mikewest

Worked with an amazing voice over artist years ago. Flew him up to Auckland to record a track Had a Neumann U47fet i on demo Wow what a result! Said to him what an amazing voice you have!!!! "Yep, that's a bottle of whisky a day a day does for you" was the reply. mike

Great job! mike

Rob has said it Zip the neck down and put a Tram on the inside edge of the garment Any conflicts tell the the director Mike worked with the Cousteau teams for 20 years! Good luck mike

Flight suit in a cockpit a Tram on garment edge will do it (or a plant in cockpit) Human flying bird suit a well a hidden Tram will get the screams and wind. Seat of your pants stuff I guess! mike

Use your dynamic near the weapon Plant your 60 on a cable looking at end of range/far buildings/hills and enjoy mike

I recorded a UK mini-series in the Cook Islands in 1991 One weekend a unit guy had a bad vehicle accident and was killed. Two days later we were shooting near the local church and graveyard. At the appropriate moment we stopped shooting and walked down to the grave site for the burial. A sad moment, but one of our lead cast jumped up by the grave complete with guitar and sang a moving and relevant song. We all stood there in floods of tears then trooped back to set and continued shooting. Sad and bonding but a marvellous memory. mike

Old vehicles ignition systems are a common problem as not usually suppressed Another problem is the springs in old vehicle seats that cause rf noises when conpressed I've also had problems with snow mobiles Best bet with any vehicle rig is to put the receivers right behind the actors that are rigged mike

Text and or email not a problem its only a booking tool Next an email or phone call from me to ask for script/treatment/storyboard/boom op? This is showBUSINESS mike

Always Poly Funny story arises: Serviced a very big US medication commercial last year 9 radio mikes on actors / 1 on clapper loader plus two booms Contacted post in NY and said what I was going to deliver Total astonishment! Oh my God! It will take hours to sync it! I said I'll deliver poly tracks "What? - please send a sample!!" I emailed 10 seconds of audio on 6 tracks Back came the reply "wow they all move together!!" mike

My wife is somewhat deaf! (but this allows me to run the home cinema levels as they should be) mike

I've sat in on mixes and generally had a good rapport with post mixers. If have a good working relationship with a director (you've just worked with) he's the best guy to gently sound off any concerns and realise too that he is still the director! mike

Interesting clip Did not look dangerous to me, I've done far riskier things on documentaries mike

All of the above and charge if need be previously advising the UPM of risk involved "it's only sound!' mike

If you can afford it> Do freebies with good sound guys Make contacts Learn the job and the skills Then move on to promoting yourself mike

I love being the oldest person on set! I know my job, get respect and know where I can set up and not move all day. I started boom operating in 1966 mike

Great stuff! Can't help but feel that a fuse from the power input is a good bet to prevent a melt down!! mike

Floor cables for microphones use Canare star quad cables and Neutrix connectors Put sleeves on pin 2 and 3 when soldering Cut the screen a bit shorter than the line cables then solder as this then provides additional stress relief mike

Carry two different sizes of sink plug in your toilet bag! Always knock your boots out before you put them on in the morning. I lived in Africa for 3 years! mike

Oh yes - I remember the days when I'd get messages from post saying my DAT machine was running slow!!!!!!!!! mike

I always relate a room tone to the scene So Sc34 room tone Easy?? mike

Cheers guys for the info mike

Anyone had experience with Block 24 in new Delhi please??? Pls email me direct Thanks mike mike@mikewestgatesound.co.nz

I've usually found that with drama shoots there is adequate time and info to be prepared, Nowdays my commercial shoots are not straightforward as I get a script and storyboards and some emails. I often arrive on call to find the story has change - no dialogue or more actors or "they may speak" ? Most stressful preps are for overseas documentaries. Equipment choice and testing/ backups/ spares / tools/ batteries / R/T's / rushes delivery kit then Carnet application docs / bond payment / equipment insurance / health insurance / vaccinations /Visas/ currency Finally sitting on the plane with a glass of champagne is a moment of ultimate relaxation after all that! mike www.mikewestgatesound.co.nz

Fascinating stuff guys !!!! My own approach would be to use a lav on the presenter/s and hide a Sanken CUB-01 for cooking fx mike www.mikewestgatesound.co.nz

Get actor to wear T shirt or vest underneath outer garment Worst experience I had was miking 9 actors in a very big American commercial One actor had shaved his chest and all I got was scrape scrape on his garment mike www.mikewestgatesound.co.nz