Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Armando Salas, ASC Relies on FreeSpeak II to Simplify On-Set Crew Communications

30/05/2023

eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({ content_source: /DesktopModules/EasyDNNNews/ChameleonGalleryService.ashx?portalid=0&tabid=123&webPSupported=false&webpimagequality=95&nested=False&artmid=519&articleid=40462, flowplayer_src: /DesktopModules/EasyDNNNews/GalleryControls/flowplayer5/flowplayer.swf, container_dimensions: { width: 1.00, height: 500, w_as_ratio: true, h_as_ratio:false, height_references_width: false }, main_panel: { display: true, fill_panel:true, stretch_small_image: true, top_left_align: false, dimensions: { width: 1, height: 400, w_as_ratio: true, h_as_ratio: false }, position: { vertical: top, horizontal: left, h_offset: 0, v_offset: 0 }, trim: { top: 0, bottom: 0, left: 0, right: 0 }, transition: { duration: 1000, effects: [ {type: slide,force_horizontal: true,force_vertical: false,directions: [left,right]}, ] } }, pagination: { display: false }, buttons: { email: { display: true , position: { vertical: top, horizontal: right, h_offset: 10, v_offset: 55 }, email_subject: Email }, download: { display: true, position: { vertical: top, horizontal: right, h_offset: 10, v_offset: 100 } } }, thumbs: { display: true, auto_hide: false, hide_speed: 250, display_item_types: true, width: 80, height: 60, captions: false, pagination: { direction: horizontal, duration: 250, easing: swing }, container: { dimensions: { width: 1, height: 100, w_as_ratio: true, h_as_ratio: false }, position: { vertical: top, horizontal: left, h_offset: 0, v_offset: 400, h_as_ratio: false, w_as_ratio: false } } }, scrollable_boxes: { item_info: { display: true, cutThumbWidth: false, cutCategoryWidth: false, container: { dimensions: { height: 65, width: 1, w_as_ratio: true, h_as_ratio: false }, resize_to_content: false, position: { vertical: bottom, horizontal: left, h_offset: 0, v_offset: 100, h_as_ratio: false, w_as_ratio: false } } }, gallery_info: { display: false, container: { dimensions: { height: 100, width: 1, h_as_ratio: false, w_as_ratio: true }, resize_to_content: false, position: { vertical: top, horizontal: left, h_offset: 0, v_offset: 0, h_as_ratio: false, w_as_ratio: false } } } }, arrows: { display: true, auto_hide: true, hide_speed: 250, prev: { position: { vertical: top, horizontal: left, h_offset: 0, v_offset: 170, v_center_point: false, v_as_ratio:false } }, next: { position: { vertical: top, horizontal: right, h_offset: 0, v_offset: 170, v_center_point: false, v_as_ratio:false } } }, autoplay: { enable: true, interval: 5000, pause_on_hover: true, indicator: { display: false } }, autoplay_toggle: { display: false }, social_buttons: { display: true, direction: vertical, load_after_effect: true, position: { vertical: top, horizontal: right, h_offset: 10, v_offset: 10 }, buttons: { facebook: { display: true, html: }, google: { display: true, html: --

Home chevron_right News & Events chevron_right News chevron_right Armando Salas, ASC Relies on FreeSpeak II to Simplify On-Set Crew Communications

Armando Salas, ASC Relies on FreeSpeak II to Simplify On-Set Crew Communications 1/18/2023

-- --

RELATED PRODUCTS

Whats NewNewsFilm & TV Production

RELATED MARKETS

Whats NewNewsFilm & TV Production

Watch Armando Salas and FSII in action on-set.

Renowned cinematographer Armando Salas ASC, known for his work on Ozark, Invasion, and most recently, The Terminal List, is a trailblazer when it comes to visual storytelling, supported by his use of innovative technologies to optimize feature and episodic production. Today, his standard for on-set and remote communications is Clear-Com 's FreeSpeak II Digital Wireless Intercom System.

