Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1469840
With a three-person sound team, the mixer is very often not able to set focus on just that task. Talking with friend and colleague Chris Howland CAS, the central core of the conversation showed that there are three general components to the sound department. Says Chris, "There is the tech side of the job, the diplomatic part of the job, and the artistic side of the job. I'm all for letting the utility be the tech so I can focus on the diplomacy and the artistic contribution of mixing." Chris is spot on here, and with a three-person team in a busy shooting day, the mixer will not be able to fully accomplish this goal. Because of the additional workload, the mixer will rarely be able to have time to converse with a director or a DP on how a shot will be set up or evolve, or even get any idea of what is coming in the next day of work. More likely, he or she will be doing vital tech work, pushing carts, or anxiously working in reaction-only mode just to get through the next shot. None of this contributes to a happy or productive workday, none of this contributes to a happy life, and none of this contributes to anything resembling skilled craft work. Ultimately, in order to close the deal in negotiating with a producer on the need for a 4th, it is going to be critical that the mixer understands the true cost of filmmaking. In dollars, productivity, mental and physical health, and in the corporate politics of accounting-led film production. With top-tier episodic running nearly $10 million per episode, the math works out to somewhere around $1.5 million per shooting day on a 6.5 day schedule. $125k per hour, almost $21k per minute, nearly $350 per second. Hiring a 4th for a week is paid for in roughly 4-6 seconds of gained productivity. The net result is a more productive sound team, a healthier sound team, a better sound product, and a better work environment. I urge all professionals to look hard at their upcoming projects and take an honest look at how a 4th would improve the team. While it won't be practical on every shoot or at every budget level, there are far more opportunities to have a 4th than not. Transmitters... ...for every purpose USA 1-800-821-1121 In Canada, call 877-753-2876 In Europe, call +33 (0) 78558 3735 In South America, call +57 310799 4564 ®