You'll usually use one of two mics for a scene, either a lavalier (the small mic you see clipped to someone's jacket) or a shotgun on a boom (a long, narrow mic at the end of a pole). There are pros and cons to each and it's important to know which is better in which situation. Lavaliers, or "lavs," are easier to use than booms. You clip the mic to the subject, run the cables and you have sound. With a boom, you need a boom operator and you have to worry about following the subject and hiding the mic from the camera. However, professionals prefer the sound of a boom over a lav. Of course, it depends on the mics being compared, but generally the boom will give a more natural and pleasing sound. There are times when you need a lav over a boom. Wedding ceremonies require a wireless lav. Documentary interviews are less intimidating with a lav. When you don't have or can't afford a boom operator. When the subject will be in a long shot and you can't hide the boom from the camera. (more on this, later) Created: 2005-03-15 Modified: [Return to Previous Screen]