Boom Operators and Sound Utility Technicians

In this Mantis Discussion we talk to Noel Espinosa about Boom Operators and Sound Utilities. Both of these positions are pivotal to the Production Sound Department. Noel has done both positions for many years and really has a grasp for what the job entails. It is all about being proactive, and doing your best to stay in the moment of each scene to know what is going on at all times. Here are a few key points from this discussion.

Attacking the Scene

The blocking rehearsals are pivotal to a Production Sound Team. The Boom Operator and Sound Utility should be present so they can talk logistics. These blocking rehearsals will tell you how many actors are present and will also show you their actions. After the blocking rehearsal, make sure to huddle up with your sound mixer to discuss everything that needs to go down to record the scene. Listen to everything, your tasks as well as the boom operators to you know the whole process.

Boom Operator Skills

A Sound Utility Technician needs to have adequate boom operating skills. They will be picking up a pole daily to help capture audio in spots where a wire simply isn’t needed. Because of this, you will need to keep an eye on the set while you are performing your other tasks in order to know where to position yourself to capture your requirements for the scene.

This was a LIVE DISCUSSION that was recorded on June 26th, 2018 @ 2:00PM Pacific Time on Facebook. We archive them here for everyone for free. Be sure to check out the others.

Video Mantis Discussions are a weekly talk show hosted buy Thomas Popp with guests of all calibers. Join in to discuss production sound topics and how the professionals handle themselves on their own gigs.