Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1010948
C A S Q U A R T E R L Y S U M M E R 2 0 1 8 27 Arts. Then we threw the workshop open to the world: to students from SVA, NYU, and Columbia University to Local 52 members, their families and friends, and to the general public by way of the internet and Facebook. The theater at SVA was filled to capacity. Six wonderful professional boom operators took part in the show: Julian Townsend, Julie Stalker-Wilde, Patrushkha Mierzwa, Kira Smith, Jeanne Gilliland, and Varyana Galdamez. (Most of them had worked the week before participating in the workshop. Julian Townsend worked all night Friday and then came to the workshop on Saturday to participate!) The boom operators demonstrated how to wire actors in a variety of situations. They wired actors in different wardrobes, in head scarves, and they put mics in the actors' hair. The audience could see the wiring very clearly because there were video cameras connected to a huge screen and five SVA camera people shooting the event. As the boom operators demonstrated their techniques, the cameras shot close-ups that appeared on the screen. Then the audience divided up so that each boom operator had a group of 20 to 30 people. The people in the groups got a chance to try out the techniques they'd just learned. They were able to use different kinds of microphones and professional wiring accessories provided by Gotham Sound. They also had a chance to interact with professional actors. We recorded the entire event: Julian Townsend recorded the audio and Peter Schneider recorded the video. I'm a big believer in "Discovery Learning." I believe that we learn best when we get to try things hands-on. We learn most thoroughly when we make mistakes and find our way past our mistakes to workable solutions. The wiring workshop permitted many people to do this very thing. With the cooperation of our wonderful boom people, Peter Schneider and his technicians, Mark Ulano and the CAS, the SVA staff and students, and four terrific professional actors, many people in New York City learned a great deal and had a terrific time while they learned. You can find a full gallery of the event here: http://cinemaaudiosociety.org/wiring-clinic-nyc/ Stay tuned to email announcements, webpage postings, and CAS Quarterly announcements to stay abreast of future events. •