Boom operators can have the task of solely operating
a shotgun microphone & fish pole / boom pole or
may also have to mix & record multiple audio sources.
They have many nicknames from sound guy or sound person
or audio person, sound man or woman, audio tech, production
sound recordist or mixer - all integrating a boom
microphone AKA shotgun microphone often for field
production. In europe they often call production sound
people soundee's, soundies or a soundy on the camera
crew. This is most likely the case for synonyms for
video production as opposed to feature film production.
There are also boom operators in production crews
for sole responsibility of operating a shotgun or
boom microphone in tandem with the sound mixer/recordist
- sometimes called the sound engineer or audio engineer
on larger scale productions in television, video or
film.
In
video production the audio tech or person is often
operating a boom and mixing lavaliers for the sound
recording. In larger scale film productions for major
motion pictures the boom operator is apart from the
sound recordist or audio engineer (AKA a sound engineer
being the overseer of the sound crew on a film production)
with the task of capturing the actors dialogue or
gathering
sound for sound effects or other production needs.
The History of the
Boom Operator
The
boom operator was originally employed on film crews
and has evolved to the modern diverse sound role of
video, television, as well as film productions having
the same, or more responsibilities. The first boom
operators worked in tandem with a sound recordist
to operate a shotgun microphone over the actors; but
since then, the boom operator's production roles has
both remained the same, as well as evolved into multiple
task production duties for the camera crew. All these
production tasks require a familiar. I have worked
the boom for feature films, all types of television,
corporate video, television commercials among other
productions in TV, video & film production to
all audiences. Keeping the mic out of the shot, keeping
it closer and avoiding shadows are the sign of the
veteran boom operator. The boom operator was invented
in feature film camera crew roles where a person with
a shotgun mic followed the actors with a boom pole
or fish pole which ran into a sound recording cart
or device. The boom operator is still this role or
often multi tasking in video production operations
too.
Working
a boom is simple, keep it close, on axis and choose
the best pattern - EASY,
but don't forget your levels & choose the right
shotgun microphone.
Working the boom is easy in tandem mixing lavaliers
or other specific microphones as a sound person is
common and the term is broadly used.
For
larger production features or ads a boom operator
or multiple boom operators are often deployed and
lavaliers are used as well hidden on the actors. Boom
microphones also eliminate the clothing rustle sounds
common on hidden microphones. A quick response is
required of the boom operator in proximity, distance
and levels by the boom operator, as well as, any these
missed reduce the sound quality of the recording.
What
are my common local areas ? As a boom operator I have
worked about every major city in Colorado, many towns,
and famous areas. Recent cities have included: Denver,
Boulder, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Littleton, Englewood,
Lakewood, Golden, Lone Tree, Centennial, Greenwood
Village, Fort Collins, Vail, Aspen, Broomfield, Westminster,
Thornton, Northglenn, Parker, Castle Rock, Lafayette,
Louisville, Arvada, Wheat Ridge, Breckenridge,
Beaver Creek, Winter Park, Dillon, and Avon in the
past 2 months.
Common
Audio Problems with Misused Booms?
Why
does it sound hollow? A open mic(s) mixed in or on
a separate channel or the boom is not close enough
or the mic is off axis with the pickup pattern.
Why
do I hear the noise outside? The boom gain is too
high and not close enough to the subjects or a broader
pickup pattern boom is in use. Or it's just to darn
noisy outside.
Why
does the boom have to be close? Some shotguns microphones
do not to be as close to the subjects, but many do
to differentiate the sound desired to be recorded.
Shotgun microphones have particular pickup patterns
and sensitivity and even the more sensitive ones should
be closer to differentiate the sound of the subject
to be isolated.
Buzzing
noise in the audio? Can be caused by poorly grounded
buildings, improperly powering a microphone or by
other electrical problems.
Why
does the audio sound weaker or not as clear or bright?
The mic is off axis and needs to pickup in a better
direction or it is too far away from the subjects.
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