Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1504940
My Favorite Sound Tool: Earwigs As production sound mixers, we use different tools in different ways, which has always been part of what I've enjoyed reading and hearing about from other mixers. I have found earwigs to be an integral part of my kit, so I keep as many on hand as possible. I've used them to help in so many situations such as cueing off-camera dialogue, allowing directors to give specific notes to actors, and allowing script supervisors to read the off-camera lines while protecting the dialogue and the ambience. The latter is a favorite of mine. I provide the script supervisor with a microphone that goes directly to the actors' earwigs. It helps the actors stay in the scene, keeps a more natural pace to the dialogue, and saves the ambient sound for post-production. Maintaining the ambient sound also makes it easier for post-production to cut in the off-camera dialogue. Like many of you, I have used Phonak's tried-and-true original Invisity earwigs. When I heard that they were no longer being manufactured, I got the urge to snatch up as many as possible; they were great for me for years. I had gathered up 15 earwigs, which was plenty for some time. But, of course, technology is constantly changing and I knew that, eventually, I would need to change. Looking at my upcoming work, I realized that being able to get parts quickly or in more quantity was going to become a problem. With them no longer manufacturing the model I'd become so attached to, I knew I had to start testing out new models. Since I'd had good luck with their previous model, I chose to try Phonak's new earwig, the Roger. [Roger TM earpiece launched in 2016 and discontinued in 2020.] b y S t e v e n A . M o r r o w C A S