Borrison is always on the lookout for technologies that will save time and limit the amount of hardware he and his crew deploy each day, and Clear-Com’s two-wire LQ-2W2 in concert with Agent-IC can do it all.

“We’ve been looking for a solution like this for a long time and I’ve now used it on various productions and we’re loving it,” Borrison says. “The system saves us time and money, reduces overall infrastructure, allows for remote workflows, guarantees the safety of onset team members and much more.”

“In the old way of doing things, you’d have to set up antennas and a base station and once you went out of range you’d be disconnected from the group,” Borrison explains. “Because Agent-IC can connect 3G, 4G, LTE and WiFi and is Bluetooth compatible I can just use my AirPods. I’m always wearing them anyway to take calls, so being able to do that and stay connected to the production is amazing, and it eliminates the need for belt packs and switching between headsets to talk with different departments. It’s a total gamechanger for the way we work and communicate.”

Not only does Agent-IC reduce overall infrastructure but being able to use one’s own wearable device has also been advantageous with COVID safety protocols. “Right now, we’re wearing face shields and masks, so it’s even more difficult to wear multiple devices,” he says. “And the fact that people can avoid constantly handling other, shared devices is huge for safety.”

LQ Series devices provide Agent-IC users remote intercom access and control of the primary intercom system over wireless networks, meaning the Agent-IC user can be located anywhere in the world where there is a network connection to LQ.

“Regardless of the individual’s location, I have the app set up so I can speak to each of the departments I need to, but each of them can be on their own channel so they can talk to their own team without disrupting other departments. And again, because it works over IP, the range is unlimited.”

An LQ and Agent-IC system configuration helps overcome communication barriers and enhances how agile and responsive everyone can be when adapting to evolving needs on set. Whether that’s speeding up the process of switching out equipment on a shoot, pre-rigging far-flung locations, or making immediate changes to how a scene is shot. Beyond that, dedicated jacks on the LQ-2W2 for wired intercom make it possible to integrate with an existing partyline system or to other existing devices over IP, such as Clear-Com’s Eclipse HX Digital Matrix.