Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1500728
Summer 2023 – LOCAL695.COM 37 my feeling that any trainees working with me should get a good lesson in preparedness, always be on the lookout for potential problems, and know what you put in is what you get out. Yisel and Chris both graduated after the show and are both established and hugely talented Utilities. If anyone hasn't worked with one of Local 695's vetted trainees, I cannot recommend it highly enough. Finally, we put together a supporting sound crew for dailies and second units that would supplement when we needed. Erik Altstadt, Scott Solan, Cole Chamberlain, and Terrell Woodard would fill those shoes admirably. I was very lucky to have them. There are a lot of hero costumes on a Star Wars set and some difficult rigs for radio mics, so during prep, Ben and I spent valuable time with the Costume Department deciding how we should rig them. At no point were we as a department deciding how to rig a mic while setting up for the scene on set—it was all decided weeks before that point. During filming, Yohannes was three scenes ahead of what we were shooting. We were prepared for every eventuality and scenario. I really don't like surprises and this forethought and planning from the whole team meant that surprises never happened. Hero costumes all had their own dedicated mic and a spare just in case. These mics were sewn into costumes, fitted in helmets and breastplates, and squeezed into body- hugging suits. The on-set dressers were amazing and hugely experienced and without whom again we couldn't have done such an amazing job. The people. It's always the people. Let's face it. Sound is dead in the water without everyone else's help; just being quiet around set, making camera rigs, dollies and props silent, working with costumes to fit radio mics, and generally giving us the time and space to do our work properly and professionally. Grip Department, Lighting, Camera, Costume, Props, Art Department, AD's, PA's, Background Artists, Puppeteers, and Visual Effects, in fact, the entire crew as a whole. We owe them all so much for their patience and understanding of the importance of great sound to a film or TV show. I cannot thank the incredible crew enough for all their understanding and that they were so willing to help us out in any way. I put this down to a great crew but also to the fact that Ben, Yohannes, Yisel, and Chris make a huge impression around the set. Their affability and presence turn this kind of collaboration into an art form. It's a marvel to see and watch. Ben & Yisel trying to keep cool Yisel, Julian, Ben, and Yohannes