Pro Boom Op Reacts to Rode's Boom Positions Video

There are many videos on the topic of how to hold a boom pole and while they mostly teach traditional techniques, in modern filmmaking, those techniques may end your career early or cause injury. In this video I watch and react to Rode Microphone's Boom Pole Positions video presented with Ric Viers.
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[@jorge.rubiales]

I started booming around the time this rode video was published, and I put in practice a lot of the things suggested. Needless to say, It didn't sound great and mybody was killing me. Lucky me, I found your channel, Ken Strain interviews, and other great boom operator's info on youtube and jwsound, so thank you very much!

[@SoundSpeeds]

Sure thing! Thanks for watching.

[@Podcastage]

Wow. I learned a lot in this video. Really informative breakdown of the original video.

[@SoundSpeeds]

I would hope so considering my video was 10X longer.

[@Sc0rphionx]

@@SoundSpeeds Damn son, get down of your high horse, a simple thanks would be ok, not a demand of "recognize my hard work"

[@SoundSpeeds]

What do you mean by that?

[@anneboyer6359]

@@SoundSpeeds You're really arrogant. You don't understand English? I think what he said was easy for any native speaker to get. You do sound like you're full of yourself. Let me explain what he said. He said "Damn son, get down of your high horse". As in, stop being so full of yourself, your ego, take it down. Hope it is clearer now and more understandable to you after my simpler explanation.

[@ivan.flrs2]

also please release the video on how to boom properly! can't wait for that one!!

[@SoundSpeeds]

Will do sir.

[@mercermacwilliamhughes9717]

Seconded, we really need a trusted boom technique guide!

[@SoundSpeeds]

Copy you

[@StiffmanOz]

Rick Viers is fairly well known in the sound effects industry, and has written a couple of books on location sound recording, and recording sound effects, so i suspect he knows what he's doing behind a recorder, but probably hasn't spent a whole lot of time actually swinging a boom for films. I'd love to see some of these videos on boom Oping done by actual boom ops such as yourself!

[@SoundSpeeds]

They are in prep. 😎

[@justingarnell8355]

By hindsight on Rick’s video, for sure he likely hasn’t had any time behind the boom pole for years & at an extended period of time. Sounds like a salesman

[@TimothySeale]

As someone who has an old neck injury, that crucifix idea looks like OUCH.

[@SoundSpeeds]

It is. Very bad thing to teach the younger generation in this era of incredibly long takes.

[@cyberdefenseddi]

Definitely an art using a boom arm. It’s just as important as keeping your camera in focus. Good stuff 😎

[@SoundSpeeds]

Yes sir. :-)

[@jaselim4552]

Great information, entertaining video! Loving it as always 😊

[@SoundSpeeds]

Thank you Jase. :-)

[@michelgregoire7051]

Great video, thanks! I'm starting out as a boom-operator and there is indeed not a lot of good information on how to use a boom-pole. So Please make that video, the world needs it 😆 I'm a 42 year old dude so I'm especially interested on how to avoid putting stress on your body. But there sure is a lot more to it and I'm eager to learn !

[@SoundSpeeds]

Sure thing. Thank you for watching.

[@RedSpark_]

Fantastic video! I would 100% watch any video you made on boom pole technique.

[@SoundSpeeds]

👍

[@jann.s3442]

I really need the "how to hold a boom" Video

[@SoundSpeeds]

Working on it.

[@cannon-kid-design6248]

Hey Allen, good stuff as usual. I especially found the glove bit interesting. I also use mechanics gloves of the finger-less variety. Gotta have em because I notice more sweat and gunk getting into the pole and affecting the functionality. And I got my ring tattooed haha. I'm not an expert but am pursuing a career in production audio at the Savannah College of Art and Design in GA and I love the content. Not too many talk about those little details with precision like you do. Hey, if you would like a dummy to do the lifting in your boom pole tutorial while you instruct I'd be all ears! Keep 'em coming!

[@SoundSpeeds]

I will need on screen talent. Reach out to me if you're in the Atlanta area or willing to travel in for some weekend. Email in the description.

[@marcweintraub]

Yes yes yes, please make a video!

[@SoundSpeeds]

In prep now.

[@EdgerRel]

Love the video. I would love to see a boom master class by you.

[@SoundSpeeds]

It's in prep.

[@somewhatboxes]

i think you apologized just in passing, but please don't sweat this worry about coming off like a "jerk" - you're justifiably pretty adamant about people not blowing out their elbows or otherwise injuring themselves doing this work for hours and hours per day. whatever reason there was for Rode's advice (e.g. offering advice that made more sense in the days of short takes, as you suggested), time and the evidence have ultimately favored personal safety and taking care of oneself. now we just need more videos like these that identify practices that cause injuries in the long term (and +1 for the hinted video of how to boom correctly/safely)

[@SoundSpeeds]

Yeah, I need to do that video. Thanks for watching.

