Beneath the Boom Pole by Patrushkha Mierzwa

Beneath the Boom Pole offers insight into the physical, mental, technical, and social skills necessary to be a performance artist, which all boom operators are. Like Behind the Sound Cart, this is not just a book; it’s a film course. With the advancement of technology, enhanced camera movements, and long takes, the boom operator needs proven strategies for doing excellent work while staying safe.

Patrushkha Mierzwa, one of the first female boom operators in Hollywood, has worked on over 80 movies and television projects for major directors including Robert Rodriquez, Quentin Tarantino, James Gray, and Robert Altman. She has been a judge for the Emmys, an IATSE Sound Local 695 director, and given workshops globally over her long career in the industry. Her sound Oscar-nominated movies include Ad Astra and Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood.

"You have explaoined a very complicated job with clarity anda touch of humor...a massively impressive book that I will recommend to established boom ops and newcomers."

— Simon Paul Hornett

"Everything here is so compact, so infomative and engaging. Overall, it is a great book!! WELL DONE!!"
—Aaron "Cujo" Cooley