Is this a lav microphone, or hair bead? at DVinfo.net

Robert Knecht Schmidt · March 23rd, 2008, 01:11 PM

Eagle-eyed fans of Lost are trying to determine if the end of a lavalier microphone was visible hanging from over the ear of a cast member in a close-up, or whether it's a hair bead.

Give it a look. Have you ever seen a lav that looks like this (or, conversely, a jewelry accessory)?

Dan Brockett · March 23rd, 2008, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Knecht Schmidt

Eagle-eyed fans of Lost are trying to determine if the end of a lavalier microphone was visible hanging from over the ear of a cast member in a close-up, or whether it's a hair bead.

Give it a look. Have you ever seen a lav that looks like this (or, conversely, a jewelry accessory)?

It's definitely a mic.

I just tested 16 different models of wired lavaliers so I have seen and been handling most of the mics out there. The ones that I have seen that have a hard windscreen shaped like that, if memory serves were the Sennheiser MKE-2 Gold, the DPA 4071 and the Sanken COS-11X (see attached images from my article).
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/3749/1206298988.jpg
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/3749/1206299054.jpg
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/3749/1206299109.jpg

Since Lost is a television show, I would be willing to bet it is the Sanken dressed with some tubes to look like an earring. Most professional sound mixers in television and film seem to primarily use the Sanken. Very clever rig.

Dan

Robert Knecht Schmidt · March 23rd, 2008, 09:12 PM

Looks like we have a match. Nice work. Thanks!

Ben Winter · March 23rd, 2008, 09:23 PM

I JUST finished this episode 2 minutes ago and was wondering the same thing! And then to stumble onto this thread moments later...I wonder why they didn't reshoot it...it was pretty obvious.

Jeffery Magat · March 24th, 2008, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Winter

I JUST finished this episode 2 minutes ago and was wondering the same thing! And then to stumble onto this thread moments later...I wonder why they didn't reshoot it...it was pretty obvious.

You really think they should reshoot that? I'm sure most people wouldn't have caught that at all. Very nice rig job though.

D.J. Ammons · March 24th, 2008, 09:09 AM

Some years ago when my kids were young we were watching a low budget Kid's Sci Fi movie on video. I forget the name.

What I clearly remember is a scene where Richard Moll (playing a bad guy) steps out of a very shiny old black Lincoln Continental from the 60's (the ones with the suicide doors).

As he steps out of the car they cut to a close up shot of his feet coming out of the car and hitting the ground. When he closes the door you can clearly see the entire film crew, camera, mic boom, etc reflected in the shiny black door!

I remember thinking at the time that this must really be a low budget film if they didn't bother to fix something that obvious.

Joe Voorhees · March 26th, 2008, 08:50 AM

I really hope that poor mic was painted by props b/c it looks like it's had a rough life!

(and yeah my vote is for the Sanken COS-11X)

March 23rd, 2008, 01:11 PM	#1
Robert Knecht Schmidt Wrangler Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,933	Is this a lav microphone, or hair bead? Eagle-eyed fans of Lost are trying to determine if the end of a lavalier microphone was visible hanging from over the ear of a cast member in a close-up, or whether it's a hair bead. Give it a look. Have you ever seen a lav that looks like this (or, conversely, a jewelry accessory)? __________________ All the best, Robert K S Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| The best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

March 23rd, 2008, 09:12 PM	#3
Robert Knecht Schmidt Wrangler Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,933	Looks like we have a match. Nice work. Thanks! __________________ All the best, Robert K S Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| The best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

March 23rd, 2008, 09:23 PM	#4
Ben Winter Trustee Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 1,675 Images: 1	I JUST finished this episode 2 minutes ago and was wondering the same thing! And then to stumble onto this thread moments later...I wonder why they didn't reshoot it...it was pretty obvious. __________________ BenWinter.com

March 26th, 2008, 08:50 AM	#7
Joe Voorhees New Boot Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Springfield, NJ Posts: 24	I really hope that poor mic was painted by props b/c it looks like it's had a rough life! (and yeah my vote is for the Sanken COS-11X) Last edited by Joe Voorhees; March 26th, 2008 at 04:11 PM.

March 24th, 2008, 09:09 AM	#6
D.J. Ammons Major Player Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 506	Some years ago when my kids were young we were watching a low budget Kid's Sci Fi movie on video. I forget the name. What I clearly remember is a scene where Richard Moll (playing a bad guy) steps out of a very shiny old black Lincoln Continental from the 60's (the ones with the suicide doors). As he steps out of the car they cut to a close up shot of his feet coming out of the car and hitting the ground. When he closes the door you can clearly see the entire film crew, camera, mic boom, etc reflected in the shiny black door! I remember thinking at the time that this must really be a low budget film if they didn't bother to fix something that obvious.