Hello fellow stagehands
Recently saw the Les Miserables 25th anniversary concert DVD. One thing I noticed that really intrigued me was the microphone stands. Instead of using wireless mics, the TD chose to use wired mic stands set up in rows on stage. When an actor had a singing or speaking part, they would walk up to a (presumably pre-assigned) microphone. I found it fascinating that the height of the microphones was always correct for the cast member. Now I know you're thinking, "Each person was assigned a mic that was pre-set to their height." I just don't think that's possible considering the cast size of Les Mis. With such a large ensemble, young and old, short and tall, there weren't nearly enough microphones for everybody to have their own. Also, I know they could have been adjusted by hand, but if you watch, the actors walk straight up to their mic and start singing. And I never noticed any stagehands making adjustments out in the open. Without some very tricky camera work, it would have been impossible to adjust them inconspicuously (this was also in front of a live audience of thousands).
So I was thinking, maybe the stands are remote controlled, and they have written cues for them. Has anyone ever heard of that type of system being used successfully? A google search didn't turn up anything definitive. I'm interested in perhaps using this system in some of my projects (on a smaller scale obviously). Does anyone know of a successful system like this?
Ideally, there would be height adjustments and angle adjustments on multiple axes. And any chance that there's DMX control? (That part may just be wishful thinking.)
In the meantime, I will look to see if I can get some screenshots.
Thanks
Recently saw the Les Miserables 25th anniversary concert DVD. One thing I noticed that really intrigued me was the microphone stands. Instead of using wireless mics, the TD chose to use wired mic stands set up in rows on stage. When an actor had a singing or speaking part, they would walk up to a (presumably pre-assigned) microphone. I found it fascinating that the height of the microphones was always correct for the cast member. Now I know you're thinking, "Each person was assigned a mic that was pre-set to their height." I just don't think that's possible considering the cast size of Les Mis. With such a large ensemble, young and old, short and tall, there weren't nearly enough microphones for everybody to have their own. Also, I know they could have been adjusted by hand, but if you watch, the actors walk straight up to their mic and start singing. And I never noticed any stagehands making adjustments out in the open. Without some very tricky camera work, it would have been impossible to adjust them inconspicuously (this was also in front of a live audience of thousands).
So I was thinking, maybe the stands are remote controlled, and they have written cues for them. Has anyone ever heard of that type of system being used successfully? A google search didn't turn up anything definitive. I'm interested in perhaps using this system in some of my projects (on a smaller scale obviously). Does anyone know of a successful system like this?
Ideally, there would be height adjustments and angle adjustments on multiple axes. And any chance that there's DMX control? (That part may just be wishful thinking.)
In the meantime, I will look to see if I can get some screenshots.
Thanks