Team Members

Question 1

Who is the senior most position during pre-production and production for audio? Name 5 of their responsibilities

Answer 1

Production Sound Mixer (PSM)
1. Hires/assembles sound team
2. Chooses audio equipment
3. Serves as sound recordist and balances audio (often using multiple microphones)
4. Evaluates quality of the recorded audio and asks for retakes as needed
5. Documents the correct file name of each take

Question 2

What does the Boom Op need to do to ensure they capture clean dialogue and action on scene?

Answer 2

1. Has to come to camera rehearsals and work closely with camera ops/actors so they know where to position
2. Putting mics in the right place

Question 3

Other than hold the Boom, what else should the Boom Op be doing?

Answer 3

Consistently communicate between PSM and set

Set up/take down sound equipment

Attaching/concealing mics

*If this is a low budget film, the Boom Op doubles as the Utility

Question 4

Assuming this is a pretty high budget film, what should the Sound Assistant/Utility be doing?

Answer 4

Overall Support: maintains/organizes equipment, batteries, data management

Works closely with Boom Op and may serve as a secondary boom op

Shares these responsibilities with the Boom Op:

• Attach/conceal lavalier microphones
• Setup/take down equipment

Question 5

What is the sound trainee doing and what is their nickname?

Answer 5

Gofer

Assists utility primarily with setup/takedown

Often shadows the PSM

Various bitchwork for the sound team :)

*This is more of a union position, smaller/independent films don’t need to hire these