[@heilabang1044]

Please release a video on using a boom pole. I would greatly appreciate it!

[@SoundSpeeds]

I'm the works already

[@scabbynack]

Would be interested to see your videos on booming!

[@SoundSpeeds]

👍

[@gkochanowsky]

I would like to see your version of the Rode video.

[@SoundSpeeds]

Working on it.

[@rickymcc8624]

Hi, just subscribed because you sound like you know a lot about boom operating - which you should if it's a part of your 'day job'. As a novice it's hard to know when you're listening to bad advice. I'd certainly appreciate you doing a 'boom masters' video or two. I like the concept of working right - smarter rather than harder - applying good form and technique so as to perform more effectively and minimising risk of personal injury.

[@SoundSpeeds]

Yeah, I do this for a living. Make sure you check out my 3BO series. kzbin.info/aero/PLpPR2HcQu7YIYoynp0ULZ8BY53Pgj0HbJ

[@cuentaparadeciridioteces3648]

Please Mr. Allen, make that video on the proper way of holding the boom pole 🙏 My arms and back would appreciate it.

[@SoundSpeeds]

In the works. :-)

[@cuentaparadeciridioteces3648]

@@SoundSpeeds Cool! Also, can you please throw a couple of tips on how to cue like a pro? I think there's very little of that on the Internet, and certainly not on the level of detail you share.

[@SoundSpeeds]

Totally. :-)

[@ChrisLaxamana]

Right now we're hearing a lot critiques about what NOT to do. This is great but please make that how to video on how to use a boom pole so we're seeing more solutions.

[@SoundSpeeds]

It's in prep.

[@ChrisLaxamana]

@@SoundSpeeds Thanks! Appreciate your content. Subscribed :)

[@SoundSpeeds]

Cool! Welcome aboard!

[@SunriseWaterMedia]

The "H" position.... Allen: ...more like the "ouch" position, amiright! 😄

[@SoundSpeeds]

Yeah, it'll hurt us alright.

[@IMDABROWN]

The delayed queuing was something I was going to ask you about. basically the anticipation part. I always wondered if the boom operator has prior knowledge of the dialog flow or its all reaction. I love these videos better than the Speed Bumps.

[@SoundSpeeds]

Poor Speed Bumps... As for anticipation, check this out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpeplZhoiMeFl6M

[@IMDABROWN]

@@SoundSpeeds Thanks for always being so responsive.

[@SoundSpeeds]

What else am I supposed to do on set during long setups?

[@danielmontes2354]

23:04 we all need that video

[@SoundSpeeds]

👍

[@WORTHITORNOT]

LMAO are your reactions. Love it

[@SoundSpeeds]

Thanks dude.

[@Ranger7Studios]

Dare I show you my budget boom pole video. Lol. Maybe not. :/ Great video as always.

[@SoundSpeeds]

Email it to me. I'd Love to see it. Email in the description

[@funtsittavaa2nd]

Cool 👍

[@SoundSpeeds]

😎

[@KREOLIS]

Don't you have already a video of how to hold a boom? Maybe I am wrong. But please do it would be great!

[@SoundSpeeds]

I have a few techniques based videos but nothing about the basics and working up

[@saidcisneros2933]

Next reaction video on Deitys how to boom video please?

[@SoundSpeeds]

I'm on the fence about that.

[@rahoolsyam9538]

you should remake this video, a short precise vid showcasing and implementing techniques and later a breakdown of this in an full length explanation vid if necessary

[@SoundSpeeds]

I'd have to do it my own way and already have something in the planning phase.

[@rahoolsyam9538]

@@SoundSpeeds Yes, cant wait n am hoping thats how every one feels

[@SoundSpeeds]

Feedback has been positive.

[@IMDABROWN]

You are never a jerk, more like Klaus Kickenklober from Sing 2. 🤣

[@SoundSpeeds]

But I don't hang people over the side of buildings... yet.

[@AtlantaSoundGuy]

Setting aside the wind blast in the first segment, the lack of a seatbelt is a wee bit scary

[@SoundSpeeds]

Very much so. As I said... I'm not sure about him even if he did write the Location Sound Bible.

[@ColinZiemer1]

How much weight does the operator deal with on a boom extended that far? Been curious if there was a way to measure how much weight you actually handle when booming. 5:18

[@SoundSpeeds]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKSqaItua5hpock

[@alexandruciochia8513]

Here is a video I would like you to comment on: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6WweWqGqbSir6M Thank you! BTW, speaking of the “right mic”, I would really appreciate your advices on choosing the right mic for the right job. How many (premium: Schoeps / Neumann / Sennheiser a.o) mics would be needed in a kit to successfully cover most situations. What would be the mics you would opt for, and why.

