Lapel mic question at DVinfo.net

Alan Carroll · July 6th, 2006, 01:25 AM

Hi. I'm researching close mic options and I've seen some helpful threads. For those of you filming lots of weddings, I'm curious to know how much resistance you encounter from brides to conceal a transmitter or MD or iriver recorder or even a mic on their clothing. Where do you find is the most acceptable location to place these items? It would seem to me that grooms and celebrants would be more receptive than brides. Thanks.

Michael Cassidy · July 9th, 2006, 12:23 PM

Funny you should ask, I had a "scene" with a photographer, at yesterdays' Wedding, over the Groom's lapel Mic, the Groom was ok with it, but the tog, said it would spoil his photos, the Groom had a light jacket on, so it was visible, but, what else can you do? You buy the gear to get decent sound, then you can't always use it. It's never happened to me before, but what do others do?
I ended up taking the mic off the groom, and telling him to speak up! It was only going to be on him for the ceremony.
Mike.

Steve House · July 9th, 2006, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Cassidy

Funny you should ask, I had a "scene" with a photographer, at yesterdays' Wedding, over the Groom's lapel Mic, the Groom was ok with it, but the tog, said it would spoil his photos, the Groom had a light jacket on, so it was visible, but, what else can you do? You buy the gear to get decent sound, then you can't always use it. It's never happened to me before, but what do others do?
I ended up taking the mic off the groom, and telling him to speak up! It was only going to be on him for the ceremony.
Mike.

Why should the photog win? Your video isn't just as important as his pictures? OR viewed another way, having the mic visible doesn't prevent him from taking decent pictures but removing the mic does prevent you from shotting decent video.

Michael Cassidy · July 9th, 2006, 01:38 PM

Well said Steve, but the Bride was due and he was being loud, and saying he'd done hundreds of Weddings, and had never seen a Groom, with a mic on! I know, I know! but there was a Bride due! We're at a Church, so I backed down, I was really wanting you to say, just, what you've said.
I did explain the situation with the B&G later. To be honest I was "gobsmacked" by his attitute. What with Photoshop! He was shooting digital, after all!
Mike.

Dean Sensui · July 9th, 2006, 02:28 PM

Not sure what the size of the lapel mic was, but I use a Countryman B3 and it's easily hidden.

The bodypack, placed behind the groom under the jacket, would be invisible. And the lav can be rigged into the, extending out only just enough to stay clear of the clothing. Perhaps coming out just under a button.

And as for the photographer making a scene: that guy must be terribly insecure. That episode will probably be a black mark to his reputation if it made enough of an impression on the groom and guests.

Steve House · July 9th, 2006, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean Sensui

Not sure what the size of the lapel mic was, but I use a Countryman B3 and it's easily hidden.

The bodypack, placed behind the groom under the jacket, would be invisible. And the lav can be rigged into the, extending out only just enough to stay clear of the clothing. Perhaps coming out just under a button.

And as for the photographer making a scene: that guy must be terribly insecure. That episode will probably be a black mark to his reputation if it made enough of an impression on the groom and guests.

Ditto - and the B3 has replaceable caps so you can match the mic colour to the clothing making it all but invisible.

Alan Carroll · July 9th, 2006, 11:08 PM

Wow! No wonder hardly anyone mics the bride. Enough trouble with the groom. An incredibly unco-operative attitude. You're right, an unobtrusive lav mic is going to spoil his pics? Very surprising that he hasn't encountered a lav before. I can understand you not wanting to go toe to toe with him at the time though. Last thing the B & G need. Colored caps seem a good idea.

Michael Cassidy · July 10th, 2006, 12:19 AM

It was the Sennheiser G2, the transmitter was in the Groom's inside pocket, and the miniture Mic, was sticking out, clipped to his lapel, in the "usual way" it's black, of course, it's almost invisible with a dark jacket, but, I think with a light coloured jacket, it was more noticable than normal. When I've put the Mic on the inside, as in the past,you can get a "rustling" noise when they exchange the rings.
To be honest, with the tog, saying he'd never seen one at hundreds of weddings, I was starting to think, Is it me? But you've reaffirmed, my first thoughts, he was a "one off".

Mike.

July 6th, 2006, 01:25 AM	#1
Alan Carroll New Boot Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MOOLOOLABA, Queensland Posts: 14	Lapel mic question Hi. I'm researching close mic options and I've seen some helpful threads. For those of you filming lots of weddings, I'm curious to know how much resistance you encounter from brides to conceal a transmitter or MD or iriver recorder or even a mic on their clothing. Where do you find is the most acceptable location to place these items? It would seem to me that grooms and celebrants would be more receptive than brides. Thanks. __________________ Al

July 9th, 2006, 02:28 PM	#5
Dean Sensui Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 2,054	Not sure what the size of the lapel mic was, but I use a Countryman B3 and it's easily hidden. The bodypack, placed behind the groom under the jacket, would be invisible. And the lav can be rigged into the, extending out only just enough to stay clear of the clothing. Perhaps coming out just under a button. And as for the photographer making a scene: that guy must be terribly insecure. That episode will probably be a black mark to his reputation if it made enough of an impression on the groom and guests. __________________ Dean Sensui Exec Producer, Hawaii Goes Fishing

July 9th, 2006, 11:08 PM	#7
Alan Carroll New Boot Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MOOLOOLABA, Queensland Posts: 14	Wow! No wonder hardly anyone mics the bride. Enough trouble with the groom. An incredibly unco-operative attitude. You're right, an unobtrusive lav mic is going to spoil his pics? Very surprising that he hasn't encountered a lav before. I can understand you not wanting to go toe to toe with him at the time though. Last thing the B & G need. Colored caps seem a good idea. __________________ Al

July 9th, 2006, 12:23 PM	#2
Michael Cassidy Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Tyneside U.K. Posts: 45	Funny you should ask, I had a "scene" with a photographer, at yesterdays' Wedding, over the Groom's lapel Mic, the Groom was ok with it, but the tog, said it would spoil his photos, the Groom had a light jacket on, so it was visible, but, what else can you do? You buy the gear to get decent sound, then you can't always use it. It's never happened to me before, but what do others do? I ended up taking the mic off the groom, and telling him to speak up! It was only going to be on him for the ceremony. Mike.

July 9th, 2006, 01:38 PM	#4
Michael Cassidy Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Tyneside U.K. Posts: 45	Well said Steve, but the Bride was due and he was being loud, and saying he'd done hundreds of Weddings, and had never seen a Groom, with a mic on! I know, I know! but there was a Bride due! We're at a Church, so I backed down, I was really wanting you to say, just, what you've said. I did explain the situation with the B&G later. To be honest I was "gobsmacked" by his attitute. What with Photoshop! He was shooting digital, after all! Mike.

July 10th, 2006, 12:19 AM	#8
Michael Cassidy Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Tyneside U.K. Posts: 45	It was the Sennheiser G2, the transmitter was in the Groom's inside pocket, and the miniture Mic, was sticking out, clipped to his lapel, in the "usual way" it's black, of course, it's almost invisible with a dark jacket, but, I think with a light coloured jacket, it was more noticable than normal. When I've put the Mic on the inside, as in the past,you can get a "rustling" noise when they exchange the rings. To be honest, with the tog, saying he'd never seen one at hundreds of weddings, I was starting to think, Is it me? But you've reaffirmed, my first thoughts, he was a "one off". Mike.