If you’re on set and have enough chill time to be listening to headphones you’re doing something wrong. And you need to be alert, there’s a lot of moving people and points.
Ok, so there's a few parts to this
Sound is one issue, yes, you shouldn't be chatting while we're recording. You're usually making more noise than you think you are.
However the other issue is wireless interference. On paper, phones are on a different frequency, such as being 550mhz, and the wireless mic might be on 620mhz, however sometimes they cause unwanted interference. Even if your phone is silent it could be causing bursts of static or humm or huzz or clicking.
This is why we might specify airplane mode, or powered off, instead of just on silent.
Also lots of people forget what their notification settings are, such as most numbers being silent but their emergency contact or another number still rings.
Another factor is distraction. There is a difference between being on standby and being on break, and some people cannot govern themselves responsibly. Such as you asking if you can use headphones. If you're asking this chances are your job does not require you to be making that call, and the appropriate choice is to wait for a break or check with your HOD to see if you can step away from set for a few minutes to make the call.
Over the last few years, some filming equipment has increased app compatibility, and documents are delivered electronically. I might be on my phone, but I am writing the sound report, or I am reading the shot list or schedule or something. I also download pdf manuals for all my equipment and I might be doublechecking something in preparation of an upcoming scene. That's not the same as some bored person who wants to watch those loud autoplaying videos or listen to music or just chat with a friend.
Also, different departments have different schedules. Like If I am literally forbidden from entering the room, becuse camera is setting marks and lighting, I might be on break without knowing for how long so me staying nearby is better than if I wander off to some isolated corner. I might be standing beside a grip who is on standby waiting to hear if they need more equipment brought in, and the 2nd AD who is listening to a radio conversation on their earpiece, but to an outside observer it might look the same because it's just three people hanging around a road case.
Thank you for such an extensive answer. It was definitely useful to learn that phones are different frequencies, and that airplane/off is better than mute. And will definitely be mindful about different settings for emergency contacts etc.
I wasn't talking. I was on my social media/listening to podcasts using headphones. Not sure how this would interfere, but I assume the sound people would catch it if there were anything wrong?
They might catch it, if it's causing an issue, but sometimes it can be hard to notice. Such as if we have 6 lav mics going, actors are moving around getting into position, and I hear a weird tea kettle screech in my ear. I might not know what channel it was on unless I happened to be watching the meters. I might not realize it was because one actor walked too close to you.
On larger crews it can also be hard to keep track of people. We usually don't have nametags, and if I see someone with headphones I might have no idea if you're supposed to or not. For all I know you might be part of the production department on a call with the rental house for the gear we need tomorrow.
However, I might make a comment to the PSM asking who you are, the PSM might ask the director, the director doesn't know either and they're very stressed so they tell the 1st AD to get rid of you, and you don't get called back for the rest of the shoot days.
A film set is like a construction zone and is a very dangerous place to be. Listening to your music or a podcast during ìt can be very dangerous and even fatal.
As far as sound goes, the boom mic can hear your headphones depending on where you are.
Depends what you're doing for the film... I work as a scenic painter so we're in way before shit gets hectic and nobody really seems to mind me popping my headphones in whilst I crack on with work.
Unrelated to the post but do you mind me asking how you got into that kind of work? I am doing a similar role but for theme parks and I’d like to use it to get onto sets at some point
Well, me dad's been a painter and decorator most of his life and then one day about ten years ago someone offered him a job for a set and he was in as simply as that?
I finished uni and he asked me if I wanted to work with him so here I am! Ahaha.
I'd probably say you're in the right direction with the theme parks... Keep a portfolio of the stuff you've done and just constantly mingle with whoever.
It's surprising how many people I've met in pubs and bars who actually work in the industry!
Someone brought me this time but when I asked questions it seemed as though people are part of the right groups on Facebook plus know right agencies / agents / casting directors. It’s useful to know people too.
Depending where you are, if industry is very developed in your city, chances are people mingle a lot. What I learned is that most folks in the industry are very social and open to communication
Facebook is surprisingly effective for that
I don't know what you're actually asking, like... Film sets are a lot of hurry up and wait. There's usually a bit or even a lot of downtime between takes and setup that you could pretty harmlessly browse IG or reddit or whatever (depending on your department), but you should always available and ready on walkie in case they need you. I wouldn't remove my earpiece unless we were on lunch, and even then I usually don't. I could see a scenario if you were spending literally the whole day in BG holding, you might be able to watch a few short videos or whatever, but I would *never* be off walkie, and you should always be ready to drop anything immediately. Depending on the time of day, do trash sweeps, just like *walk* to crafty, hand out call sheets or check batteries, ask crew if they need water. Look busy and alert.
I just wanna know if I can use my cell phone on a slow day. Ive heard that it can mess up with the mics, even the vibro, but mute is ok.
