Set Design and Construction: Recreating a WWII German Microphone

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Recreating a WWII German Microphone

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Set Design and Construction
Forum Discription: Post your questions or suggestions about designing or building a set here.
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4411
Printed Date: 5/19/24 at 11:06am
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Topic: Recreating a WWII German Microphone

Posted By: WWII Filmmaker
Subject: Recreating a WWII German Microphone
Date Posted: 1/10/10 at 12:37pm

Hi Gang

As I continue with set ideas for this Axis Sally scene, I'd like to tackle a recreation of a Telefunken Cmv3-4, (also known as the Hitler Microphone).

I'm thinking of carefully cutting down a pasta container, using wood for it's square base, and perhaps an old Astatic JT30 microphone for the Mic Head.

See the photos;

http://www.locationstudio.net/GoebelsNeuman.jpg - http://www.locationstudio.net/GoebelsNeuman.jpg

http://www.locationstudio.net/HitlerNeuman.jpg - http://www.locationstudio.net/HitlerNeuman.jpg

http://www.locationstudio.net/ela_m14.jpg - http://www.locationstudio.net/ela_m14.jpg

http://www.locationstudio.net/MicHeadCombo.jpg - http://www.locationstudio.net/MicHeadCombo.jpg

We're not talking about an 'EXACT' replica, something close will work. Darker lighting, shadows, and the right camera angles will help.

BTW, these Mics., (f you can find them), start around $3,000. They are Tube Microphones, (still in production today). Ouch

Thanks for any ideas you might have. Wink

See my other post about constructing a fake wall.

Here's a 3 minute Trailer;
http://vimeo.com/7340608 - http://vimeo.com/7340608

Mike

Replies:

Posted By: Spectrum
Date Posted: 1/10/10 at 1:58pm

I think your idea might work fairly well, although I would be inclined to use PVC irrigation pipe (maybe 2 1/2 or 3 inch diameter) for the tube. It would give the whole thing more 'heft' and make it sturdier.

Unlike so many period microphones of the '30s and '40s, these look like they'd be relatively easy (and not too expensive) to create a decent mock up. Good luck with your whole project. What I've seen so far is very well done.

-------------
Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.

Posted By: Mr. Lowell
Date Posted: 1/15/10 at 2:13pm

If I were to cobble this together myself, what comes to mind is a Pringles can or piece of carpet tube for the pedestal with an old Schwinn bicycle headlight on top as the microphone...spray painted gray.

But then again, I do theatre, where the audience is 30 feet away. Film involves so much more detail....

-------------
Mr. Lowell,
Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director,
for the Linda Sloan Theatre,
in the Davison Center for the Arts,
at Greensboro Day School

Posted By: Mr. Lowell
Date Posted: 2/13/10 at 3:42pm

Hi Mike. Any update on your microphone project? -Dana

-------------
Mr. Lowell,
Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director,
for the Linda Sloan Theatre,
in the Davison Center for the Arts,
at Greensboro Day School

Posted By: WWII Filmmaker
Date Posted: 2/13/10 at 4:37pm

Hi Dana

Thanks for asking :)

Well, long story short, I actually an offer to barrow a REAL vintage Telefunken CMV3, (just like the so-called Hitler Mic), from Telefunken USA in Connecticut.

In fact all of their equipment was owned by the German Propaganda Ministry. So you can't do much better than that. I have to drive up from Philly to pick up the stuff.

The other details are that I cannot duplicate/recreate, nor obtain the following old WWII Era Acoustical tiles;
www.locationstudio.net/OldTile.jpg
www.locationstudio.net/OldTile2.jpg
www.locationstudio.net/OldTile3.jpg
www.locationstudio.net/OldTile4.jpg

I've abandoned the whole idea, and just re-painted a wall and ceiling in my basement and will work around the original concept/idea.

Thanx again for asking :)
Mike
vimeo.com/7340608

Posted By: startingout
Date Posted: 2/22/10 at 2:39pm

I have made a micphone head using Pink foam 2inch 1.5inches

YOu can carve it and sand it smooth

Paint it with latex pain first and then paint with spray paint

you have to with latex first because the spray will melt it

I have glue pieces togeher with power grab chak (Latex chak) for bigger pieces

I put a wireless mic in the one that i made

Good luck

Startingout

Posted By: TimmyP1955
Date Posted: 3/07/10 at 7:43pm

The head of the pictured mic looks rather like a Shure Green Bullet (and perhaps an old Turner).