Pop Shield

Just spent twelve hot, long but fascinating hours babysitting a film crew recording a fictitious radio session for a feature film. I understood one of my jobs was to help consult on authenticity, but it soon became apparent that I was taking it all far too literally… “But why would you want the groupies to be wearing headphones in the control room instead of listening via the lovely loudspeakers?” I ask the director. “Artistic licence” he replies. “Oh I get it – you want it like the Helifex adverts!” I reply, with a wink.

If you are lucky enough to be one of the few people who have not already had to put up with my technical critique of Helifex ‘radio station’ advert authenticity, it runs roughly like this….

1.  No power to the console.
2. “Presenter” off-mic.
3. “Presenter” talking into the end of what appears to be a side-fire microphone.
4. Microphones not plugged into mic inputs of mixing desk.
5. Lack of parity between heard sound and fader movements.
6. No need for cubicle staff to wear DT100s to hear output.

Anyway, I had my come-uppance for being such a complete anorak.  I ended up with a minor acting part – wearing headphones in the cubicle no less!