Alleroed, Denmark (November 29, 2012)-Emmy Award-winning production sound mixer Ronan Hill employed DPA 4071 lavalier microphones to capture on-location dialogue while filming the third series of HBO’s medieval fantasy television series Game of Thrones.
“As someone who was brought up to ‘get it on the boom’ and only use radio mics when there was no other way, I have become a convert to them when used with DPA’s 4071 lavalier microphones,” says Hill. “The DPA 4071 is great when used outside. They give really good isolation from environmental conditions, while still retaining a natural vocal quality. They are also good when recording inside, as they offer reinforcement to the boom. It is a rare occasion when they aren’t included in the mix. The DPA 4071 microphones have really helped to keep ADR on Game of Thrones to a minimum and have contributed to the show receiving a Primetime Emmy for Best Sound.”
“The show is filmed in many remote and hard to get to locations-and in all kinds of weather conditions,” Hill says. “In Series One, we were shooting in temperatures of -17∫ C, while in Series Two we had to contend with a hurricane. Every day is an adventure in sound.”
Replacing poorly recorded dialogue during post production may be an intrinsic part of making a film or television program, but it certainly saves production companies time and money if ADR can be kept to a minimum. DPA’s 4071 mics became the lavalier microphone of choice on Game of Thrones at the start of Series Two, having been recommended by supervising sound editor Stefan Henrix.
“You soon appreciate how good they sound,” Hill explains. “They are available with well thought out accessories to aid fitting, and we fitted them to all cast with dialogue. Thankfully, the cast appreciate that the costumes are difficult for sound so they are tolerant to tweaks that will save the need for ADR.”
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