Microphones in shots? Blame the projectionist!

Rating: 6/10 (28 November 2007)

As someone who works on movie and TV productions, on the set, often in the sound department, I can safely say that the reason "montre-1" saw mics in so many shots was due to the projectionist. He or she failed to position the film correctly, so that the frame was matted properly. During production, there is a "safe" zone outside the intended frame, and it acts as a buffer of sorts, or a warning zone for the camera operator. He or she can see if a microphone (or lights, or other crew people, etc.) is close to the "real" frame.
The fact that you saw mics in the shots of the trailers shown before the movie further illustrates how the projectionist was not doing his/her job properly. Believe me, this is how films have been made and shown for a very long time, so don't blame the technicians.