Stage Directions: Point Source Audio works with audio professionals from all different industries and listens to their important feedback on what works, what doesn’t, and what could be improved/created to solve production challenges. This month, PSA addresses how to properly fit a headset microphone to an actor or presenter.
2 comments:
I personally have a love-hate relationship with headset mics, since often I find that they just get in the way of everything we try to achieve on our stages. In many other industries, seeing the microphone is not a big deal. I immediately think of a football referee, who is constantly running around. We don't care if we see the mic, but it needs to stay snugly and comfortably to their face. However, in a world where wigs are constantly being worn, the wigset option is just cleaner and doesn't break the plane of reality we try to put forth on stage. Even if that isn't an option, I still think the earset piece is the way to go since it still gets the benefits of structure from the ear and discreteness. Regardless, I think that this article has a lot to offer for both ear and wigset microphones. Not straining the cable is extremely important, as well as proper care with all the makeup that can get into the element. Additionally, not properly fitting an earset piece will invariably fall right off.
I always thought for some reason you mic people unless you are in a very intimate theater setting for a production. Coming to Carnegie Mellon and watching a production in the MainStage theater without mics was very interesting. It makes sense in how it is expensive and a hassle to set up, mic people, and properly use, but at the same time it is essentially a skill to mic people properly so the audience members can always hear what is going on. The worst part of any show is when the audience can't hear and I have noticed that it has happened at a few Carnegie Mellon productions. It is very essential to know how to mic an actor. I have done many shows in the past where mics haven't been turned on or a lav is broken and the show would have never happened if there wasn't a mic check. I encourage everyone who was ever a stagehand to learn how to mic an actor, at times actors should learn to mic themselves. It is just a necessary skill to learn when you are performing for an audience who needs to hear your voice.
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