Erob Posted October 10, 2018 Report Share Posted October 10, 2018 Been doing some research and was wondering what people use when being a boom op (or give to their boom ops). Been talking with mine recently and we are trying to figure out how to make his kit better and more useful. Right now he just has a little pouch that we put some spare batteries and moleskin in so he can quickly fix loose lavs or replace a battery. Any input here would be much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattias Larsen Posted October 10, 2018 Report Share Posted October 10, 2018 I can only talk from my own experience. Some things that makes my life easier is some 3/4 gloves that I can make full length when needed. I like carrying some precut moleskin/kineseotape, double sided tape, stickies, a scissor, velcro. Oh and I like a wireless feed even when using a cabled boom as it makes the setuptime a bit quicker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Perkins Posted October 10, 2018 Report Share Posted October 10, 2018 If the boom op is doing the wiring of talent then they should have a lav-bullet and the Remote lav-rod dingus with the correct connector for the lav mics in use, a few sorts of tape and maybe a spare vampire if you are using those. A flashlight, an AC tester and some spare TX and Comtek batteries (supplied by me) should be close by, esp if the cart (and me) are at some distance from the action; the farther away the more gak they need with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalton Patterson Posted October 11, 2018 Report Share Posted October 11, 2018 Small pen flashlight, AA,AAA, transpore, moleskin, fresh sharp razor, small sharp scissors, spare TX, spare LAV, small pen form multi screwdriver, 7506’s, sunscreen, lip balm, sun hat, fingerless or two finger gloves, LAV bullet/rod, sharpie, pen, all carried in a hip pouch. extra credit- spare comtek/IFB label maker spare TX ankle wrap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Waelder Posted October 11, 2018 Report Share Posted October 11, 2018 All good suggestions. I never go on a set without a Swiss Army knife. I prefer the "Rambler" model. It's very small, about the size of the "Classic," small enough to go on a keyring. The Rambler adds a bottle opener and a phillips screwdriver to the blades in the Classic. When assisting a mixer, I would also carry a Leatherman or Gerber folding tool that incorporates portable pliers and wire cutting capability. A boom operator should also have a black T-shirt or pullover available so as to avoid reflections or a distraction for the performer. Breath mints are also a good addition to the kit. Earplugs can be useful if the shoot has gunfire. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olle Sjostrom Posted October 11, 2018 Report Share Posted October 11, 2018 When I worked as a boom op I had a Zuca bag filled with stuff I could use. It also served as a stand for the boom so I could put it away at times. I wanted to be able to quickly mount extra mics, if needed, and different amounts of tape. Batteries, straps, lavs etc. i also had a fanny pack or waist pack with small stuff. Mostly tape and a leatherman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanpeds Posted October 11, 2018 Report Share Posted October 11, 2018 Check out Allan Williams video on YouTube about what he has in his boom kit. It’s a great video. Your kit changes based on what you are working on but there should always be some basics. Here’s some of the stuff I have in my kit: Headphones of choice (I use custom IEMS and also carry a spare set) Boompoles Goggles Facemask Hats for sun and cold weather rain gear, boots cold weather gear if applicable spare set of clothes microphone mounts that I prefer for all types of microphones headlamp i wear contacts so I have a spare set and glasses Custom boombox the kit that I wear on my person I have: small scissors flashlight gerber multi tool pen/sharpie clips misc lav expendables lav bullet small screwdriver set spare batteries i know I’m missing stuff but this should be a pretty good starting point Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ilari Sivil Posted October 11, 2018 Report Share Posted October 11, 2018 I think it's a good idea to have whatever you have on your person as something you can put on or take off easily. It really helps with changing clothes and taking breaks. It's also useful if you have to plant your main boom mic. I like to use a belt with pouches, I'll change the loadout depending on the demands of the show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VASI Posted October 11, 2018 Report Share Posted October 11, 2018 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate C Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 9 hours ago, VAS said: Thanks for sharing Vas. I may of nerded out watching this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebarber Posted August 18, 2019 Report Share Posted August 18, 2019 that video is fascinating but obviously not something a new comer like me could or should try to match so early on. i’m really curious to know what a boom op is expected to bring to set as part of their kit. i don’t want to make any assumptions (besides their own boom pole) so thought i should ask: what should an aspiring boom op’s shopping list look like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Perkins Posted August 19, 2019 Report Share Posted August 19, 2019 7 hours ago, mikebarber said: that video is fascinating but obviously not something a new comer like me could or should try to match so early on. i’m really curious to know what a boom op is expected to bring to set as part of their kit. i don’t want to make any assumptions (besides their own boom pole) so thought i should ask: what should an aspiring boom op’s shopping list look like? Usually booms don't bring their own pole. My boom ops use my poles, generally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismedr Posted August 19, 2019 Report Share Posted August 19, 2019 maybe head phones? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Westgate Posted August 19, 2019 Report Share Posted August 19, 2019 Yeah but some own booms some do not Maybe some don't need all the clutter and bring or ask what they need Eh? mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonG Posted August 20, 2019 Report Share Posted August 20, 2019 I personally don’t require a boom op to bring anything but their own headphones. I supply the rest. That said, everyone has a different way of doing things, and I will never stand in the way of someone using their own techniques and supplies if that’s what they are comfortable using. I provide a variety of expendables and lav mounts, lav bullet, boom poles, tapes and stickies and etc. But there are all kinds of things available these days, so I’d say that if you were looking to put together a little kit, get yourself some moleskin, molefoam, some kind of furry overcover set, transpore, topstick, maybe some Joe’s sticky stuff, preferred lav mounts, a headlamp, lav bullet, and probably a boom box or chair with the ability to mount the boom to. K-Tek makes a little fanny pack that looks like a decent pouch to keep things in. I ordered some stuff from a Sound Hard and they sent me a complimentary fanny pack that is sort of the same thing, so i keep that stocked for my boom ops. But if you think you’ll need gloves, a bandana or sweat rag, multi tool, or any other such thing, it’s better to be prepared and not need it than to be empty handed when you do need something. I recently worked in a dusty warehouse where there was years of pigeon poo all over the place, so I bought anti bacterial medical masks for the whole crew. Now I have those in my kit too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebarber Posted August 20, 2019 Report Share Posted August 20, 2019 11 hours ago, JonG said: But if you think you’ll need gloves, a bandana or sweat rag, multi tool, or any other such thing, it’s better to be prepared and not need it than to be empty handed when you do need something. thanks for this, it's a big help! i agree, my credo is usually "better to have and not need than to need and not have." 11 hours ago, JonG said: I recently worked in a dusty warehouse where there was years of pigeon poo all over the place, so I bought anti bacterial medical masks for the whole crew. Now I have those in my kit too. yikes! now that's not something i would have thought to anticipate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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