Role: Production Sound Mixer Cast Size: Large ensemble + extras Equipment: Schoeps CMIT 5U (boom), Sennheiser G4 ME 2 lavs Festivals: Official Selection — Mammoth Film Festival, NoBudge 2023 Logline: An injured, unemployed-irresponsible father fakes having cancer to pay for his broken ceiling.

Overview I mixed production sound for this fast-paced comedy featuring a large ensemble cast, multiple vignettes, and energetic comedic beats. With so many moving parts, the audio workflow required constant adaptability and precise mixing.

Challenges & Approach For a big ensemble scene with around twenty extras, I rotated our lavaliers strategically to ensure the right performers were covered at the right moments. For actors with revealing costumes, or scenes where body mics weren’t possible, I captured clean boom-only audio using the Schoeps CMIT 5U, which delivered exceptionally clear, directional sound.

The film included several yelling and high-energy comedic moments, so real-time mixing was crucial to maintain clarity without clipping or harsh spikes. I balanced lavs and boom coverage while keeping performances natural and punchy.

Since this was a student production with multiple new sound utilities and boom ops, I also trained them throughout the shoot — teaching mic placement, boom technique, and set etiquette to keep the workflow efficient.

Outcome We delivered clean, consistent audio across a chaotic, high-energy shoot with a large cast. The film went on to screen at Mammoth Film Festival and NoBudge, with the director praising how natural and grounded the dialogue sounded despite the complexity of the scenes.