the professional approach

Professional Approach

Yields Professional Results!

Proper Crew

Mixer Boom Utility Sound Tech

Production Mixer

Head of the sound crew Responsible for sound Political liaison with Production Company Finds the work Hires the Boom and Utility

Production Mixer

Specifies what equipment will be used Responsible for ordering equipment Responsible for prepping equipment Equipment MUST be prepped at least half a

working day prior to needed use time!

Boom Operator

Positions mic during shot Must be attentive and adaptive Knowledgeable about microphone

capabilities Understanding of lighting and shadow

placement Physically demanding job

Boom Operator

Must wear headphones in order to hear all of the working mics, so as to avoid phase problems.

Very difficult job on the set!!

Utility Sound Technician

More than just a cableperson Jack of All trades. Often 2nd Boom or 2nd

Mixer. Sound Playback Engineer.

Salaries

Mixer… $250 to $450, plus O.T. Boom… $150 to $350, plus O.T. Very often,

just a bit less than the Mixer’s salary. Utility… $100 to $350, plus O.T. Depends on

whether the Utility doubles as Boom or Playback Tech.

Daily Rate

Day is 8 hours straight time, excluding 30 min to 1 hr for lunch.

O.T. is time and a half up to 12 hours Golden or double time after 12 hours Union Day is 9 hours (8 straight plus one @

time and a half)

Daily Rate when non-union

Always negotiate up front with Producer Never quote a daily rate without defining

what is a day Example: a day could mean 8 hrs, 10 hrs, 12

hrs, or as long as it takes. Negotiate when flat rate stops and overtime

kicks in. No such thing as a “half day rate”

Meals

Meal Penalty if lunch is not called within 6 hours on the set, but not less than 4 hours on the set

Lunch period starts after last crewperson sits down with food to eat, not while standing in line.

2nd Meal is 4 to 6 hrs after 1st Meal, or else Meal Penalty.

2nd Meal is paid for by Producer.

Meals

On stage, crew eats at Commissary or on their own (one hour)

On location, producer provides the meal. On location, meal is catered. On location (small shoots), Producer takes

crew out for lunch and pays.

Proper Equipment Package

Packages are called “channels” Examples: stage channel, location channel,

video channel. Equipment is specified by the Mixer. Equipment is ordered by the Mixer. Equipment is prepped by the Mixer at least

one day (or half day) prior to the shoot, to allow ample time to correct any problems.

Proper Equipment Package

Always use only the best equipment that money can buy (or rent).

Having the right tools to do the job makes a world of difference.

Don’t skimp on the sound budget. Poor gear will cost you big time, later in Post.

Okay for Producer to pay for the package, but only the Mixer orders the equipment.

Proper Equipment Package

Don’t forget the tape stock! Bring enough NEW batteries. Additional equipment may include radio mics,

Fisher boom, assistive listening, sync playback.

Producer Be Wary

Equipment is usually 4 day week; no overtime

Mixer may offer to include equipment rental in with daily labor rate, at cheaper package price than if equip rental separate from labor.

However, Producer now is paying overtime on equip+labor, as well as extra for days 5, 6, 7. (normally, 4 x daily = one week’s rental)

Budgeting for Audio Media

400 ft of 16mm OR 1000 ft of 35mm is approx 11 minutes.

Sound rolls before camera, so 15 min sound is right for one camera magazine.

Always change sound when camera reloads.

Tape Stock

Nagra tape: one 5-inch reel is 15 minutes. One 7-inch reel is 30 minutes. Equates to one 5-inch reel per film magazine.

DAT tape is 60 min to 120 minutes Have to turn in tape every day for dailies. Probably one or two tapes per day.

Memory Cards

1 gig equates to 90 min @ 16bit/48k 2-trk 90 min equates to 6 full mags film Always rotate at least two cards One always ready in recorder and one being transferred into laptop

Storing Takes for Dailies

Always full format before recording session Xfer takes from mem card to laptop hard

drive via card reader Rename simple file names on computer to

match full Script names Burn CD or DVD for the dailies Keep backup copy of all files on laptop

Proper Attitude / Professionalism

Be aggressive for good sound Fight for close mic placement Use multiple mics to capture every line of

dialogue. Keep it all friendly!

Proper Technique

Don’t be lazy, but don’t over-complicate. Keep it Simple, Stupid! (K.I.S.S.) Avoid over reliance on lavaliers and radio

mics. Use the boom and plant mics as much as possible.

Act Professional

And you’ll be treated Professional.