Mic Tricks for the Boom Operator

Videomaker

Using a boom pole makes this even easier. But you have to work with the camera crew more because you have to make sure they know what you are doing so you don’t mess
anything up.

“Typically, the boom operator brings the microphone in, just overhead and barely out of the frame of the camera. This is something of a dance that must be choreographed with the camera operator. The microphone points down—usually at an angle—toward the mouth of the talent. This provides a clean, natural sound that mimics every movie you’ve ever seen. The boom operator monitors the sound on headphones and makes small adjustments throughout the shoot, tweaking the sound for the best quality. If the scene is shared by multiple characters, the boom operator gently twists and turns the microphone as needed to capture all the dialog. All this while holding a long pole over his or her head. This job is a workout and completely underappreciated.”