How to hire a boom op

Chamber005

Chamber005

Carbonite Member
I've been pretty successful using Countryman lavs along with my FR2LE, but I'm wanting to expand what we're doing and am looking into hiring a boom op (and potentially sound mixer).

I know resumes count for something, but what should I be looking for when posting an ad (on, say, Craigslist?)

I've always rented mics. Should the op have a mic set of their own? I think it would be odd if I hired someone to film something and they didn't have, say, a camera.

I'm just unclear as how to word my Craigslist ad.

Should I just list what I'd like?

1) Experience working on film (short or long form)

2) Experience working on location interiors

3) Professional microphone set up (recorder provided)

???

Like if I was hiring a lighting person I would say pretty much the same thing. Is this appropriate?

Thanks!
 
Those sound good.... Also - Any serious audio guy will have a portfolio with examples of their work. By asking for that you can see how serious they are and of course see their previous work.
 
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Boom ops may or may not have their own rigs, but mixers/recordists most certainly will.

Also be aware that what you're able to offer for compensation is key. If you're looking for bargain-basement (or free) audio ops, you may get some weirdos who don't really know what they're doing. Screen carefully, view (listen to) examples of past work, and choose wisely.
 
If i was hiring crew for the type of situation you mention
the ONLY way I'd go about it is word of mouth.

I would never hire blindly off of Craigs list.
 
Rippie, I agree it is more 'blind' than being referred by someone you trust... but if you have no source for a referral you have to start somewhere. Hence the post I am guessing.

Craigslist breeds both good and bad talent - best to review their work, resume, and meet in person.
 
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MadHMC150 said:
Those sound good.... Also - Any serious audio guy will have a portfolio with examples of their work. By asking for that you can see how serious they are and of course see their previous work.
Click to expand...

If you ask a boom operator or sound mixer for his "portfolio" or his reel you're going to get gales of laughter from any full-time industry professional. What do you think a boom op's portfolio would include?
 
Why would a full time industry professional laugh at a portfolio? And on the other side of that question, what would a boom op's portfolio consist of?

never really thought about this ... curious
 
MadHMC150 said:
Rippie, I agree it is more 'blind' than being referred by someone you trust... but if you have no source for a referral you have to start somewhere. Hence the post I am guessing.

Craigslist breeds both good and bad talent - best to review their work (portfolio), resume, and meet in person.
Click to expand...

Once again this is me speaking for myself,
but if i was in a city that I didnt have access to "word of mouth" people
I would contact the film office in that city
or a production company in that city and ask for their recommendations.
There are plenty of ways to find people.

Ive gotten a lot of jobs from out of state companies who contacted local production companies I work for who then recommend me.
In fact I work for people from out of town on a regular basis so they are getting my name from somewhere!


As far as asking for a reel, sure if you're looking for a gaffer or camera, or any of the visual depts it could gain you something.
Asking for a reel from a sound mixer is just pointless. The audio could have been saved by post, ruined by post..etc..etc.

Ask for shows they've worked on. You'll get a quick idea of they will get the job done for you.

Not to say there arent ok boom op's with no decent credits but theses are just starting points to help you.
 
I guess its a design term... but its essentially some examples of work or listing their related experience in 1 place.

Now of course a full time industry-professional is going to laugh - they have a job/work...

People looking for work have to show what they can do - else others will and get the job.

Rippie has good points too...
 
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Your profile mentions you being in Chicago, and I'm certain there are a lot of highly qualified boom ops and mixers in the area.

You may check Jeff Wexler's blog as a lot of pro sound guys hang out there, and at the very least I bet they could give you some leads in the Chicago area-
http://www.jwsound.net/SMF/

The other opinion is asking other crew members. DPs, gaffers, ect... about how they've worked with before and what they thought of them.

Lastly, before using Craigslist, Mandy.com is much more likely to be helpful in finding more qualified people.
 
greymog said:
Why would a full time industry professional laugh at a portfolio? And on the other side of that question, what would a boom op's portfolio consist of?

never really thought about this ... curious
Click to expand...

They wouldn't laugh at the existence of a reel for a director or an actor or a dp or a gaffer or a sound designer or a composer but the notion of a reel for a production mixer or a boom oiperator is just plain ridiculous, like asking for a reel from a grip or a set painter or a greensman.
 
I guess a boom op could do this kind of video to show you
if he is good or not ;)

(this could be the perfect video for reference when anyone ever asks on here
if they can get their friend to be their boom op)

IMPORTANT NOTICE: No media files are hosted on these forums. By clicking the link below you agree to view content from an external website. We can not be held responsible for the suitability or legality of this material. If the video does not play, wait a minute or try again later.
I AGREE
 
Gohanto said:
Your profile mentions you being in Chicago, and I'm certain there are a lot of highly qualified boom ops and mixers in the area.