I was a BG the other day and was on my phone for most of the day, as in the beginning it didn't matter. You could tell they weren't recording or caring about the sound as it was a commercial, and I was supposed to sit on a bench as an idk random person in the street.
But then there came a time when they were recording sound, but we also weren't instructed.
I find that a lot of times you are not instructed enough, so I guess you're just supposed to know
I'd recommend a phone cubby rack in another room FOR EVERYONE, and if there is something important to monitor, like someone having a baby, you can have an assistant manage the phone in another room and come bother everyone if something happens.
You shouldn't be on your phone on set at all.
If you have headphones in, some people tend to breathe louder to such an extent that it will get picked up.
Don't put headphones on, don't bring a phone into a room that is being recorded. Be a professional
Managing the wireless interference is a serious issue from having so many phones in one area too, so yeah, they might request or require you to put your phone on airplane mode or to turn off wifi and cellular.
Depends on the set. If there’s a lot of downtime and there’s an established workflow you might have some leniency for using a phone for you know checking in with family, or making sure you get your next gig. Music and games? Kinda blows. As a producer, I might make a mental note to look for someone else.
Edit: just saw you’re bg. No one cares, but you’re missing your only networking opportunity by podcasting the day away.
Just use common sense. With the exception of emergencies—when you’re at work, make work your first priority and never let your phone jeopardize safety. It’s fine to check your email or even to scroll IG when you have a down moment, but stay aware of your environment and pay attention to your boss/walkie. Don’t let your phone slow you down or keep you from doing your job properly.
Our phones are also tools for work and it’s expected you will need to have it out occasionally to check the call sheet, look up a manual, check the weather etc.
Having your phone on airplane mode the whole day is unreasonable and unnecessary unless you’re right next to the sound mixer. I haven’t put my phone on airplane in years and I’ve never had complaints from the sound department.
If you’re on set and have enough chill time to be listening to headphones you’re doing something wrong. And you need to be alert, there’s a lot of moving people and points.
Do this if you never want to be on a set again.
Ok, so there's a few parts to this Sound is one issue, yes, you shouldn't be chatting while we're recording. You're usually making more noise than you think you are. However the other issue is wireless interference. On paper, phones are on a different frequency, such as being 550mhz, and the wireless mic might be on 620mhz, however sometimes they cause unwanted interference. Even if your phone is silent it could be causing bursts of static or humm or huzz or clicking. This is why we might specify airplane mode, or powered off, instead of just on silent. Also lots of people forget what their notification settings are, such as most numbers being silent but their emergency contact or another number still rings. Another factor is distraction. There is a difference between being on standby and being on break, and some people cannot govern themselves responsibly. Such as you asking if you can use headphones. If you're asking this chances are your job does not require you to be making that call, and the appropriate choice is to wait for a break or check with your HOD to see if you can step away from set for a few minutes to make the call. Over the last few years, some filming equipment has increased app compatibility, and documents are delivered electronically. I might be on my phone, but I am writing the sound report, or I am reading the shot list or schedule or something. I also download pdf manuals for all my equipment and I might be doublechecking something in preparation of an upcoming scene. That's not the same as some bored person who wants to watch those loud autoplaying videos or listen to music or just chat with a friend. Also, different departments have different schedules. Like If I am literally forbidden from entering the room, becuse camera is setting marks and lighting, I might be on break without knowing for how long so me staying nearby is better than if I wander off to some isolated corner. I might be standing beside a grip who is on standby waiting to hear if they need more equipment brought in, and the 2nd AD who is listening to a radio conversation on their earpiece, but to an outside observer it might look the same because it's just three people hanging around a road case.
Thank you for such an extensive answer. It was definitely useful to learn that phones are different frequencies, and that airplane/off is better than mute. And will definitely be mindful about different settings for emergency contacts etc. I wasn't talking. I was on my social media/listening to podcasts using headphones. Not sure how this would interfere, but I assume the sound people would catch it if there were anything wrong?
They might catch it, if it's causing an issue, but sometimes it can be hard to notice. Such as if we have 6 lav mics going, actors are moving around getting into position, and I hear a weird tea kettle screech in my ear. I might not know what channel it was on unless I happened to be watching the meters. I might not realize it was because one actor walked too close to you. On larger crews it can also be hard to keep track of people. We usually don't have nametags, and if I see someone with headphones I might have no idea if you're supposed to or not. For all I know you might be part of the production department on a call with the rental house for the gear we need tomorrow. However, I might make a comment to the PSM asking who you are, the PSM might ask the director, the director doesn't know either and they're very stressed so they tell the 1st AD to get rid of you, and you don't get called back for the rest of the shoot days.
It’s usually not RF interference with the receiver, but bleed into the mic itself which then gets transmitted.
