Figure 14-21.—Hand microphone.
As a television boom operator, your primary
responsibility is to keep the microphone as close to the
sound source as possible without getting the
microphone or its shadow in the picture. This requires
coordination and anticipation. You must keep the
microphone in front of the sound source, listen to the
director’s signals, watch camera movements, be aware
of what lenses are in use, avoid undesirable boom
shadows and anticipate the talent’s movement — all at
the same time.
Hand
The hand microphone (fig. 14-21) is used for many
television productions, especially ENG shoots. A hand
microphone is seen on camera, and therefore, it can be
held very close to the sound source. It is especially
useful amidst noisy surroundings, such as the flight line
or the machine shop aboard ship. In such cases, good
audio pickup is still achieved by holding a unidirectional
microphone very close to whomever is speaking. A hand
microphone is valuable in audience participation
programs, such as Navy Relief and Combined Federal
Campaign telethons.
Figure 14-22.—Lavaliere microphone.
Lavaliere
During reporter standups, newscasts, interviews
and similar production applications, the lavaliere
microphone (fig. 14-22) is more appropriate than the use
of a hand microphone. Lavaliere microphones are small
and unobtrusive. They are normally taped or clipped to
an article of clothing on the talent’s chest and are ideal
when microphone concealment, individual mobility or
the free use of hands is required.
Although concealment is an attractive option of the
lavaliere microphone, you should not place it entirely
under clothing. Clothing acts as a falter and any sound
that penetrates the “filter” will be muffled when
reproduced. Clothing rubbing against the microphone
also can create crackling noises.
Some lavaliere microphones are termed dual
redundancy, because there are actually two lavalieres
hooked to the same clip (fig. 14-23). Only one
microphone is live, but the other serves as a backup in
case the primary microphone fails. For this reason, you
14-22
