Admit One
I got Admit One after the director saw me working sound on another set and hit me up like, “I need that energy on my film next month.” She was an early-stage director and also acting in it, so once I said yes, the whole audio side basically became my responsibility from planning to execution to post. I took the script, sat with it, and built the entire sound approach from scratch. Five locations, two days, zero room for mistakes. The shoot wasn’t perfect—equipment issues, power problems, noisy Atlanta streets, etc. but that's when you adapt, you stay calm, you make it work. What mattered most to me was making the film feel alive. Not just clean dialogue, but sound that supported the story and the emotion. Seeing it screen, hearing people react, and knowing the audio held up, that’s the payoff. This project was a turning point for me: more responsibility, more trust, and proof that I can carry an entire department when it counts.
Client
Lisa Smart
Year
2025
Services
Audio Department Head, Production Sound Mixer, Post-Audio Supervisor, Film Mix, Film Mastering
Category
Short Film
The Situation & The Goal
Context & Challenge
Independent narrative film directed by a first-time filmmaker, who was also acting in the project.
No finalized shot list at the time of onboarding; only a 16–17 page script provided.
Five-location shoot across metro Atlanta over a single weekend (Saturday–Sunday).
No dedicated audio team beyond yourself; full ownership of audio department decisions, logistics, and execution.
Limited production infrastructure and experience on the director’s side, requiring education and guidance around sound workflows.
Goal
Design and execute a complete, professional-grade production audio workflow from pre-production through post.
Capture clean, sync-ready dialogue and production sound across multiple locations and environments.
Deliver audio assets compatible with a professional post-production pipeline and screening deadline.
Process & Key Actions
Pre-Production & Planning
Translated a 16–17 page narrative script into a detailed, scene-by-scene audio plan outlining microphone strategy, coverage needs, and risk factors.
Defined audio requirements for a five-location, two-day shoot and aligned them with realistic production constraints.
Reviewed and validated the audio plan with the director to ensure clarity and buy-in.
Technical Design & Rentals
Engineered a comprehensive sound package tailored to the script and locations, including multi-lav and dual-boom coverage.
Researched, selected, and coordinated rentals across four vendors to fulfill technical needs.
Integrated timecode workflow by coordinating with the DP (ARRI Alexa Mini) and sourcing appropriate timecode cables.
Managed all logistics, including pickup, transport, insurance considerations, and returns across multiple Atlanta locations.
On-Set Execution
Served as sole audio department head, making all creative and technical decisions independently.
Mic’d up up to five actors simultaneously using lavaliers and boom microphones.
Recorded polywav files for professional post-production flexibility.
Adapted in real time to equipment failure (battery power loss), redesigning workflow around wall power and extension runs.
Problem-solved wireless limitations during exterior scenes by repositioning and re-mic’ing talent to mitigate RF issues.
Supervised a PA (Day 1) for equipment handling, mic support, and inventory management.
Post-Production Audio
Communicated early with director and editor about potential audio artifacts and environmental challenges.
Successfully delivered timecode-synced recordings, enabling smooth AAF import after picture lock.
Performed full post-audio cleanup and mix using a custom Pro Tools film template:
Dialogue organization by character
Noise reduction (traffic-heavy Atlanta locations)
Gain automation, EQ, compression, fades
Supplemental sound design to enhance realism
Mastered final audio under a tight post-production window (~6 days) for a 17:15 runtime.
Collaborated post-screening on iteration planning (ADR, tighter mix, visual refinements).
Results
Deliverables & Outcomes
Delivered a complete production and post-audio package for a multi-location narrative film.
Enabled seamless post-production sync via timecode integration.
Met a fast turnaround deadline for public screening.
Received positive audience and team feedback at screening.
Established a foundation for further polish (ADR, mix revisions) rather than corrective rescue work.
Quantifiable Highlights
5 filming locations across metro Atlanta
2-day shoot, 17:15 final runtime
4+ lavaliers and dual-boom coverage per scene when required
1 audio department, 100% sole responsibility
Personal Takeaways & Skills Gained
Skills & Growth
Full-cycle ownership of a film’s audio department (pre → production → post).
Advanced pre-production planning from script alone.
Multi-location logistics management under time pressure.
Crisis management and workflow adaptation under equipment failure.
Increased confidence in talent mic’ing and RF troubleshooting.
Stronger cross-department communication with camera and editorial.
First experience running a larger, cart-based sound setup.
First multi-day, multi-location shoot as sole Production Sound Mixer.
Highest-value production sound invoice handled to date.
Professional Development
Deepened understanding of how early audio planning directly affects post-production efficiency.
Reinforced importance of educating less-experienced directors on sound workflows.
Validated readiness for larger narrative projects with higher responsibility and budgets.