which is unheard of in a war picture. You're lucky to get 40% as a rule."
We Were Soldiers was only the second film for director Randall Wallace.
"He was such a gentleman. I must say he is probably the best director I
have ever worked with. Ever. He was so sound conscious."
The film Cooney is most proud of is the Academy Award winning
documentary The Last Days, a stirring film detailing the return of
Holocaust survivors to Auschwitz. He currently has offers for three fea-
tures in the upcoming months and is trying to decide which picture to
accept. "You either have nothing or you have three projects and you have
to turn two down. That's just the way it is in this business."
Job Overview
The boom operator is responsible for capturing the actors' dialogue by
use of the boom microphone or concealed wireless microphones.
Special Skills
Boom operating is a physically demanding job, requiring that the
person fulfilling the job be in good physical shape. Boom operators must
be strong enough to carry heavy equipment, yet agile enough to slip
between lights and other apparatus without knocking them over or
casting shadows. They must also be alert, able to memorize dialogue
quickly, and possess the ability to get along with a variety of personali-
ties. Being able to maintain a calm temperament under pressure is an
asset. Boomer operator Kevin Sorrenson says his early interest in photog-
raphy was also helpful in understanding lenses and composition.
Cable person/boom operator Bill Shotland improved his boom skills
by practicing whenever he could. "In my house, I would take the fishing
pole and practice moving through doorways and around chandeliers. On
set, when we broke for lunch, I would jump up on the fisher boom and
practice doing figure eights, or have people walk while cuing them."
Advice for Someone Seeking This Job
Look for nonunion, low budget productions where you can work for
free to gain experience using the equipment. Make connections on those
projects with people who may use you again. Volunteer to work for a
boom operator for free, so that you can get on set and observe what they
JOB TITLE: BOOM OPERATOR
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