Too much of a good thing?

[Son-of-Spam]

What do you find to be a good limit on nat sound pops in peices...i was watching something a while back and it seemed like they were throwing them around left and right...what do you think works the best? Any clips to show either what works or what is overkill would be appreciated...

[Freddie Mercury]

If you start to wonder if it's too many, it probably is. It's a feel thing. I can see anywhere from 2 or 3 to 7 or 8 working in a 1:30 pkg. Maybe more if they really advance the story and don't drag.

Too many is when you start to feel them coming or even dread the next one coming. If they are getting so much attention that you're noticing them, that's probably too many.

[Lost in Alaska]

[If] you're noticing them, that's probably too many.

I think this pretty much sums it up right here. If they break the flow of a story, they are either thrown in to have them, or are getting to be too much.

[Flairmarq]

I usually do two or three when I have the time. I figure flow and time have big factors. Five nat pops in a 1:10 piece maybe pushing it. However, in a 2:15 piece, it might work with flow.

[pre-set]

When my inside voice says - oh - another natbreak....... That's too many.

[Chicago Dog]

I think this pretty much sums it up right here. If they break the flow of a story, they are either thrown in to have them, or are getting to be too much.

What Freddie and Lost said. If you don't really have a basis of comparison, I would have other shooters at your shop take a look.

Nats are a little tricky to get down. You're essentially putting in soundbites -- you want to make sure they go with the flow. Don't stick in a nat just to have it there. Make sure it actually adds to the story.