Harris K

For off cam fridges, I've taken to sticking white gaff over the door, preventing it from being opened, and writing in large print "I AM OFF! KEEP MY CLOSED" which I still frequently forget to return to, but at least someone else knows. Interestingly, producers seem to completely ignore this label 100% of the time, though it makes it magically Not-My-Problem. I think.

Thanks, didn't come up in the search.

Has anyone played with one of these things? Not that I'm eager to get more Zoom gear on set, but it is pretty feature heavy for the cost. If it sounds at all not terrible, it seems like a cute box.

Just noting, a couple years back I started using Xslimmer, and eventually ran on it something that just bricked the computer. I still have no clue what I did, but we careful what you use it on. Most apps were fine, then one day, kablamo.

Just saying, If and when the day comes that we can't get a clean signal anymore, will it really be the worst thing ever not to have the "But don't they have wireless mics on?" conversation again?

I chose to buy an uncabeled pole because of the frequent breakage I see in cabled poles, as well as noise issues. It just seemed easier and cheaper to go uncabled. Yeah, cable management is kind of a pain in the ass, but you learn to work with it and it isn't. The pony-holders work fine, though I like to stick a Bongo tie on top to prevent pulling. And as Jan mentioned, knowing where you were when you have to collapse the pole quick is pretty handy. That said, sooner or later I'm going to pick up one of the VBDs with the easily removable cables. I'm still not excited about periodically replacing a more expensive XLR, but I figure I might as well have options.

My favorite solution has been to use the Fostex FR-2 T (not the LE) for playback. The FR-2 is nice because it's super portable and has a built in speaker for cramped or rehearsal situations. It's been very convinient for tracking shots where nothing could live on the ground. It also let's you set locations throughout the song to scrub to at any point. It's not as fast as a DAW, but the versality works. I've used this for a number of vids and for a musical feature, which had a lot of quick, large set ups and broad camera moves. Set time code and print the track into the Fostex and you're done, it's clean and easy. I just hook that up to whatever speaker set I have, ideally a PA or self-powered speakers, though I've used a home stereo.

I've been getting the sense I'm not the only one in this position, but I figure it's time to bite the bullet and ask outright. Is anyone else having trouble getting kit rental fees since for the last year and change? I'm in NYC, non-union and on the smaller side of things. I've been having a very difficult time getting to acknowledge my kit and labor aren't intertwined. I end up settling a lot now for flat rates. I know every time I'm doing this, I'm screwing the next mixer down the line, which I don't want to do, but a guy's gotta eat. Sidenote, I have a theory that this is splashback of cameras getting so fad-y. Everytime a new camera comes out, the market gets flooded with owner/operators who all seem to quickly start undercutting each other. I've known Red owners doing around 100/day and operating. Anyway, is this a phenomena anyone else is seeing or am I doing something wrong?

So does this guy http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/cwg/1836804298.html

I do the same thing for my lav parts with a Days-of-the-Week Pill box. I found I can squeeze a whole lot of hushmics into one section without fucking up shape, which is convenient since i rip the damn things apart all the time.

In terms of SVEN, I've only used the 552 for two days, but a quick go through the cheat sheet and I had the thing set up and didn't need to check again. SVENs voice is annoying and fairly difficult to understand, but it's ultimately better than setting up a 302 or 442. Granted, the 552 has more settings requiring adjustment, but I can't see myself changing any of them too often. With a 302 or 442 you simply can't adjust settings without a cheat sheet or practice, which can be a real hassle. SVEN is a step in the right direction, but I'm in no hurry to buy "SVEN reads the works of Joyce"