You may check Jeff Wexler's blog as a lot of pro sound guys hang out there, and at the very least I bet they could give you some leads in the Chicago area-
http://www.jwsound.net/SMF/

The other opinion is asking other crew members. DPs, gaffers, ect... about how they've worked with before and what they thought of them.

Lastly, before using Craigslist, Mandy.com is much more likely to be helpful in finding more qualified people.
Click to expand...


Will do!

Thanks
 
MadHMC150 said:
Those sound good.... Also - Any serious audio guy will have a portfolio with examples of their work. By asking for that you can see how serious they are and of course see their previous work.
Click to expand...

I can't say for sure about production but in post, unless you doing ad's or games, nobody has a "reel" or a portfolio. There are a couple of reasons the biggest is that it tells you nothing about the persons work. And second if your working on "big" projects you don't have access to your "work". The closest your going to get is to rip the DVD when it comes out.
So as a rule any sound guy for features that has a big portfolio to show you hasn't worked on much on "real" productions. I only have a reel because I started doing a lot of ad's and they collect reels like business cards. They may not watch it but it's what they keep on the shelf to remind them of who is around. Games are a bit the same way and it makes sense with games since it is fairly representative of actual work done. But a boom op???? How do you know if your listening to great boom work or a great salvage job, or good ADR? Is it rough but the conditions were so bad that this rough production is actually fantastic work? Even post is very dodgy. Is it a lousy track because the editor was clueless or because the director was? I've had films come in and all the director wanted was EXACTLY what he had in FCP, no added anything. Filmmaking is a team effort and it is very difficult to pull it apart. All you can generally say is that if it was a good sound job then probably the participants all did pretty good work because any of them could have trashed it. If your really experienced you can pick up on choices that were nice etc. But you still don't know if the designer, an editor, the director, or a PA suggested the choice. You do want a resume though. If they have worked on a lot of good shows that is a good sign. If they have been hired more than once by the same person and you respect that person, it's a good sign. For post if they are young and have a big fat reel full of flashy sound bytes from, either films you have never heard of OR films your sure they never worked on, be careful. They "may" be OK but they don't actually have much/any experience.
 
MadHMC150 said:
I guess its a design term... but its essentially some examples of work or listing their related experience in 1 place.

Now of course a full time industry-professional is going to laugh - they have a job/work...

People looking for work have to show what they can do - else others will and get the job.

Rippie has good points too...
Click to expand...

Other than cold calling ad agencies and some no budget films I have never once been asked for a reel, Ever. For "big budget" work I have never been asked for a resume either. What I generally send out is what's called a "one sheet" and it's a very stripped down resume that is basically a reminder of films you have worked on and contact info. This is what facilities will send out when bidding on a project to remind the clients of what the proposed mixers/ supervisors have worked on (because nobody ever remembers who did the sound).
 
Follow-up on this --

What is the general consensus of the hourly wage for a boom person?

I'll be needing them in 6-8 hour intervals. Food provided.
 
Chamber005 said:
Follow-up on this --

What is the general consensus of the hourly wage for a boom person?

I'll be needing them in 6-8 hour intervals. Food provided.
Click to expand...

Anywhere from $300 per day to $1000 per day, depending on the market and how much gear they use from their own stock. That's based on a 10-hour day.
 
C2V, I think your talking a mixer, though the OP may also be. The union scale for a mixer on say ad's etc is (or was last year) $650 + equipment rentals, boom op was I think around $500-$450. The real rate on the street for independent films is all over the map depending on where you are, what time of year (hard to get discounts when there is ton's of work) and how bad the economy is. A typical rate in the Bay Area for micro & docs is around $450-$550 with equipment. And a "standard" production work day is 10-12 hours (usually 10 working hours and then time for meals etc. for meals).
 
Noiz2 said:
C2V, I think your talking a mixer, though the OP may also be. The union scale for a mixer on say ad's etc is (or was last year) $650 + equipment rentals, boom op was I think around $500-$450. The real rate on the street for independent films is all over the map depending on where you are, what time of year (hard to get discounts when there is ton's of work) and how bad the economy is. A typical rate in the Bay Area for micro & docs is around $450-$550 with equipment. And a "standard" production work day is 10-12 hours (usually 10 working hours and then time for meals etc. for meals).
Click to expand...


So union scale is about 50 bucks an hour. I'll probably pay them 20-25 then so long as they have their own mic and boom equipment.
 
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