Alexander Burstein Posted March 9, 2013 Report Share Posted March 9, 2013 Saw a picture in another thread and it spurred a question. Is resting a boom pole on your headphones accepted and practiced by professional mixers and boom operators? When I started out and saw my first boom operator do this, I was a bit worried that it looked unprofessional. I've seen it since and while it bugs me a bit I haven't said anything. I've tried it out of curiosity but found that it really hurts my head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Kittappa Posted March 9, 2013 Report Share Posted March 9, 2013 Different strokes for different folks- I personally can't do it it's uncomfortable and I cant keep the pole from rolling off my head, but if it works for you then great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cloud Wang Posted March 9, 2013 Report Share Posted March 9, 2013 very uncomfortable T_T i can't do it... for resting purpose short time i just rest it on my shoulder. For long time , you know..... pull it back during the filming i just always hold it in the air and don't lean it to anything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexander Burstein Posted March 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2013 I agree Cloud Wang. I also worry about slight head turns. I don't know how one would stay on axis with the microphone if the pole were on your head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisH Posted March 9, 2013 Report Share Posted March 9, 2013 I agree alexander, while shooting it is always free and in the air. For a quick stop its the shoulder or just relaxed arms, for a reset Ill put it vertical resting on my foot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john Quinn Posted March 9, 2013 Report Share Posted March 9, 2013 Head, shoulder, fence, lighting stand what ever works we are not machines and sometimes you need to adjusted your mixer. I used to just use the force but my Jedi days are over young Cloud Wang and now I let my brain take the strain Best John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirror Posted March 9, 2013 Report Share Posted March 9, 2013 You can break the rules only when you have mastered the rules. Only the pros can boom that way, others will fail and bring shame to their house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevegrider Posted March 9, 2013 Report Share Posted March 9, 2013 It is something I only see on film school sets. I know an 816 at the end of an aluminum pole can get heavy quick, but resting it on your head will limit your ability to aim the mic with precision. None of the boom operators I work with do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VASI Posted March 9, 2013 Report Share Posted March 9, 2013 Nope. I'm not rest the boompole in my head. I rest the boompole to my foot when the time between take to take it's not fast (like from Dean Miles) and sometimes on my shoulders when between take and take are fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason porter Posted March 9, 2013 Report Share Posted March 9, 2013 For impromptu longish interviews, definitely. Not during dramatic work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Li Posted March 9, 2013 Report Share Posted March 9, 2013 Resting the boom pole on the head during or between takes. Between takes, then bravo for dexterity, during takes, I would say, errr... Mind what you're doing there sonny, you need to aim that mic properly and i can hear that friction from the top of your head. Between takes I rest the boom pole on my shoulder mostly, I like the fact that it's rapid action to get it back up again. If someone is struggling with holding it over extended periods of time, time to work on some technique and endurance. I used to do boom excercises with weights at the end of my old aluminium boom pole at extension for jollies no joke Obviously for 20 minutes sit down interviews a stand is fine EDIT: I have been in situations on some doco shoots where they have continuously rolled for 30+ minutes at a time, at that point you just kinda have good technique, grin and bear it, and continuously mouth to the AD "when are we going to cut?!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted March 9, 2013 Report Share Posted March 9, 2013 " Is resting a boom pole on your headphones accepted and practiced by professional mixers and boom operators? " not really, but whatever floats your boat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toy Robot Posted March 9, 2013 Report Share Posted March 9, 2013 I never rest it on my head even for breaks, and I wouldn't consider it when shooting under any circumstance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john Quinn Posted March 9, 2013 Report Share Posted March 9, 2013 OK if you are booming on a TV drama or a feature film resting the boom on your head does not really cut the mustard and the chances are that the scene/take will only last a few minutes at most ,so really two hands all the way. But if you are running around with a bag strapped to your back stuffed full of radio mics while holding a boom in the air for many hours of the day then resting the pole on your head shoulder or passing heffalump are all legitimate ways of recording good sound.Working smart is as important as working hard. Best John Can you tell from the above that I come from Scottish Presbyterian Stock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old school Posted March 9, 2013 Report Share Posted March 9, 2013 You can break the rules only when you have mastered the rules. That's the truth but if it works for for you on a shot then it's of course the right thing to do. Just don't let anyone take a picture of you. CrewC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Perkins Posted March 9, 2013 Report Share Posted March 9, 2013 I