Richard Ragon Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 In general, are all sitcom style shoots, done using a Fisher Boom(s)? I've got a possible sitcom style shoot, and I wondering if I should be looking into a Fisher or cover with wireless and booms? Thanks -Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhyOne Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 If the sets are being built to accommodate a Fisher, use one, two, three........! Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurence Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 Sitcoms have changed over the years and some are done either hybrid or all single-camera with no audience at all but if you're talking about Old-style sitcoms, they are always done with Fisher booms. Maybe there will be an occasional plant or a fishpole just to grab a hard to reach line, but we have no radios at all. You don't even see radios on the stage for backup. It's all done with open mics and 99.9% done on Fishers. Usually 2 booms on the floor, or maybe 12 to 14 when up in the greenbeds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kksaudio Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 If you do end up using a Fisher boom (s) please make sure you use only boom operators who are experienced with operating them. Sorry, I had to say it, as I have had one guy tell me he was a "surgeon" on one. And it turned out that he hardly knew how to work with it and it almost went over when he tried to climb on to it from the wrong side. Luckily, I was there to keep it and him from falling over. I was raised on Fishers, and am able to help out newbees. Thankfully, many have taken Laurence's Fisher boom training classes, through Local 695. Some also train at the Fisher shop itself, in the Burbank area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurence Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 Now that you mention it, Kevin, one-on-one Fisher boom training on the Model 2 and Model 7 arms is still available through Local 695. (And as your chiropractor very well knows, it's not just for sitcoms.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Ragon Posted December 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 Thanks guys.. I have a producer asking about a sitcom, but after a few questions, I'm not so sure if he knows for sure what he's talking about.. It now sounds more like a hybrid of sorts. -Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Den Nic Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 Have heard about fisher booms and have googled them a bit, you guys have any links to manufactures pages or something like that? -Den Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Gilchrist Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 Have heard about fisher booms and have googled them a bit, you guys have any links to manufactures pages or something like that? -Den Right here. Didn't take much to find, just googled JL Fisher to be sure I had their website's URL correct. Best regards, Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orionflood Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 Hot Damn, those things are sweet. Thanks for posting Jim, and for asking Den. I thought those types of booms faded back in the forties, glad to see they are still alive and well. Does anyone know more history on their evolution...or the evolution of the boom in general? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Palmer Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 On our Christmas episode of Glee this year we re-created a variety show within our show. We built a large 3 wall set to accommodate 3 cameras and 2 fisher booms. Since we are a single camera (meaning 2 or 3 cameras) show, it was a "fish out of water" situation with me. I was able to put together a "hybrid" crew, meaning I added 2 fisher booms and operators. We had 2 Fisher Booms and 2 regular booms on the floor, plus playback and myself mixing. It was 2 of the most fun days I've had in a long, long time. Watching the crew work with the Fishers, and the expert operation of the booms, along with a Technocrane and 2 dollies on the floor was like watching a Cinegear ballet. The scenes were 10 minutes long and each had music within the scene. It was a great experience. Use Fishers if you can, and hire the right operators. You wont be disappointed. The Glee Christmas sound crew, in photo order... Patrick Martens (boom), Phillip Palmer (mixer), Anthony "Butch" Inglese (Fisher boom operator), Steve Schuneman (Fisher boom operator), Mitchell Gebhard (boom/utility), Devendra Cleary (playback operator). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted December 9, 2011 Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 " not so sure if he knows for sure what he's talking about.. " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Ragon Posted December 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 Yes Senator.. I asked him about a live audience, and he says no live audience.. So, my first guess was, no need for the Fishers then.. However, it's on large sound stage, 7-8 actors over a very large floor area, and he said the takes might be over 15 mins long.. Hence, maybe the Fishers are back.. Well see.. -Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Ragon Posted December 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 Phil, good gawd that's awesome phil. -Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurence Posted December 9, 2011 Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 The decision to use Fishers isn't based on whether there is or isn't an audience. It's more a matter of the style of shooting. Fishers love shows with 5- or 6-page scenes, large 3-wall sets and 4 cameras rolling at all times. Many multi-camera sitcoms that use Fishers never ever have an live audience but that is of no consequence. I think that once you get used to working with them, you'll want them whenever the situation allows it. Not that it should matter to you but they're also not very expensive, especially for long-term rental. