Hiding Wireless Lav mic's...

[Blah067]

I'm working a church event. I have 6 actors that use wireless, and I would like to convince them, since tomorrow is the "big show", that they hide the mic cords a little better than usual.

FYI: "Usual" would be bodypack closer to the front than back, mic cord in plain sight.

I AM allowing the actors to just clip the mic element under their necks, simply because it isn't that big of a production, and I don't wanna spend time securing mics to hair, cheeks, etc etc. I am having trouble getting enough gain b4 feedback, but with some EQ thats getting better.

My main issue. 5/6 of the actors are TEEN GIRLS. I'm a 16 year old guy.
I'd rather not walk up to them and tell the girl to put the mic pack closer to the back and hide the cord under her shirt. That just sounds wrong?? Or should I just get over it?

How should I phrase it so it looks professional, yet not overly-stupid or perverted?

[mbenonis]

I think you should "just get over it." :-) I think its perfectly reasonable to ask the female actors to go to their dressing rooms and put their mics on under their shirts. I personally would also see if you can get some craft wire at a store like Michaels and make some ear hangers for the mics so you can get the gain before feedback you need. Just make a little loop of wire that fits around the ear, and either twist the clip around the mic cord or gaff the wire to it. The actors should also wear the mic packs under their costumes if there is room to do so (usually, there is). We have custom made elastic bands with pouches for this, but they may be able to use their bras or other underclothing to clip the pack to.

[loki]

I normaly put the mic pac on their bra strap, it only gets wierd if they are primary school kids.

lol, i remember a show i did, the first thing i said to all the female actors was "Turn around, i need to put my hand down your back" (Strange enough it did not get a reaction)

Anyways, i digress, My advice is to get over it.

[Blah067]

Originally Posted by loki

"Turn around, i need to put my hand down your back"

Anyways, i digress, My advice is to get over it.

I don't know how comfortable I am saying this?

[mbenonis]

Just remember, you're just doing your job. The more matter-of-fact you are, the less uncomfortable the situation.

[jkowtko]

I second the "bra pack" -- they work great there, you can't really see the bulge of the pack, and it keeps the waist clear of beltlines.

I'm actually going to try creating "backpacks" for the guys using the same pouch but with a sling to go over both arms, to get the pack in the same position between the wing bones. If anyone's already done this, please let us know how it went.

Fortunately I have a female apprentice who just graduated high school this year and has helped on the kids/teens productions for two summers -- so there hasn't been an issue with the girls mounting their bra packs. For the adult actors, the women usually could care less. But they can also help each other with pack mounting.

The older and more experienced these actors get, the less they care about prancing around backstage in next to nothing. If you have any veterans around you might ask them to help to pacify concerns.

[waynehoskins]

It doesn't have to be you putting your hand down their backs; they might could do that themselves. Just tell 'em where to put the transmitter pack and how to run the cable. And if you explain first that it makes the show better, and them look better, to have a hidden cable and transmitter pack rather than the cable dangling in front of them to a transmitter pack on their belts, and then explain how to put it and where to put it, your burden might be eased.

[greghouse]

Now I know you are 16, so you are not an "adult" in legal terms. But once you become an adult, have someone there to vouch for you that this is your job. I had a older friend once who was threatened with a suit because a teenage female actress claimed she was groped. I am pretty certain you will not get into trouble at a church. But elsewhere, be careful how you act.

[scubadiver305]

i am kinda the same position as you were and what we do is we have cloth bags that someone made that the actors can tie around their waists under their costumes, so they do to wire and everything...you just have to make sure they do it right. and a good way that we found to position the mic is clear, waterproof medical tape. you cant see it and it is very versatile. you can fix the gain problem just by moving the mic to the hairline or taping it to the cheek.

[lieperjp]

If your makeup and costume crew is responsible enough, enlist their help... That's what happened at my High School and is what I do at college. I basically hand out the mics to the actors if I am sound or helping the sound op out by changing out batteries and handing out mics, the make-up people know where it is supposed to go and how to hide the element and the cord. That way, when help is needed, I don't have to run from something else that I am doing and I don't find myself in an uncomfortable position. Also, the first time you hand out the mics in rehearsal, explain exactly where they should be clipped. Explain to all the actors at once, if possible. Most of the leads I work with now are well-trained.

Good doggie!!! Just let me clip your leash, I mean mic on and you can have a treat...