When Silence is Golden

The first time that I worked on a television/movie set as the unit photographer, I learned one lesson real fast… Silence is Golden. Once you hear the word “Action”, noise will get you in big trouble. No matter how quiet you think your camera is in normal situations, it’s too noisy on a film set. That’s where the sound blimp comes in.

The Jacobson Sound Blimp is the industry standard. This is how they describe it on their web site:

“A housing for professional 35mm Canon and Nikon cameras which effectively eliminates the noise created by their operation. Silencing is essential in areas where extraneous noise cannot be tolerated or would prove distracting; i.e., motion picture and television sound stages, theatrical plays, surveillance, wildlife, and sporting events such as golf.”



At one time, I would rent the blimp from Samy’s Camera in Los Angeles. In Hollywood, blimps are in short supply; especially on the days that you need one. So I broke down and actually purchased one to fit my Canon cameras last year.

There are occasions where you can get by without a blimp. One situation would be on an outdoor set where you can shoot from a distance. Another would be on a set with multiple takes and scene rehearsals. I have used my pocket size Canon Powershot G9, set to the silent shutter setting with great results. But, if you plan to work regularly as a unit photographer; buy a Jacobson blimp.

These images are from a piece created by Starz to capture the impact of the Obama presidential victory… through a montage of twenty-eight celebrity interviews. Black actors came… one by one to a studio in North Hollywood to relive November 4, 2008.

Most of these sessions lasted thirty minutes… no rehearsals… really, no retakes. So, a blimp was critical. I was joined on the set by a host of celebrities… Hill Harper… Dule Hill… Regina King... Eddie Griffin… Tisha Campbell-Martin… Meagan Good… Taye Diggs... Lauren London... Columbus Short... and familiar faces behind the camera… Jasmine Simpkins, Producer… Darryl E. Smith, Camera… and Ulysses Porter Brown, Director.

If you haven’t already seen it, check out Starz - 11.4.2008: The Day of Change.

Some of the most memorable moments for me during the taping did not make the final cut. But you can only include so much in a twenty minute edit. All in all, I was moved by the final piece.

Away from the set, a blimp can also be quite useful. It really helps when photographing panel discussions where you have an intense audience. Most people are not accustomed to seeing one so prepare for lots of questions.

I plan to use it in a few weeks when I photograph the Amazing Grace Conservatory production of Sarafina for my friend Wendy Raquel Robinson.