do it all the time and have done so for about 35 years. When the pole is extended and I need to adjust levels etc in a bag rig and the talent is standing still I hold the end of the boom with one hand, set it on top of the headband of my headphones and do a quick knob-twiddle with the other hand. I don't care how it looks, I care about how it sounds. I wish I had 3 arms, but can't afford the transplant. philp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted March 9, 2013 Report Share Posted March 9, 2013 " I wouldn't consider it when shooting under any circumstance. " OK, but why not ? " I don't care how it looks, I care about how it sounds. " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toy Robot Posted March 9, 2013 Report Share Posted March 9, 2013 " I wouldn't consider it when shooting under any circumstance. " OK, but why not ? Because I don't like it. It's a personal choice and I don't think it's comfortable or safe when holding a boom above or near talent (considering it could potentially fall off of your earphones), which is my opinion. I did not say 'No one should ever do this under any circumstance' did I? I didn't even advise anyone one way or the other. I simply stated that 'I' wouldn't. It is my preference to be in constant control of the boom pole with both hands. Besides, I am of the mindset that it shouldn't ever come to be expected by productions. I will either record ISOs and boom very well, and you can mix in post, or I will mix very well and not boom (or collect ambience), and you can use my mix in post. I will not boom and mix at the same time by resting my boom pole on my head and attempting to move about and do my job that way. It's the same type of logic applied to not asking a DP to shoot a movie and also pull focus. If you asked that of them, they'd probably say it was an unrealistic expectation. P.S. Don't assume I don't adjust faders throughout the day regularly, I simply don't do it by resting the boom on my head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted March 9, 2013 Report Share Posted March 9, 2013 " Because I don't like it. " OK.. ---as long as you have a reason! " or safe when holding a boom above or near talent (considering it could potentially fall off of your earphones), " actually a valid point, but that isn't all circumstances.. " I will not boom and mix at the same time " another valid point, if that is part of the equation... " It's the same type of logic applied to not asking a DP to shoot a movie and also pull focus. If you asked that of them, they'd probably say it was an unrealistic expectation. " winner! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MT Groove Posted March 9, 2013 Report Share Posted March 9, 2013 I wish I had 3 arms, but can't afford the transplant. philp I think all bag mixers could benefit from a 3rd arm. Sammy Huen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soundwil Posted March 9, 2013 Report Share Posted March 9, 2013 I do it all the time and have done so for about 35 years. When the pole is extended and I need to adjust levels etc in a bag rig and the talent is standing still I hold the end of the boom with one hand, set it on top of the headband of my headphones and do a quick knob-twiddle with the other hand. I don't care how it looks, I care about how it sounds. I wish I had 3 arms, but can't afford the transplant. philp Yes, this is what I do. Doing doco, ENG when the takes(!) can be long I need to to adjust levels. I've found doing it more than this hurts my head and neck vertibra. I would not do it during a normal take in a drama though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPSharman Posted March 9, 2013 Report Share Posted March 9, 2013 I tried it a few times as a boom op, during a reset or between takes, but it hurt my head. I see my boom op do it sometimes, although not while booming a scene. I've seen others do it too, and in pictures. I just think it looks a bit lazy. But not so when carrying a bag. In that case it seems necessary in order to adjust levels from time to time. But honestly, it's the same as booming with earbuds, or a single-ear, or other perceived "less professional" practices. Once you have established yourself as a professional, how you get good sound is no longer relevant. If my boom op puts the mic in the right place, who am I to dictate how he looks doing it? Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Perkins Posted March 9, 2013 Report Share Posted March 9, 2013 On docs I do the one ear thing a lot, sometimes mixing up the ear that has the headphone. An example of the efficacy of this was a recent shoot in a silkscreen print shop. The people working there weren't thrilled we were there anyhow, and the space was cramped with a lot of people moving around us. It's good to be able to easily hear someone considerate enough to whisper to you that he needs to get by you, rather than just shoving you or asking loudly to be let by--thus the one-ear thing. philp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Wielage Posted March 10, 2013 Report Share Posted March 10, 2013 I tried it a few times as a boom op, during a reset or between takes, but it hurt my head. Dave Fisk from K-Tek should come up with the new, improved "Head Boom Mount": a cap with a strap and a vice-grip on it, to clamp the boom to the cap and then strap the cap securely to your head! Somehow, visions of Al Franken as the one-man-band news crew from Saturday Night Live come to mind... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikewest Posted March 10, 2013 Report Share Posted March 10, 2013 If its a one man job and the take is long as with documentary work you may need to use your head if it's a long take and subjects are static mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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