Videocrafts: It's a Grand Old Flag

The pros call them "flags" or "cubes." They're the little boxes that TV news reporters have on their microphones to identify what channel they work for. Picture a podium at a major press announcement. Usually there will be at least a dozen mikes bearing flags that represent all kinds of television and radio stations. We've all seen a reporter standing in front of the White House or cowering amidst exploding Scud missiles speaking into the mike: "This is Joe Shmoe reporting live for Channel 5." The idea behind the mike flag is simple: we already knew what channel he represented because we saw the cube on his mike.

Flags make handheld microphones look proud. I often feel bad for the poor naked mike on that crowded podium. Who's mike is that? If it's important enough for the podium, isn't it important enough for a flag? My heart goes out to the reporter who holds a barren, unidentified mike and tries to bravely pretend he's actually somebody. That little cube somehow adds credibility to the report.

If you don't have a mike flag, maybe you should. So what if you don't do news reports for Channel Five? Who cares that you're not covering high-profile press announcements at the White House? A mike flag can still add a subtle, but definite feel of credibility to the interviews you shoot with a handheld mike. All you need is a photocopy of this page and a few tools from around the home o…