[@SoundSpeeds]

Many mics will do. It's a matter of personal preference and liking certain sound. Some mixers use one microphone indoors and out - like a Schoeps CMIT 5U or Sennheiser MKH-50. It's all a matter of preference.

[@alexandruciochia8513]

@@SoundSpeeds Thank you for your answer. I understand. In the same time, I wonder who’s preference matters most? The sound recordist’s one. The director’s one? The producer’s one? At the end, it’s not about the quality of the recorded sound on set (of course, that is tremendously important), but I think is the overall sound of the movie (ambiance, folley, music, dialogue) and the nuances that can be recorded on set and emphasised later on in post processing i think that some how, matters. And, for that, the tools I thing matters, and also the craft of the people we work with. (Sorry, I’m a student in cinematograpy, learning to become a movie director, and I am probably over theorising things - but it helps me understand the craft and choose the right professionals for my projects :)

[@ivan.flrs2]

Could you please put a link to the leather gloves you mentioned at 14:47

[@SoundSpeeds]

Good catch! Done. And here too: Mechanix .5mm Gloves: geni.us/MechanixGloves

[@ivan.flrs2]

@@SoundSpeeds thank you so much!

[@SoundSpeeds]

Sure thing!

[@mrshaheedmalik]

That guy is shooting shooting 1:35

[@SoundSpeeds]

Indeed he is

[@jannbautista4480]

12:13, using your head to balance the boom, thoughts?

[@SoundSpeeds]

A bad habit that will lead to compression of the spine and neck issues. I've seen it.

[@samuelwittke511]

Could you react to DEITYs Video regarding Mic types? Following lectures from former Schoeps Chief Engineer Joerg Wuttke, there are many Audio myths an expert should comment on. Best wishes from the Land of Neumann, Schoeps, Sennheiser!

[@SoundSpeeds]

Welcome German sound dude. I'll have to check that video out. Haven't seen it. I will say this... I wasn't overly impressed with the boom techniques video from a couple months back. Edit: You mean the 19:33 long video? If I reacted to that video, it would take me 3 hours.

[@samuelwittke511]

It is long, indeed. But telling fairy tales about SDCs for a Company selling SDCs, is comedy gold. If you don't like - I love your Content still and am excited for further reactions!

[@SoundSpeeds]

I'll check it out

[@RebelTech1990]

This was very helpful. I'm a self taught boom operator and I always want to hear more perspectives to improve my work. Coming from a studio background, transitioning to field/film recording was a culture shock, for lack of better terms. I saw a video you may find interesting: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmSvhHikfpiepZI. This is a Shure shotgun video from a while back, but I think it's still useful today. Thanks for this video, I look forward to checking out more of your stuff.

[@SoundSpeeds]

I'll check it out. Thanks.

[@martindurr3695]

As always, a very interesting video, thank you very much! And it would be great, if you do the boom video. The first scene is from a short promo from Rics Action Movie Sound Effects Library, called "Off The Record". He is not really booming there, it is a part of the short. 😉 You can find it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/boabh6iLedZpbpI Best greetings!

[@SoundSpeeds]

Thank you for that. Still... At least monitor what you're recording if you're OMB.

[@michaelscaplis]

That's what I don't like about KZbin. 100k plus subs, reputable company and still half of what they explain in their video is wrong. So they are basically teaching half truths. Then again it's KZbin not a reputable training course :-) Still some form of rating sytem (besides the rediculous like system) would add more credibility to videos meant to teach people techniques.

[@SoundSpeeds]

But who would give those ratings? The viewer? Would the content creator have to pay for it? If so, only the bigger channels would be able to afford it

[@michaelscaplis]

@@SoundSpeeds it should definitely be a non paid system as - as you state - else only big channels would be able to afford it and one could simply buy the rating. Ideally it would need to be managed by some form of non profit organisation aiming to improve quality (for those videos which persue educational purposes and or accuracy of content). That in turn would require a community of subject matter experts who can provide the ratings on those video's pertaining to their area of expertise. ideally those would be teachers ore researchers. The purpose of the organisation would be to provide a certificate proof of subject matter expert. The community of experts would then give points/ratings.

[@SoundSpeeds]

But considering the days worth of content uploaded every minute, how could any company manage that? Even then, the company wouldn't be full of experts in the field that would know. KZbin already can't properly manage hacked channels and help the creator get their channels back in less than a few weeks in some cases unless they have hundreds of thousands of subs. There's no way on a platform like KZbin this can happen especially when free. If you want paid, vetted knowledge, subscribe to LinkedIn Learning.