Richard,

I completely understood your analogy, and I was just pointing out why I felt it accurately supported my opinion on this thread.

It seems that we do not agree on a lot of things.  That's ok.  But I am upset by the fact that you constantly call out my lack of experience, or "ability" in this case, when our opinions differ.  That's what I find offensive and uncalled for.  Often my experiences and opinions match that of many others here on the forum who also disagree with you, but you are careful not to attack them.

I may disagree with you, but I never attack you.  I just ask for that same courtesy.  And I will continue to respond to your posts if I think my opinions or limited experience will benefit other members.  If you want to ask the opinions of just the most experienced mixers, then send them an email.

Back to the topic.  On set I have an 8 channel mixer and an 8 channel recorder (with mix back-up recorder).  I have 6 receivers which live on my cart and 6 SM transmitters for actors.  I have 2 wireless boom UM400 setups.  If I need to, I can pull out 2 411 receivers to have 8 wireless channels.  I have 8 good lavs plus the ones that came with the SMs.  I have 14 Comteks + 2 for PL.  This is what I provide, but rarely use all at once.  It fits easily on my 2 small carts, and I am comfortable including this as my "standard" package.  If I don't like the rental, I don't do the job.  I will not show up with less, or charge extra for gear I am carrying anyway.  It's just not what I do.  But, as I said before, if I am TOLD I must wire everyone all the time, etc., then I would ask for more money to cover the extra gear if there are lots of talkers (more than 6) all the time.


Robert

J'ai fini = I am finished (I really am this time)

Why the hell can't someone charge for backup gear?

I certainly don't want to discourage anyone or come between an enterprising mixer and a proper income.

I meant only that backup gear is a difficult sale to make. We're having difficulty here getting reasonable money for the gear that's regularly on the cart and working every day.

David

I like the work they do there

Me too, a good bunch indeed!  That's why we've hired so many of their fine employees :).

one of my friends directed Season 2...what a nightmare.  I am glad I was already booked.

Trying to release people who are caught doing something illegal (and usually too drunk to understand) is nearly impossible.

No, it just takes the right kind of person.  On DEA season 2 the supervising producer was in charge of that and often got people to sign after they were just busted for some sort of drug charge.  I believe he even got a "John" to sign one when we served a warrant on some crack-whore ( using for lack of a better term).  This woman was disgusting and any man (high or not) would not want anyone to know that he was "hittin' that".

Articulated boompole for sale from K-Tek : KA-113CCR Excellent condition make an offer. http://www.mklemme.com/pole/ka113ccr.htm

So I think a lot of people carry more wireless than they expect they'll need just to avoid this scenario.  I think if we were regularly working in a way where we were being asked to wire eight, ten, twelve actors at a time (!) and do wireless booms on top of that, extra payment is merited.  I just think we need to define whether or not people who BRING twelve, fourteen, sixteen wireless to set but only use six at a time should fall into the same boat with people who might be using a larger number on a regular basis.

Well, as I recall my original posts, I maintained that one couldn't really charge for back up gear. But, I also said that going on expedition to Antarctica where one might need multiples of everything would be an exception to that rule.

I guess NYC qualifies as Antarctica.

Seriously, I am referring to how many radios (and IFB units, etc.) ought to comprise a standard package of gear. If multiples are needed to accomplish reliable operation, then that ought to be factored in. But, I don't think one need to make provision for a number the provides absolute guarantee of unhindered operation.

One is never going to be able to arrive at a particular number that equally suits all situations and all markets.

Voltaire once said that the "better is the enemy of the good."
(Le mieux est l'ennemi du bien.)

He meant by this that seeking perfect solutions sometimes gets in the way of accomplishing good solutions. Let's not fall into that trap. A standard most of us can agree upon is better than no standard. And we all may agree that there are circumstances where standards cannot apply.

David

Robert,
 
You missed my point completely in my chef analogy, apparently your "ability" to agree to any point I try to make is never going to be there, so please don't respond to any posts I make, we can all just assume you disagree with any comment I make.
 
Unbelieveable,
 
RVD
 
PS - I lack the ability to speak French if that is the language your final comment is made in.

BTW, I enjoy this thread and the comments by all. Thanks.
CrewC

I have a question. If all gear or radio mics were ala carte in TV n Film like they are in commercials, how many would one carry? More than 6, 8, 10? My recorder is able to record 8 tracks, my back up recorder 4. My mixer has 8 channels..... At some point it seems a certain# of radios n tracks needs to be the domain of a mixer and if more than that maybe another mixer and crew may be in order. Just asking. I have recorded 14 tracks for 2 cameras. I can't say I was mixing much that day, mostly tracking.
CrewC