Jan McL

These are among my favorite, most-used tools: What are yours? -- Jan

Philip

Sold the 700 freq quad to a colleague in Germany (Hi, Patrick) and will invest in a second 'quad' of Zaxcoms (with a prayer to the NY legislature to please pass the budget with the film tax credit intact soon). -- Jan

Thinking a little more (with Eric's post) maybe the project box can sit where the podium mounts are and eliminate the cables down the side of the cart, while protecting the connection from the village/DIT. OK. Now we're getting somewhere. You people rock my world. Really. -- Jan

Made a wee video for you, Jeff, so you can see what I'm talking about & need to solve. http://qik.com/video/FFB2A1EF327C45BFB1D3388F6F54DC71 While you're correct that a box is a simple solution, it's not the solution I aim for, which is cable neatness / reduction from level to level on the cart. - Jan

OMG, Bud, that sounds like a brilliant idea. Gonna try it post haste.

Tempers flying, not enough time for generosity, not imagining the implications of what you do on other departments' work, taking any of the above personally, all indicate lack of experience or are asshole alerts. Either way, good information, LOL.

Toward further finessing the cart, I'm thinking it would be great to be able to panel mount the RCA's I use to connect the video monitors (among other things, but this is the first project to come along that makes sense, 'cause it won't screw me up totally if I do it badly) from video village or DIT. I'm thinking two RCAF panel-mounted connectors on the top side, and on the bottom, 2 BNCF's and two RCAF's so I can connect either BNC video cable or RCAM from a balun. Between the connectors is the 1/16" steel "top shelf" of the Gemini Jr. cart. I stand ready to drill holes. There would have to be a "box" on the underside of the shelf for the wiring. I'd have to order panel-mounted connectors. RCA F: http://www.markertek.com/Cables-Connectors-Adapters/Audio-Connectors/RCA-Connectors/TecNec-Cables-Connectors/RE-PFCM.xhtml BNC F: http://www.markertek.com/Cables-Connectors-Adapters/Video-Connectors/BNC-Connectors/TecNec-Cables-Connectors/RE-BFCM.xhtml Hopefully there's a pre-made "box" I can use. Low-profile = good. Any ideas? -- Jan

I used the conference call with an iPhone as the main device to connect the director to two actors, and while it was accomplished not to record the audio, I tucked that idea into my head for future recording purposes. Conceptually, it should work as well as anything except for the third call-connectivity question, which is no small matter to consider. Let us know what you decide to do, and how you liked it. -- Jan

Stopped using my 700 frequencies in the fall of 2008 after I had a complete loss of all the wires when in line of sight of the Verizon building in NYC. Verizon bought their share of the frequencies, and my guess was that they were experimenting. Couldn't afford to take that chance again. Those radios sat languishing while the FCC / technology dust settled, and I finally decided what to do a couple of weeks ago. I hear you, Bob. I was pretty darned peeved with the FCC m'self. Cost me, you, and lots of others a lot of $. That's in part why the decision of what to do was difficult to make. Glad the decision part is over and I have a plan. -- Jan

Hi, Eric. I KNEW there had to be at least one boom operator lurking here. Nice to meet you. Maybe it's time for a story. At the time, I had only ever boomed while mixing documentaries & for ENG. Got a call to boom on a TV show for my first mentor in the biz. Yikes. Told him my experience level and he poo-poo'd it, and said not to worry, come on in. My heart was in my throat & feet at the same time. First scene was 7 people talking. Multiple cameras. The only place for me was the balcony, fully extended. I was sure he couldn't have been able to use much off my mic, but when it was all over he didn't say anything bad. We just kept on keepin' on. The scene sounded great because of all the radios, but I still thought I was gonna die. A few days later, bunches of people talking around a long line of tables, covered directly overhead with harsh pin lights. Oy! I'd been keeping my mouth shut on set except to ask the AC for (or peek at) the lens. Didn't need frame lines because I'd made it my business while doing ENG work to always know the lens, and I made up my mind to know that I knew where the frame was. Studying this pin-lighted scene I guess my face must have shown some consternation, because the DP came up from behind and whispered in my ear, "I always leave you a way in." Supremely generous of him. Studied a few more minutes and by golly, he had left me a way. The move was tricky, but there. The mixer had to drop a plant mic for one seated character, but... My best advice for a young boom operator is this: Keep your mouth shut Keep your eyes and ears open Stay focused Timing is everything Know your lines & lenses And now added, from Eric (smart): Play more pool To finish, I find that the less experienced folks are, the less time & energy they have to be generous and vice versa. That's why -- every time I'm able to be generous on set -- I'm thankful, and a little bit humbly proud. -- Jan

If you've got the tracks available, I suggest planting a mic away from set noise, and record an iso track of the ambient trains, street noise, etc. Have never heard from post as to whether they've used these ambient iso tracks, but my thinking is that when there is an offending noise, they can at least quickly use the iso in order to allow a more seamless cut with the real offense in the background. Use this a lot for outdoor NYC cafes, walk n' talks, locations near playgrounds, parks, or schools with transient kids / games. -- Jan

Whoa. Everyone who booms has been in this or similar situation. Sorry. You sure got in the line of fire. 1) Timing is everything. At the time you asked the DP for help, your DP had just gotten a major, public dis for his skilz. If he didn't know his camera was in the shot, he couldn't possibly tell you where to be. He took his embarrassment out on you, pure & simple. This is a great lesson to have learned. 2) I'm not a skilled boom op, but I've never, ever asked a DP for frame line or body position. Maybe you can work it out with your mixer, using hand signals. If not that, then deal with the operator or AC. That said, again: timing is everything. 3) In the situation you describe, with the camera in shot, I don't think it reflects on you (pardon the pun) or your team in the least. Look forward to reading boom op responses to this. Are there many on this forum? -- Jan

