Den Nic Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 Hey Guys, I remember when I was in school and a couple of times afterwards I heard that us sound guys where black so if we got caught in reflection's we'd be safer. Most sound guys I see are wearing black or some dark shade. I usually wear darker shaded, especially black. But in today's age of cameras, how valid is it to try to 'hide from reflections' by wearing black when booming? I mean you still have your arms and face to hide, and today's 4K cameras can pick up anything. (Makes me think of a post before when boomers used to cast a shadow on another shadow and film couldn't pick it up, but technology progressed and that went out the window). Then you have white logos on sound guys T-Shirts. Is wearing black just an old adage that just stuck? One could even argue that wearing a neutrally shaded colour would allow you to be scene on the small screen ON the day, versus seen when they watch it on the big screen and see you moving. Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Toline Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 While some may wear black as a fashion statement just about everyone wears any color they want on sets I've been on. No one seems to care. P.S. black is too hot to wear in S. Florida. Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old school Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 I've seen many a boom op and focus puller wear a duvateen serape to work on a set w a lot of reflection issues. An LA commercial director of renown insists his crews wear black. It is still considered a good practice. That said, I never did as a boom op. I wore a lot of color in my youth. These days it doesn't matter because I'm in the back row. The 4K and beyond resolutions of HD cameras is a good question to ponder. I'm guessing that lights, camera, people, will be as much an issue as the boom op. CrewC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MatthewFreedAudio Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 I wear a suit made of bright, reflective sequins. I figure if the rest of the crew isn't going to shut up during takes then I'm not going to worry about hiding from the camera. www.matthewfreed.com Production Sound Mixing for TV, Films, and Commercials Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afewmoreyears Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 Black makes me itchy for some reason, I hate wearing it.... If its above 60 degrees or in ANY sun, forget it... I LOATH wearing it.. feels uncomfortable to me. Like Crew, I dont care too much for being right around the camera, for me the farther the better from the crew... I try to simply be comfortable for the location. I will leave the uniforms to the conformists....of which I am not... For boom ops or the around camera folks I understand.. That does make sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Ford Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 I often wear dark clothes to hide myself as a boom but that's not too far from what i wear usually....it's not too often that my pale arms stick in the reflection that I'm blamed for...and then usually they say "you're ok if you don't move" and I say " that's great...as long as the actors don't either!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan H. Chang Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 Orange/Yellow to tell the rest of the crew to stay the f* out of my way! haha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Toline Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 Orange/Yellow to tell the rest of the crew to stay the f* out of my way! haha. While Orange/Yellow does the job I find that carrying one of these does a much better job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wyatt Tuzo Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 ooooooooohhh... barracuda? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan H. Chang Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 haha. Good one Eric! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Mega Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 Wear one of these... http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/368322-REG/Garfield_SGARROBE1_Photo_Black_Robe.html A couple of months ago, we were at a location with a huge glass wall along one side of the room and the view behind was the background for the two judges on a cooking competition show. The trees outside were lit since it was a night shoot. Previoulsy at the production meeting for this day, they were concerned about reflections, not from the sound dept since it was all radio mics, but from the camera ops etc. I suggested the Garfield anti reflection robes for all the cam crew. They all thought I was joking which I kinda was but deep down, I would've loved to see the whole camera dept wearing these robes and looking very hilarious all night long!!!!! Would've been a great photo!!! Its a usefull product from Garfield for certain situations though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RadoStefanov Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 Here in the desert in the summer I wear anything but black. White or gray does the job... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Den Nic Posted March 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 Funny, I thought it was more wide spread. Also, that robe is hilarious. If I was to wear one I would definitely whip out my Red Lightsaber, Sith Sound lol. I don't really care about wearing black, because I really believe it won't help you at that much at all, but if a mixer wants me to wear black, it's his department and it's his call. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olle Sjostrom Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 Isn't it better to avoid the reflections than being black within them? (null) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Toline Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 ooooooooohhh... barracuda? No, King fish actually. Part of the herring family and great eating. That one is about 9lbs. Here's a Barracuda Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevegrider Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 Occaisionaly I will receive a call sheet that requests all crew members wear "show blacks". It is usually when the shoot is in a location where we can be amongst the general public. It is an easy way to quickly identify members of the crew vs "civilians". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Q Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 I try to keep a couple different shirts with my gear as it is easier to change shirts than to try and black out (or white out) with duvetyne. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurence Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 Definitely smart to wear dark colors. Besides minimizing bounce light and reflections, there is the perception that you're aware that you might contribute to bounce light and reflections. Best to keep a low profile and show that you understand the process, rather than invite that one instance where it matters or where some dope thinks it matters even if it doesn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Toline Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 Matthew, that's the laugh of the day for me, do you also wear a headlight so you can see where you're going on dimly lit sets? Cheers, RVD With a suit like this, no headlight needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPSharman Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 I'd be concerned if my boom op showed up in bright colors. Beyond what Laurence mentioned about possibly bouncing light onto the set (as slight as it might be, you don't usually find operators and ACs wearing bright colors), there's an issue of being distracting to talent if you have to move during a take. Black may not be necessary, but it's nice to be neutral. My boom ops typically dress neutrally, but keep a black jacket or sweatshirt on the cart just in case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 If one is wearinbg "show black", there are no logos or other distractions, the entire outfit is solid flat black, and the shirt is long sleeves... This is now primarily a stage (theater) thing, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Osborn Posted March 11, 2012 Report Share Posted March 11, 2012 There's another color besides black? Being a Harley rider most of my wardrobe is black anyway. Just a matter of practicality because it hides grease and road grime better. I've only been asked once to wear all black for a production years ago. The only color I won't be wearing following our last shoot is green. We shot a documentary in a medium security prison and the producer wore a green shirt. On the way out, the guard at Master Control asked the producer if he felt he was being watched. The producer didn't know how to respond. The guard went on to explain that the inmates wear green jumpsuits and the guards posted on the four towers had the producer in their "sights" all day long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Feeley Posted March 12, 2012 Report Share Posted March 12, 2012 I wear a suit made of bright, reflective sequins. I figure if the rest of the crew isn't going to shut up during takes then I'm not going to worry about hiding from the camera. Ha! Looks like that's working out pretty well for you. Too bad they got the name wrong on your customized harness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Berzins Posted March 12, 2012 Report Share Posted March 12, 2012 If one is wearinbg "show black", there are no logos or other distractions, the entire outfit is solid flat black, and the shirt is long sleeves... This is now primarily a stage (theater) thing, Apparently I'm always 'in uniform'. Due to my being part asian I've got black hair and am fairly pale, so I've never felt that I look good in color. I also have no interest in being a walking billboard, so I'm pretty much always in a plain black shirt of one sort or other. The only variety to my 'uniform' is in the pants department: black, tan or gray. I like being boring and visually unobtrusive. It's just a happy coincidence that this color scheme works well on set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheAudioSynthesist Posted March 12, 2012 Report Share Posted March 12, 2012 I wear a suit made of bright, reflective sequins. I figure if the rest of the crew isn't going to shut up during takes then I'm not going to worry about hiding from the camera. www.matthewfreed.com Production Sound Mixing for TV, Films, and Commercials lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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