Boom Operators Gear/Equipment

[Ze Frias]

Thank you Jose!

 

Currently I'm using a regular cotton gloves for booming in the cold, but my sound mixer still hear a handling noise (cold fingers in a cold boompole). He told me to buy gloves something like this, but I don't think the leather will help a lot.

 

No problem. I own the exact same gloves, but have never attempted to boom with them (I use them mainly for handling cables, as in my experiencing booming with gloves (specifically sliding down the pole) tends to produce noise that gets picked up by the mic. However, in the cold, you just can't help it. Let us know how you like them for booming if you end up getting them!

[studiomprd]

vas: " but I don't think the leather will help a lot. "

the leather may have better traction on the pole, so less slipping noise... maybe...

[saadasound]

Depending on the job, especially if I have a 3rd or not, this is what I'll bring along:

 

Without a 3rd, I'll use a Conterra Chest Pouch, which comes in handy when needing to carry a lot of wires, wiring accessories, etc. The radio holder is actually a great buttoning hook for headphones, when I use them. Inside will be:

 

Medical Scissors

Sharpie/Pen

Tweaker

Wiring accessories (stickies, moleskin, transpore, joes stick, etc)

Sides (if given them)

Flashlight, which has its own velcro pocket on the bottom of the pouch

 

I'm mostly using my Etymotic ER-4's with custom ear molds as my monitoring, but I'll throw the cans on if need be.

 

I always have a knife, for cutting and intimidation...

 

I have a homemade boom apple box

 

And of course, I always bring my trusty XL VDB straight cable boom pole, which I love so very much.

 

[Carlos Corral]

I actually use fingerless magic gloves as a boom op:

http://www.amazon.com/Pack-Magic-Fingerless-Glove-Black/dp/B00306GBVI/ref=sr_1_12?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1397749335&sr=1-12&keywords=magic+gloves

 

They let me slide the boom pole around like a pool cue if I need to make any quick movements on set. I usually use these gloves when I'm boom oping poles 9ft.-12ft.

 

Once I hit 16ft to 20ft. poles, I'll swap for some grip gloves.

[Ju Griz]

One of the mixers I work with told me golfing gloves are great for booming... I didn't try them because I don't like experimenting too much with gear on features and my hands are already rather silent.

Anyone else have any experience with these?

[VASI]

Hi,

Any recommendations for vests?

Thanks

[Dave Rainey]

anyone use a drybag backpack for bring all your booming essentials to work?  

been considering switching to something like that. 

[The Documentary Sound Guy]

Not sure if this is what you mean, but I'm a huge fan of Wandrd's waterproof camera bags:  https://www.wandrd.com/products/prvke?variant=39289416089680

I have all my essentials (mainly, wires & accessories) in this backpack, and I can hike with it when I'm out in the field.  I can even boom with it on the run if absolutely necessary, though it does restrict my shoulder movement a bit (as any backpack would).

Pricey, but one of the best investments I've made.