With a passion for cinema that developed at an early age in Miami, Florida, the Cuban native discovered Super 8 film in his teens, which set him on the path to becoming a cinematographer. After years of shooting independent features, Armando moved to large-scale episodic projects with his work on Robert Rodriguez's From Dusk till Dawn series.

In a fast-paced and sometimes chaotic atmosphere, clear and direct communication on a set is crucial, especially when crew members are working together across great distances. Fostering an environment of efficient communication during these complex and challenging sequences is critical to saving both time and money. When you're up against the clock, as we are in episodic projects, time is always your enemy, he says. So naturally, as he began shooting again during the COVID-19 pandemic, Armando admits he was worried about communication in a world of social distancing and masking.

That's when he was introduced to Clear-Com's FreeSpeak II digital wireless intercom. An IP-based, full-duplex wireless solution, FreeSpeak II is designed for extensive and continuous communications for operations in rigorous environments.

When working together for 12 hours a day, often for months at a time, having a crew that is communicating well and on board with the technology choices is imperative to a smooth operation, Armando said. Previously, I was juggling a lot of equipment: beltpacks and earbuds for the sound feed, a walkie to reach department heads, and a single-channel HME system to communicate with my operators. It was quite cumbersome. I don't simply choose technology because it's the latest; I'm always evaluating what we do and how we can improve it. FreeSpeak II has simplified our set-up and been a game-changer for our on-set communications.

As Director of Photography, Armando is responsible for many aspects of the look and feel of a show. Fundamental to his role is being able to communicate with all connected departments on set while also being available to the director to discuss creative direction. Previously, this was accomplished by face-to-face interactions or one-way comms tools and walkie-talkies. During production, I
LINK: https://www.clearcom.com/News-Events/Details/armando-salas-asc-relies-...
See more stories from clearcom

Europe Stories

05/01/2027

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be demoed at CES 2026

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...

07/10/2026

Dalet Flex LTS Delivers Smarter Media Operations from Ingest to Distribution

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...

06/09/2026

Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Germany with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos

June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...

04/08/2026

Dalet Announces Commercial Availability of Dalia, Bringing Media-Aware Agentic AI to Enterprise Productions

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...

14/07/2026

Avalanche Tones debut with Chainsaw Suite

Plug-ins for heavy music Avalanche Tones is the brainchild of Ava Toton, a 17-year-old musician and developer who says her goal is to make the lives of gui...

14/07/2026

IK Multimedia introduce ReSing Voices Brazilian Pack

Launched alongside new Singer Showcase purchase model IK Multimedia's innovative vocal-synthesis software has just gained its latest voice add-on, the R...

14/07/2026

MIDI Innovations Awards 2026

Registration open until 1 September 2026 The MIDI Association have revealed that the registration deadline for this year's MIDI Innovation Awards has no...

14/07/2026

Launchkey MK4 88 joins Novation line-up

88-note model completes MK4 range Novation have just introduced the final model in their flagship MIDI controller keyboard range, the Launchkey MK4 88. Roun...

14/07/2026

First look revealed for Friday the 13th prequel, Crystal Lake, from A24 coming to Sky and NOW in the UK and Ireland this October

Tuesday 14 July 2026 First look revealed for Friday the 13th prequel, Crystal ...

14/07/2026

Surround Is Still the Standard

When immersive audio dominates industry headlines, it's easy to assume that every broadcaster is preparing for an Atmos future. The reality is quite differ...

14/07/2026

Fresh Thinking from MAD//Fest London 2026

Emma and Sophie from ICG's marketing team joined thousands of fellow marketers, brands and agencies at MAD//Fest London 2026, one of the UK's biggest ma...

14/07/2026

How Merchants Can Prepare for the Next Evolution in Digital Commerce

Pilot Project Shows How Retailers Are Prepared for the Next Step in the Evolution of Digital Commerce Arvato Systems Drives Agentic Commerce Forward G terslo...