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Den Nic Posted December 9, 2011 Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 Thanks Jim. And thanks Phil, that defiantly sounds like a really fun day! -Den Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Davies Amps CAS Posted December 9, 2011 Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 I bought my first Film Fisher in 1976 and sold it in a fit of pique in 1986. I was then fortunate enough to have one given to me a few years ago and I would not be without it. A few mixers here in the UK have grouped together to hire our booms out to non idiots. Malcolm Davies A.m.p.s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Ragon Posted December 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 Laurence.. Hence the reason I said, Large Studio Floor combined with Very long takes, put the Fishers back on the table again.. Perhaps you didn't read my post right? Thanks -Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurence Posted December 9, 2011 Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 Laurence.. Hence the reason I said, Large Studio Floor combined with Very long takes, put the Fishers back on the table again.. Perhaps you didn't read my post right? Thanks -Richard Yes, I did read it. Just wanted to reiterate those points while proposing that the absence of an audience was not really a factor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted December 9, 2011 Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 " no need for the Fishers then. " When I read that, I copied the quote to make pretty much the same reply as Laurence! We sometimes used to use a Fisher on Star Trek: TNG ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikewest Posted December 11, 2011 Report Share Posted December 11, 2011 I operated Fisher and Mole booms on live and recorded show in the mid 60's Imagine a long arm Fisher with an MKH805 (816) on it on a singer - Ive done that!!!!!!!!!!!! Listened to program sound/director,vision mixer/sound director and followed a script too! Wonderful experience that few would enjoy these days. mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berniebeaudry Posted December 11, 2011 Report Share Posted December 11, 2011 I operated Fisher and Mole booms on live and recorded show in the mid 60's Imagine a long arm Fisher with an MKH805 (816) on it on a singer - Ive done that!!!!!!!!!!!! Listened to program sound/director,vision mixer/sound director and followed a script too! Wonderful experience that few would enjoy these days. mike I was charged with purchasing a boom (Mole Richardson) for a training company I worked for in the late 80's. We had a full studio and and post production facility at the time. Also did location work as well. We were able to get some amazing coverage with that thing! It helped that the DP knew how to light for it so were weren't having shadow problems. He always kept a spot open for the rig. Started out with an 816 on it, and later replaced it with a Neuman KMR 82. The only bummer was our ceiling was somewhat low for having a lighting grid and it got really warm up on the platform. I would love to try out a Fisher some day. Bernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikewest Posted December 12, 2011 Report Share Posted December 12, 2011 Hi Bernie, Moles were a bit clunky and ok for smaller sets I managed to overturn a Mole in a studio caused by a flat tyre!!!!!! Was my face red!! Fishers were always a joy to use, a seat, hydraulic platform and dolly could crab. The small location Fishers were lovely too. I purchased on on behalf of the company I first worked for here in NZ. Cost brand new in 1976 was $1,500.00 (two years wages then for me) Now they go for $15,000.00 about 1 month of average turnover for me now! mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikewest Posted December 12, 2011 Report Share Posted December 12, 2011 Me operating a Mole circa 1968 An AKG D25 in a round windshield with a rain hat on it!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berniebeaudry Posted December 12, 2011 Report Share Posted December 12, 2011 Hi Bernie, Moles were a bit clunky and ok for smaller sets I managed to overturn a Mole in a studio caused by a flat tyre!!!!!! Was my face red!! Fishers were always a joy to use, a seat, hydraulic platform and dolly could crab. The small location Fishers were lovely too. I purchased on on behalf of the company I first worked for here in NZ. Cost brand new in 1976 was $1,500.00 (two years wages then for me) Now they go for $15,000.00 about 1 month of average turnover for me now! mike The Mole was clunky. but that's all I could find used around here in Minnesota. Paid $5000 for it, and I think it listed for $15,000 new if I'm remembering right. Seems like a lot compared to the Fisher you bought. I could see how a flat tire would be a disaster with one of those. I remember not being able to crank it in and out while taping because it rumbled if I cranked too fast. Got pretty good at finding a place where I could just swing it for the coverage and not have to do that. Would love to try out a Fisher sometime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted December 12, 2011 Report Share Posted December 12, 2011 " a long arm Fisher with an MKH805 (816) on it on a singer " That is how it was done. Johnny Carson did his monologue under a Schoeps on a Fisher, and at the couch, the guests were covered by that rig. Fisher still makes, maintains, and rents a significant inventory of their sound booms, and every one of them is always completely up to spec and "as brand new". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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