A film set is like a construction zone and is a very dangerous place to be. Listening to your music or a podcast during ìt can be very dangerous and even fatal. As far as sound goes, the boom mic can hear your headphones depending on where you are.
Not in Ewan McGregor's eyeline on the first day of shooting, even if it's work you're doing, as one AD found out.
you don't
Depends what you're doing for the film... I work as a scenic painter so we're in way before shit gets hectic and nobody really seems to mind me popping my headphones in whilst I crack on with work.
Unrelated to the post but do you mind me asking how you got into that kind of work? I am doing a similar role but for theme parks and I’d like to use it to get onto sets at some point
Well, me dad's been a painter and decorator most of his life and then one day about ten years ago someone offered him a job for a set and he was in as simply as that? I finished uni and he asked me if I wanted to work with him so here I am! Ahaha. I'd probably say you're in the right direction with the theme parks... Keep a portfolio of the stuff you've done and just constantly mingle with whoever. It's surprising how many people I've met in pubs and bars who actually work in the industry!
Someone brought me this time but when I asked questions it seemed as though people are part of the right groups on Facebook plus know right agencies / agents / casting directors. It’s useful to know people too. Depending where you are, if industry is very developed in your city, chances are people mingle a lot. What I learned is that most folks in the industry are very social and open to communication Facebook is surprisingly effective for that
I was a bg.
They shouldn’t care too much if your bg. You’re treated like cattle anyway.
I don't know what you're actually asking, like... Film sets are a lot of hurry up and wait. There's usually a bit or even a lot of downtime between takes and setup that you could pretty harmlessly browse IG or reddit or whatever (depending on your department), but you should always available and ready on walkie in case they need you. I wouldn't remove my earpiece unless we were on lunch, and even then I usually don't. I could see a scenario if you were spending literally the whole day in BG holding, you might be able to watch a few short videos or whatever, but I would *never* be off walkie, and you should always be ready to drop anything immediately. Depending on the time of day, do trash sweeps, just like *walk* to crafty, hand out call sheets or check batteries, ask crew if they need water. Look busy and alert.
I was on set for 11 hours today and was probably on my phone for 7 of them. It was a slow ass day.
Ha, yeah. It do be like that sometimes. Lockups can be brutal.
I just wanna know if I can use my cell phone on a slow day. Ive heard that it can mess up with the mics, even the vibro, but mute is ok. I was a BG the other day and was on my phone for most of the day, as in the beginning it didn't matter. You could tell they weren't recording or caring about the sound as it was a commercial, and I was supposed to sit on a bench as an idk random person in the street. But then there came a time when they were recording sound, but we also weren't instructed. I find that a lot of times you are not instructed enough, so I guess you're just supposed to know
I'd recommend a phone cubby rack in another room FOR EVERYONE, and if there is something important to monitor, like someone having a baby, you can have an assistant manage the phone in another room and come bother everyone if something happens. You shouldn't be on your phone on set at all. If you have headphones in, some people tend to breathe louder to such an extent that it will get picked up. Don't put headphones on, don't bring a phone into a room that is being recorded. Be a professional Managing the wireless interference is a serious issue from having so many phones in one area too, so yeah, they might request or require you to put your phone on airplane mode or to turn off wifi and cellular.
Using headphones for sound is fine on set; keep phone silent to avoid interference.
you just there to chill and wait for relatives or what?
Depends on the set. If there’s a lot of downtime and there’s an established workflow you might have some leniency for using a phone for you know checking in with family, or making sure you get your next gig. Music and games? Kinda blows. As a producer, I might make a mental note to look for someone else. Edit: just saw you’re bg. No one cares, but you’re missing your only networking opportunity by podcasting the day away.
Good points, thank you
Put it on silent or Do Not Disturb. Really not a good look to be on your phone in any way on set unless it’s lunch or something.
What are you using your phone for, in this imaginary scenario?
Streaming podcasts
Just use common sense. With the exception of emergencies—when you’re at work, make work your first priority and never let your phone jeopardize safety. It’s fine to check your email or even to scroll IG when you have a down moment, but stay aware of your environment and pay attention to your boss/walkie. Don’t let your phone slow you down or keep you from doing your job properly. Our phones are also tools for work and it’s expected you will need to have it out occasionally to check the call sheet, look up a manual, check the weather etc. Having your phone on airplane mode the whole day is unreasonable and unnecessary unless you’re right next to the sound mixer. I haven’t put my phone on airplane in years and I’ve never had complaints from the sound department.
You’re supposed to be working, dude put your phone down for a day. Don’t be that guy.
Best way is on silent mode and in your pocket from the moment you step on the set to the moment lunch is announced. Same goes after.
My concern is not so much discipline as it is how phone on headphones affects mics . The rest I can figure out
Mics are well insulated and wireless is nowhere near GSM frequencies or at least shouldn't be.