14/07/2026

Building a more sustainable future - Our commitment to climate action

As part of this commitment, weve joined the SME Climate Hub, publicly pledging to: measure our greenhouse gas emissions reduce them in line with a net zero p...

13/07/2026

Techivation release M-Compressor 2

Adds new intelligent Mix Assistant feature With their product range now featuring numerous processors across two distinct line-ups, the M-Series and T-Serie...

13/07/2026

Avalanche Tones release Chainsaw Suite

Plug-ins for heavy music Avalanche Tones is the brainchild of Ava Toton, a 17-year-old musician and developer who says her goal is to make the lives of gui...

13/07/2026

Gamechanger Audio launch the Plus Pedal II

Popular sustain effect overhauled Latvia-based innovators Gamechanger Audio have just launched a new and improved version of their popular sustainer unit. B...

13/07/2026

20 Years On the Pitch Together

Celebrating Two Decades of ICG and League Football Education This year marks 20 years of working with League Football Education (LFE) the charity responsible ...

13/07/2026

Silver for Arvato Systems at the 2026 Service Provider Award

Silver for Arvato Systems at the 2026 Service Provider Award Award in the AI as a Service Provider category recognizes AI expertise and innovative strength ...

13/07/2026

RT News Appoints Joe Mag Raollaigh as new Managing Editor of Nuacht

RT News is pleased to announce the appointment of Joe Mag Raollaigh as the new Managing Editor of Nuacht, the Irish Language News and Current Affairs service a...

12/07/2026

Korg NTS-4: DIY analogue performance mixer

Offers six-channels and built-in effects Korg's latest release introduces a new analogue mixer that's been designed to act as a hub for live electro...

11/07/2026

Handcrafted Mallets from Handcrafted Audio

Promises a vividness and depth rarely found in software Switzerland-based Handcrafted Audio's latest creation is an interesting hybrid instrument that...

10/07/2026

AES Show Nashville: Early Bird registration opens

Discounted rates available through 27 August 2026 The Audio Engineering Society (AES) have announced that Early Bird registration is now open for the AES Sh...

10/07/2026

Sony introduce the IER-M500

New in-ear monitors to launch in August 2026 Sony have announced the upcoming launch of a new pair of in-ear monitors that promise to deliver a secure, stab...

10/07/2026

New RT documentary explores Irish-led efforts to build bridges

New RT documentary explores Irish-led efforts to build bridges in divided Cyprus More than a Game: From D1 to Pyla airs Monday 13 July More Than a Game: Fro...

09/07/2026

Universal Audio Black Box HG-2 & elysia karacter

Latest analogue-emulation plug-ins revealed Universal Audio have just added two new analogue-emulation plug-ins to their DSP-powered UAD line-up. Developed ...

09/07/2026

Neumann launch U 47 FET Bon Scott Edition

Limited-edition mic celebrates rock icon Neumann have partnered with the Bon Scott Estate to create a limited-edition version of the U 47 FET that honours b...

09/07/2026

Plugin Station: Plug-in management software

Handles organisation, updates, troubleshooting & more Created by pro-audio software developer Julian Worden, Plugin Station from Julian Michael Technologies...

09/07/2026

LANDR expand Fair Trade AI programme

Introduces new $1 million advance programme LANDR have just announced the next phase of their Fair Trade AI programme, a pioneering opt-in music-licensing p...

09/07/2026

Spitfire Audio expand low-cost Originals range

Four new titles now available Spitfire Audio have just introduced four new titles in their Originals range, bringing the total count of libraries in the low...

09/07/2026

The Search for Leah Croucher: A Parent's Nightmare for U and U&W

Years in the making, this intimate documentary draws on rare access to Leah Crouchers family to tell the story behind one of Britains most high-profile missing ...

09/07/2026

Enjoy Gigafast speeds and Ultimate TV pack for less

Thursday 9 July 2026 Enjoy Gigafast speeds and Ultimate TV pack for less The latest deals have dropped from Sky TV and Sky Broadband, the award-winning provid...

