8, 8 channel mixer/recorder, Zoom F Controller and a Zoom H6 mixer/recorder as backup. 
  • 12’ K-tek carbon fiber boom pole with internal cable
  • Rycote Cyclone blimp with dead wombat for the Sennheiser MKH416, (This is one of the world’s best systems for handling wind.)
  • Sennheiser MKH 416 outdoor shotgun mic with softie
  • Sennheiser MKH 50 indoor boom mic with softie
  • 3 Sennheiser ew 100 G3 wireless omni lav kits, 
  • 2 Sanken COS 11D wireless omni lavs, each with a Sennheiser MZA 900 P - In-Line Preamplifier to convert the COS 11D’s into wired lavs when necessary.
  • 1 SKP 100 Plug-on transmitter with a dynamic Audio Technica AT8004L mic.
  • 2 Sony ECM-44B wired omni lavs
  • Dumb Slate
  • Ikan 95wh battery system

Rates

Photo Assistant $350

Up to a 10 hour day.

11-12 hours

$52.50/hour

Over 12 hours

$70/hour

Video Grip $450

Up to a 10 hour day.

11-12 hours

$67.50/hour

Over 12 hours

$90/hour

Sound Guy $600 + Kit Fee

Up to 10 hours of Field Recording. Basic kit fee $200. Does not include editing or audio sweetening.

11-12 hours

$90/hour

Over 12 hours

$120/hour

I accept PayPal

+1 (713) 851-0647

Projects

Hosted ASMP Assistant's Workshop

May 23, 2017 hosted an all day ASMP Assistants Workshop at Texcam in Houston.  Panel included distinguished photographers Michael Hart, Nathan Lindstrom and Robert Seale plus fellow assistant/digi-tech/drone operator  Travis Schiebel. http://epicsoftware.com/asmp-workshop-for-photography-assistants

Audio for Patient Testimonial

Had the wonderful opportunity to work with Bob Houser on a multi-day shoot in Louisiana. The project was about a young man with a very rare disease. With the help of specialized medicine, a team of doctors, this courageous young man has overcome numerous challenges and is attending college and holding a job.   https://www.morquiosity.com/

Audio of Hurricane Harvey Survivor Interviews

It started with a brief email from Stacy at Plaid Pony Productions.  She wanted to do a Hurricane Harvey benefit to help the people in need.  I had 1 day to assemble a Houston crew of volunteers. We interviewed 3 families the next day.  The stories of the survivors were incredible.  The video was played at the #STRENGTHINNEIGHBORS Hurricane Harvey Benefit in Austin.https://vimeo.com/234792703/61d5ee1418 , https://vimeo.com/234704306/c9cfa592b8 , https://vimeo.com/234779652/acc56a2a1a

Audio for Breathe In

Ground Media created this moving documentary on Tuberculosis.  While the public has shifted its focus to other diseases such as AIDS and ZIKA, TB is still a big concern.  My oldest brother had TB.  


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Contact Me

Drop me a line!

Look forward to hearing from you!

If you're planning a photo or video production in the Houston area call me.  If I'm not available, or not a good fit,  I can help you find someone who is.

Michael Klein Photo Assistant Video Grip Sound Guy

2226 Eaglerock Dr., Houston, TX 77080-5202, us

+1 (713) 851-0647

You can email me or request a link on Facebook.

Michael@MichaelKleinPhotoAssistantVideoGripSoundGuy.com