Got the Phase antenna years ago when in a pinch, began to experience unacceptable range issues. I wanted the cart to be in the garage of the house in which we worked. Phase inline, range improved and TX buried. Could have been the height of the antenna alone that improved the TX signal reach. Dunno. Don't care too much 'cause it solved my problem, though I am curious about the science. Now I too have a Phase-Right for sale, though I might just stick it on my car rig rack. Usually use the M-216's default 1/4-wave for car rig since the TX is so close to the people who need to hear, but maybe the Phase will reach a little bit into the follow van. On second thought, the SNA adapter that will be in the mail today will be attached to the main cart via quick-release and will easily transfer to the car rig intact. Yes! Who wants a well-used Phase-Right? Like your solution for the mounting, Bob. That's the kind of out-of-the-box thinking I respect Because I use podium mounts on the cart, it was easy to slip a gooseneck into the Phase and screw it on to the top shelf. The goosenecks eventually wear out, so I moved on to a heavy-duty, grip-strength gooseneck that bears little physical relationship to the musician-generated device, and had to use grip gear to stick it to the cart. Loving the mini-cardellini. By the way, Phillip, it finally hit me -- looking at the pix you posted -- that the 4 screws that hold the SNA to the mount may be removed and the orientation of the mount changed. A great lightbulb moment. Doh. Thanks especially for that. -- Jan

My issue with placing a mic at the shoulder strap (not a bad idea in a pinch) is losing 'em too much when they turn to the un-miced side. Suppose one could place a lav in each strap...but...naw. At least with a wifebeater, the mic's a wee bit lower than the neck, and gives a bit more spaciousness to the sound. I don't mind that nearly so much as with a neck-placed, regular tee-shirt. Ew. Have -- for scenes with tons of movement -- basted a B6 into the wifebeater's yoke. Works a charm. Thank goodness for our marvelous wardrobe colleagues. - Jan

That's the other, even smaller alternative. Similar price point. Seeing the image again has convinced me this is the way to go. Keepin' it simpler. Thanks for helping me make the decision (unless someone chimes in with a stellar review of the Mini-Mite in the next couple of hours). Cart's totally torn apart. Feels strange. -- Jan

Thanks, MT/Johnpaul, This was actually for a friend who uses the smaller discs just for the mix track and called me in a panic asking if I had some. I did. Now I don't and hope never to need to again. Will let him know your respective answers. He'll be pleased no doubt. Anybody want this PD-6/EX-12 I just this minute wrastled from the cart? Have 'em listed for $4K. Now $3K. Ohm. - Jan

Searched the forum & Google for reviews/discussion, w/no results, so... Going smaller in every way I can think of. The Comtek Mini-Mite gets me part of the way there. Currently using the Phase Right for the M-216's. User thoughts? In advance, thanks. -- Jan

Marc, the B6 in the tee-shirt collar for tight tee's as you describe is the only solution I've come up with too. There's got to be a better way...Grrr. I hate how this sounds in the field, but fact is, post was able to make it sound OK and I suppose that's the bottom line until I figure out an alternative. -- Jan

The story of this chapter of sound detective work should certainly make it into the final version of the test video, as a case-in-point to underline the importance of the capacity to monitor sound.

On the subject of acoustic 'radar', noticed upon wearing an Amish bonnet that it worked in much the same way, adding 6dB just by sporting the hat. Managed to buy one. It wasn't easy.

On my 788t-SSD I also have recorded to all 3 media all the time with one or two DVD-RAM write issues in all of 20+ weeks of shooting with lots of iso tracks armed. As Robert says, one may fairly easily delete the corrupted file on the DVD, and replace with media from the CF or SSD. Have lately wondered whether recording to two of the 3 would suffice, and perhaps eliminate that occasional DVD-RAM failure and have only begun to experiment, so have nothing to say on the matter. On another tangent: Based on a conversation with Larry Hoff -- wherein he noted that as the internal SSD became fuller, machine bootup & response time got laggy -- I concurred and started dumping daily folders to external hard drive & deleting them from the SSD on a regular basis. It helped. - Jan

All good information, my friends. Thank you. Decided to order one Star Case (for writing) and one Middle Atlantic SS, and add rear rack rails to the SKB's as necessary. Can't imagine trying to do this kind of thing before the advent of the internet... Between collegial input and shopping options, feel like I've a fighting chance to get it right the first or second time - Jan

Have my eye on a couple: http://www.server-rack-online.com/shpo1918.html http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/209345-REG/Middle_Atlantic_SSL.html The first is exceptionally robust, which appeals. Quite expensive. The Middle Atlantic shelf, much less so, but affordable. I want one to hold 788t and various small gear, another upon which I can write. This looked interesting, but I don't think the dimensions will actually fit an SKB case -- I think it's just a velcro-enabled insert, and not a 'shelf' at all: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=WishList.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=287880&is=REG What are you guys using? Thanks! - Jan

I hear you about the stairs and size relative to Magliner use, which is why I'm spending a LOT of time deciding what-in-the-heck to do now. Will start a new post on the subject - don't want to hijack this thread. - Jan