09/07/2026

Local campaigns with impact

Hands up who would like to dress up as a giant crisp packet? The call that went out across the agency as our anti-litter campaign, Wish you weren't here fo...

08/07/2026

Universal Audio introduce Black Box HG-2 & elysia karacter

Latest analogue-emulation plug-ins revealed Universal Audio have just added two new analogue-emulation plug-ins to their DSP-powered UAD line-up. Developed ...

08/07/2026

Pitch Innovations release Loop2Kit

Turn any audio loop into a playable kit Pitch Innovations have recently introduced an interesting new tool that's capable of creating playable kits from...

08/07/2026

MonkeyC update Rando sampler plug-in

Adds new keyboard-split function MonkeyC have recently launched an update that overhauls their powerful software sampler. Described as the sampler that mad...

08/07/2026

Strymon unveil the TimeLine MX

Four new delay algorithms & dual-engine functionality Strymon have just announced that the much-anticipated MX version of their hugely popular delay pedal i...

08/07/2026

Rohde & Schwarz and China Mobile Research Institute jointly demonstrate generative AI user experience testing

Rohde & Schwarz and China Mobile Research Institute jointly demonstrate generati...

08/07/2026

Hong Kong Jockey Club Expands Intercom Infrastructure With Riedel Artist-1024 and 1200 Series SmartPanels

Wuppertal July 8, 2026 Hong Kong Jockey Club Expands Intercom Infrastructure W...

08/07/2026

RT to air award-winning documentary TESTIMONY

Film follows the courageous fight for justice by survivors of Ireland's Magdalene Laundries & Mother and Baby Homes TESTIMONY airs Wednesday 22 July at 9...

07/07/2026

Open call: Apply for the Media Innovation Europe Validation Booster

Applications are now open for the Validation Booster, a six-month acceleration programme supporting journalists, media organisations, content creators, media in...

07/07/2026

Mix Buddy instrument mixer from Heritage Audio

New mixer aimed squarely at instrument-level sources Heritage Audio have clearly been busy recently, as alongside their all-new Tubestrip, they've also ...

07/07/2026

Heritage Audio unveil the Tubestrip

New channel strip combines popular hardware designs The latest arrival to the Heritage Audio line-up brings together a selection of their praised hardware d...

07/07/2026

Clear-Com Powers Ross Production Services Mobile Productions

eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({ content_source:......

07/07/2026

SES Space & Defense Wins BPA to Deliver Flexible Satellite Connections

Reston, Va., July 7, 2026 - SES's wholly-owned subsidiary, SES Space & Defense, won a five-year Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) with the U.S. Space Force&#...

07/07/2026

Toby Regbo, Harry Gilby and Jessica Barden lead cast for The Cadburys - the true story of the Cadbury family - with filming now underway in Birmingham

UKTV commission with BritBox and Sony Pictures Television and inspired by Deborah Cadbury's book, Chocolate Wars The six-part series is produced by Fable P...

07/07/2026

Record audiences tune into the ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2026 on Sky Sports

Tuesday 7 July 2026 Record audiences tune into the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 on Sky Sports The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 was the most watche...

07/07/2026

Official trailer released for Fightland, a revenge drama from executive producer Curtis 50 Cent Jackson coming August to Sky and NOW

Tuesday 7 July 2026 Official trailer released for Fightland, a revenge drama fr...

07/07/2026

Riedel and ARRI Bring Cinematic Live Production to the Eurovision Song Contest

Wuppertal July 7, 2026 Riedel and ARRI Bring Cinematic Live Production to the Eurovision Song ContestRiedel Communications and ARRI played a key role in one o...

07/07/2026

Patrick Kielty in The Late Late Chair until 2028

To Whom It Concerns RT today confirmed that Patrick Kielty is to extend his contract as host of The Late Late Show. Last season, the world's longest-runn...

06/07/2026

Synth Anthology 5 From UVI

Bundle gains 100 new synths & more Synth Anthology 5 the largest and most feature-packed edition of UVI's hardware synth emulation bundle, bringing toge...