Perchman
Encyclopedia
The French perchman is equivalent to the U.S. boom operator
in film production, also called the sound assistant or boomer, but differs regarding attributions. The perchman is the production sound mixer
's assistant and is in charge of the microphone
placement, typically using a light and telescopic pole also called a fish pole or boom.
Thus, the perchman places and moves the microphone "in real time" in order to pick up the voices of each actor
during filming. Being a perchman involves providing the best sound quality possible to the sound mixer while at the same time, not causing shadows or entering the camera frame. To accomplish this, the perchman works in collaboration with the camera operator
and the cinematographer
(who directs the camera movements and lights the scenes) and the gaffer
. Other duties include the hiding of miniature wireless microphones (radio mics) on the actors, the placement of hidden auxiliary microphones, and the controlling of sound reflections by the use of furniture blankets and carpet. He readies the equipment at the beginning of each day and stores the gear when the day is 'wrapped', or finished. The perchman manages the technical contingencies allowing the production sound mixer to concentrate on the artistic side of sound recording.
Boom operator (media)
A Boom operator is an assistant of the production sound mixer. The principal responsibility of the boom operator is microphone placement, sometimes using a "fishpole" with a microphone attached to the end and sometimes, when the situation permits, using a "boom" which is a more intricate and...
in film production, also called the sound assistant or boomer, but differs regarding attributions. The perchman is the production sound mixer
Production sound mixer
A production sound mixer, location sound recordist, location sound engineer or simply sound mixer is the member of a film crew or television crew responsible for recording all sound recording on set during the filmmaking or television production using professional audio equipment, for later...
's assistant and is in charge of the microphone
Microphone
A microphone is an acoustic-to-electric transducer or sensor that converts sound into an electrical signal. In 1877, Emile Berliner invented the first microphone used as a telephone voice transmitter...
placement, typically using a light and telescopic pole also called a fish pole or boom.
Thus, the perchman places and moves the microphone "in real time" in order to pick up the voices of each actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
during filming. Being a perchman involves providing the best sound quality possible to the sound mixer while at the same time, not causing shadows or entering the camera frame. To accomplish this, the perchman works in collaboration with the camera operator
Camera operator
A camera operator or cameraman is a professional operator of a film or video camera. In filmmaking, the leading cameraman is usually called a cinematographer, while a cameraman in a video production may be known as a television camera operator, video camera operator, or videographer, depending on...
and the cinematographer
Cinematographer
A cinematographer is one photographing with a motion picture camera . The title is generally equivalent to director of photography , used to designate a chief over the camera and lighting crews working on a film, responsible for achieving artistic and technical decisions related to the image...
(who directs the camera movements and lights the scenes) and the gaffer
Gaffer (filmmaking)
A gaffer in the motion picture industry and on a television crew is an electrician that can be head of the electrical department, responsible for the execution of the lighting plan for a production. Gaffer, outside of the motion picture industry, is a traditional British English word for an older...
. Other duties include the hiding of miniature wireless microphones (radio mics) on the actors, the placement of hidden auxiliary microphones, and the controlling of sound reflections by the use of furniture blankets and carpet. He readies the equipment at the beginning of each day and stores the gear when the day is 'wrapped', or finished. The perchman manages the technical contingencies allowing the production sound mixer to concentrate on the artistic side of sound recording.