d:screet 4060 miniature microphones from DPA were used to capture Scarlett Johansson’s performance during the making of Lucy, a new film directed by Luc Besson.
“d:screet 4060 microphones are very small but that wasn’t the reason why I chose to use them,” Bucher said. “It was all about their audio fidelity – when it comes to sound quality DPA 4060’s are much, much better than other lavalier mics on the market.”
Bucher explained Besson’s directing style and the problems this presented: “He shoots very fast and wants the actors ready to go when they come to set. This means that you simply don’t have time to put a lavalier microphone on anyone.”
Costume designer Olivier Beriot was able to insert a white d:screet 4060 microphone into the seam of Johansson’s white T-shirt “giving us great audio but without any visibility issues,” said Bucher.
“When I started working in film and TV sound, I was using the same lavalier microphones as everyone else because I didn’t really have a choice. Now I do have a choice and I can use the best mics available for cinema sound, which happen to be DPA. I originally chose them because I was tired of going to the cinema and hearing that recognisable sound you get with other lavalier microphones. DPA’s sound is really translucent and clear – to the point where sometimes I can’t tell if I’m listening to the boom or the 4060.”
