Quiet on Set! (Please): The Radio That Keeps Australian Film Shoots Ticking
A film set is a place of controlled chaos. It’s a finely tuned machine with a hundred moving parts—camera, lighting, talent, art department, grips, locations—all being conducted by the steady hand of the 1st AD. From a high-end TVC shoot in a Melbourne laneway to a feature film in the vastness of the outback, the goal is always the same: to get the perfect shot.
But the entire, expensive operation hinges on one surprisingly simple thing: clear, instant communication. A missed cue, a garbled message, a battery dying at the worst possible moment—these are the tiny cracks that can fracture a shooting day, costing precious time and money.
We’re constantly outfitting film crews of all sizes and when a production manager asks us for our most dependable, no-fuss radio solution, the answer is always the same: the Motorola DP2600. It’s not the newest or flashiest piece of kit, but it is, without a doubt, the workhorse of the Australian film industry.
Why "Good Enough" Isn't Good Enough on Set
A film shoot is one of the most demanding environments for any piece of technology. Consumer-grade radios or mobile phones simply don't cut it, and here’s why:
The Noise: Between generators, wind machines, crew chatter, and city noise, a set is loud. Audio needs to be powerful enough to be heard, but clear enough to be understood.
The "Oops" Factor: Gear gets dropped. It gets rained on. It gets knocked off a camera cart. A radio on a film set needs to be tough enough to handle the inevitable bumps and bruises of life on location.
The "Right Now" Factor: When the 1st AD calls “rolling,” they need to know the unit base has locked down the location instantly. There’s no time to wait for a phone to ring. Communication must be immediate.
Enter the Workhorse: The Motorola DP2600
This is where the DP2600 has earned its legendary status. It’s not designed to be delicate; it’s designed to solve problems and withstand the rigours of a long shooting schedule.
It’s Built Like a Tank: Engineered to survive drops, downpours, and dust-filled locations, the DP2600 is relentlessly reliable. For production managers, that durability means one thing: no costly downtime.
It Cuts Through the Noise: The audio clarity is exceptional. A quiet direction from the director can be relayed to the gaffer with perfect clarity, even with a generator humming nearby. The ‘Intelligent Audio’ feature, which automatically adjusts the volume to compensate for background noise, is a lifesaver on location.
It’s Deceptively Simple: On a chaotic set, nobody has time for complicated tech. The DP2600 has a clear, backlit display to see your channel, and large, tactile buttons that a crew member can easily use with gloves on. It’s pure function, no fuss.
The Battery Lasts All Day (and Night): Film days are notoriously long. The DP2600’s battery life is more than capable of lasting a full 12-hour+ shooting day and well into overtime, which is one less thing for the production team to worry about.
Beyond the Handset: The Roar Radios Difference
Providing the right radio is only half the job. A smooth shoot requires a solid comms plan. We work with productions to program dedicated channels for each department—ADs, Camera, Lighting, Art Dept, Unit, and so on—to ensure conversations aren't being talked over. Furthermore, equipping the crew with the right accessories, like noise-cancelling headsets for camera operators and discreet surveillance earpieces for the AD team, makes a world of difference.
In the end, the DP2600 isn't the most glamorous piece of equipment on a film set. It’s not the 8K camera or the anamorphic lens. But like the best gaffer or most reliable grip, it’s the unsung hero that does its job perfectly, every single time.
A smooth shoot is all about trust—in your crew and in your gear. We’re proud to provide equipment that earns that trust, take after take.
