---
title: 'How to Hold a Boom Pole'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=GoUWSrrQVv0'
video_id: 'GoUWSrrQVv0'
date: 2026-09-09
duration_sec: 124
channel: 'RocketJump Film School'
---

# How to Hold a Boom Pole

> Source: [How to Hold a Boom Pole](https://youtube.com/watch?v=GoUWSrrQVv0)

## Summary

This video is a concise tutorial on the proper technique for holding a boom pole during film production. It covers the essential components of a boom setup, correct microphone positioning, and practical tips to avoid common mistakes.

### Key Points

- **Introduction to Boom Holding** [00:00] — Freddie Wong introduces the topic of holding a boom pole, noting his new haircut, and sets up the tutorial with Kevin.
- **Boom Pole Setup Components** [00:14] — The boom pole setup consists of three parts: the pole, the microphone, and the cable (not shown). The direction the microphone points is critical.
- **Microphone Positioning** [00:26] — The microphone should be positioned roughly over the actor's head, pointing down at them. This is the correct orientation for capturing dialogue.
- **Staying Out of Frame** [00:38] — Hold the pole level to the ground and parallel to the scene to stay out of the camera frame. Avoid holding it like a fishing pole, which can get in the shot.
- **Alternative Holding Positions** [00:51] — Other acceptable positions include resting the pole on your head or neck, which are okay as long as they don't look awkward.
- **Minimize Movement** [01:09] — Be efficient with boom movements to avoid noise and distraction. Constant movement can cause unwanted sounds in the recording.
- **Booming Dialogue Scenes** [01:22] — For two-character dialogue, position the boom upright between them and rotate your wrists to alternate between actors for optimal mic coverage.
- **Adjustable Pole Length** [01:34] — Extend the pole longer than needed to hold it closer to the middle, which counterweights the pole better and reduces fatigue during long shots.
- **Final Tip: Check Power** [01:48] — Always ensure the microphone power is turned on. It's obvious but a common mistake that can ruin a take.

### Conclusion

The video provides a quick, practical guide to boom pole handling, emphasizing proper positioning, minimal movement, and the importance of checking equipment settings. It's a useful primer for beginners in film production.

## Transcript

Hey guys, I'm Freddie Wong and you may have noticed something different about me. I got a haircut. So today I'm going to tell you how to hold a boom. Hey guys, I'm Kevin and I'm going to show you how to hold a boom properly.
There's typically three pieces involved in a boom pole setup. The boom pole, the microphone itself, and the cable, which is not here right now. An important thing to keep in mind is which direction the microphone is pointed.
This is usually good. This is usually not. So what you want to do is use this boom pole to get the microphone roughly over the actor's head. You're usually pointing down at them.
And you want to make sure you're staying out of the picture. So the easiest way to do this is to hold the pole pretty much level to the ground. You want to go out in this parallel line because that helps keep you out of the frame. If you hold it like a fishing pole, not only do you look like a complete perv, it will
usually get in the shot. And then there's a couple other positions that are generally okay and acceptable. You can have it over like this which is usually how you do it but you can also kind of rest on your head or on your neck without looking like a total idiot That all okay The other thing you want to keep in mind is minimize your movement Be really efficient
with how you're moving the boom. You don't want to be doing, you know, this all the time because because that'll happen. When you're booming a dialogue scene with two characters, you typically want to get the boom upright in between the two of them so you can just
Just rotate your wrists to get both actors on mic, like this. Another thing to keep in mind is your boom pole will be adjustable in length. You typically want to have the pole out longer than you actually need it, because if you're
holding for a shot and you're way down here at the end of the pole, it'll get really heavy. But if you give yourself a little more extension, you can hold the pole a little closer to the middle and it counterweights itself a little better. Thanks for watching, guys, and if all else fails, make sure the power is turned on.
It's really obvious, but it's important that someone says it anyway.