Ian

NAME:	Ian Robert Thomson
AGE:	27
ADDRESS:	Not telling, but it's in Brisbane, Australia
PHONE:	Australia 0414 468 413 International +61 414 468 413
PROFESSION:	Boom Operator, and Children's Ski Instructor
SEX:	Male.
HEIGHT:	6ft (183cm)
WEIGHT:	around 71 Kg (I say around 'cause it seems to depend on whether I've worked in the last few days, and how much I've eaten.)
INTERESTS:	Film production, Snow sports, reading, writing, Inline skating, etc, etc, etc
NICKNAME:	Used to be "Thomp" in primary school (when people wanted to tease me), which really pissed me off - seeing as there's no "P" in Thomson. It became "een" for a while, then D.A. (for my tendancy to be a devil's advocate), and recently my friends have been calling me Skiin' Ian (for work purposes of course). I was most recently called "fluffy" by a director on a TVC while working with children, on account of the "fluffy" microphone in my hands... it had a lasting impact. UPDATE - I guess you can add "eewee" as in "eewee the boomie" one of the lead actors in All my Friends are leaving Brisbane, started the new nick-name off, and it spread like a wild-fire.

D.A.> well no, I was kind of hoping that I could ask you 20 real questions, no stuffing around. Would that be ok?

IAN> that's easy, when I was born, caesarean; I was quite premature; they placed me into a humidicrib, to assist with my breathing etc; anyhoo, the machine was too powerful for my little body to handle, and it blew a hole in my lungs; I died, and they revived me. I still have the scar.

(Ian lifts his shirt to reveal a 3 inch long scar over the right side of his chest)

D.A.> how long have you been booming for? Do you enjoy it? What do you hope to achieve?

IAN> I've been Boom Operating since mid 1999, with a year off, working around Canada. I enjoy it very much, and I hope one day to rub shoulders with the best this industry has to offer.

D.A.> what specifically about working in the production sound department appeals to you?

IAN> I'd have to say I just enjoy being on set; watching the entire process of production happen around me. being close to the camera, director, actors, right there in the action - or being folded up like a pretzel under a table, or lit off the set and having to boom over lights/people/walls; it's all good. I enjoy the physical and mental challenges that dynamic microphone placement presents. Avoiding/minimising shadows, trying to get the best possible sound, whilst juggling many factors. Plus I get to hold a big pole over people's heads all day, so watch out.

IAN> ummm, have a read of the article; 'the top ten sins of the boom operator'. my sound recordist suggested it the other day, and I'll reveal all there.

D.A.> right... let's move on to your other passion, Ski Instructing. How long? Why? and give us a quirky story.

IAN> ok. I started in 2000, in whistler B.C. Canada. Really enjoyed the challenge. There's just this look that you receive from your student at some stage, when what you're trying to teach clicks... and they get it. I really dig that look; I used to see it when I was teaching in-line skating; it's one of the best feelings, when you know that they have learnt something, and it's helped them have more fun.

As for a quirky story, I'll have to direct you to another section of the site, still under construction, where I'll be posting several of the e-mails that I sent from Whistler - some of those have really quirky, awesome stories.

IAN> I know the answer to this one. I got really depressed several weeks ago - I can't remember why now, it happens from time to time. Anyway I just sat and typed this document for like 6 hours straight, whatever was on my mind. And within the 1500 or-so-words that I spewed forth, there was this:

'Happiness is: endorphins, caffeine, a smile, cool clouds, warmth, sugar, seeing happiness in others, random acts of nature revealing themselves to me at the most inappropriate times, moving without moving your limbs (skiing and skating), sunsets, finishing a challenge, mental stimulation, physical stimulation, sleeping, dreams, friendship, pain, love, a light breeze on a brisk day, powder snow, the sound of a coke bottle opening, running till you can't even breathe, absolute exhaustion, naval gazing, asking why?, there are many more that I can't think of right now, but there's lot's to be happy about.'

So whenever I get a little down and depressed - which is fairly often; I just re-read the paragraph, and I do genuinely feel better.

IAN> well, I'm really quite insecure about myself, I look for validation in others, and sometimes things start to build up which can eventually overwhelm even the most balanced of human beings. It's just life really.

IAN> that's tough, I don't really idolise people anymore. I used to when I was much younger - but I guess that's just natural. I do admire many people for what they have achieved and how they live their lives.

IAN> well if I told you, then they'd all get big heads and then I couldn't admire them anymore.

D.A.> alright... rapid fire time, you must answer with the least amount of thought, ready?

IAN> 'spirituality for dummies' - a friend lent it to me, and I'm really enjoying it.

IAN> several months ago now, I was visiting some friends on the Gold Coast, and I went for a dip.

IAN> too many, ummm, 2 pair boots, 1 set of runners, a pair of ski boots, a pair of galoshes, 1 pair of cross trainers, 2 sets of in-line skates, a pair of reef walkers, some fake wool ugg boots - I think I'm up to 10.