How To Hide A Lav Mic

When using a lavalier mic on film shoots, you probably don’t want them visible by the cameras. In interviews, and on broadcast news shows it is tolerable because it is known that they are miked. In film though, it can take you out of the scene and is not part of the setting or wardrobe and does not help tell the story.

So when you want to use a lav to supplement the shotgun audio there are many issues that can occur such as visibility, clothing rustling against the mic, and talent’s comfort level. There are many ways to approach these issues.

To keep the mic invisible hide it either under the shirt of the actor, under the collar if they have a collared shirt, or running up the back of their shirt and under their hair provided their hair is long enough.

Tackling clothing rustling and talent’s comfort level can be one in the same. In order to combat rustling, use mole skin around the mic and the that to the talent’s wardrobe or skin. Do not be awkard or uncomfortable when miking an actor, but don’t be too comfortable either. Just because you have done this hundreds of times with actors who have also done this hundreds of times, doesn’t mean everyone is used to getting their clothes ripped off just to put a mic on. It helps to get the actor’s name and tell them yours and be professional. If you find out they have shot with a lav before and it is not their first production then maybe you both can move on to getting the mic on and shooting the scene.