Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1491103
58 S P R I N G 2 0 2 3 I C A S Q U A R T E R L Y Karol Urban CAS MPSE began the conversation by asking boom operator Mitchell Gebhard to describe a typical day as a boom op. "The boom op is the first line of defense for capturing sound on set. Really, my day starts with just being on set for block rehearsal. Then from that point on, I have to problem solve the entire day; always keeping an eye on what's going on. As a boom operator, you have to know everybody's job on set and collaborate. I have to talk to the Grip Department while they shape lighting. I work with the Electric Department moving things a little further away from the set that might be noisy. I have to talk to the Camera Department extensively because I need to know what we are framing-up and work with the actors on what they're going to do. Really being the diplomat and ambassador to the set for the Sound Department." Karol then asked how he manages to keep actors on axis. Mitchell shared, "Being on set, you learn body cadences. For me, a lot of time I watch shoulders because that is generally the driving force for some- one moving." Mitchell also makes it a point to be very familiar with how the camera works, specifically when it comes to lenses. By communicating with the camera person about which lens is being used, he can make quick calculations to determine how much room he has to work with for any given shot. "It's a very layered job; it's not just holding a microphone out there." Karol moved on to sound utility Rebecca Chan, asking, "How [do] you work within your crew and communicate to get the job done?" Rebecca replied, Our Partners in Sound Crime b y C A S A s s o c i a t e S a m C a s a s The final panel of the day at The Sounding Board v2.0 event was a conversation with the sound collaborators who really lay the foundation to what ultimately becomes the show's final soundtrack. CAS President Karol Urban moderated the panel, helping us to uncover the roles these members of each department play, and how their specialized skill set is an essential link in the chain. L-R: Moderator Karol Urban CAS MPSE, boom op Mitchell Gebhard, sound utility Rebecca Chan, picture assistant Ashley McKinney, assistant sound editor David Stanke, and mix tech Steve Neal.