Audio Reel Requests. Sick of them.

Doc Bernard

Doc Bernard

Indie Arms Member
So, my solution is this boilerplate response to them:

I have attached my abridged resume.

I am going to be frank with you. Asking a location sound guy for a reel is not a very good thing for these reasons:

1. Sound is one of those aspects where what is originally recorded is not what ends up on the final product. The post-sound designer/editor works his/her magic on the material given to them by the set recordist. Anyone that provides you a reel from finished product either did the post work on it, or it was an extremely low to no budget project, or is lying. If there is any type of editor involved, the raw files are not what they are using, so it's a useless request to ask a set guy for a "reel". I can show you stuff I recorded with Martin Scorsese, but it is different from the final result due to what the editor did, though originally my work. And sometimes, the location is so bad, the best a location guy can do is provide a good scratch track for the ADR session. Sometimes that is all he can do, depending on the location and the ambient noise there. But that alone can be a very valuable asset.

2. Most production companies with a bit of work under their belt realize this, and that is why they ask for references and resume, not reels. Most of us don't have reels, because they are not actually the work we do. In the end the post sound designer/editor changes/edits/manipulates our work to fit exactly what is needed. But it is not the raw files on screen.......ever. So any reel, not using raw files only shows what the post guy does with what's given to him. And sound files can be manipulated in so many ways.

If someone sends you a reel, ask who did the edits and post. And how much was done done to clean it up, EQ, add reverb, etc.

But if you still want to call me after this, I will definitely discuss the position with you and send you the numerous Letters of Recommendation I have received for my audio work from my previous clients.

Doc Bernard
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I am going to educate these start up production companies and unknowing producers. Sheesh, an audio reel for a location guy.
 
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I agree in 32 years I have never had an audio reel and it would be daft to have one, now that I do camera as well I have a few video clips on my site but they are all subjective at the end of the day.

I do seem to have a few phone calls from idiots who haven't even read my CV and constantly question my ability to do the simplest of jobs!
 
Howdy Doc. I understand your frustration... but I'd also ask, what level of project are we talking about? In the low-budget world, I've seen people pass themselves off as "audio guys" when they are fairly incompetent; and with sound being such a low priority on many projects, they are even able to provide fair numbers of references. I also see a lot of people using the term "reel" loosely, and someone might very well mean some raw audio from the set. Hearing many stories, and reading through some of the posts here, a lot of people are out there, pushing themselves as audio professionals, getting gigs, and doing terrible work without much repercussion... I'd feel more comfortable in general having some demonstration that someone I don't know can do a halfway decent job.

Hey, how about a double-soundtrack DVD with raw audio from the set on one track, and final audio on the other? Maybe with a commentary track by the postproduction folks, telling how easy it was to work with the great location sound...
 
I hear ya. Without going into a long rant:
And then it's the same nit-wits that want you to work for next to nothing.. of course you'll supply the equipment too.
 
Rick R said:
I hear ya. Without going into a long rant:
And then it's the same nit-wits that want you to work for next to nothing.. of course you'll supply the equipment too.
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...and a free subway tuna sandwich.

But seriously. Asking for raw audio tracks from production may not be possible. Many people don't archive that stuff since it's just the raw production audio and nobody who knows how to hire production sound people asks for a reel, so sound mixers don't keep production audio to make a reel. It's all about the resume and the references. A lot of times it's also about taking chances. New sound guys are risky, but that doesn't mean you won't find someone who knows what they are doing even if they are a newb. If you are a newb in terms of making a project, you are most likely going to get newb people to work with you so you can all learn together. A newb project most likely will not win you awards or money. It's a learning experience. Maybe they will learn that a sound mixer doesn't have a demo reel just as a grip doesn't have a demo reel.

In regards to the OP...I don't know if I would get so long winded about it. I would just say something like "production sound mixers don't have reels, and any one that provides you with a reel may be mis-representing their work or is desperate for work."

Look at the big guns like Jeff Wexler or Ron Judkins. There is a reason they are the big guns. They have developed relationships with directors that work with them as well as doing a great job of being a sound mixer. They don't have demo reels and never have.
 
All of the above, and could I add this thought? When you are paid to record audio on a production, that audio doesn't belong to you to distribute anywhere.
This promise of a copy of the work usually never happens anyway.
When using reel to reel tape, all rolls were turned over to production.
 
The video/film doesn't belong to the camera operators (or DP or directors, for that matter).
But that doesn't prevent private use in personal demo reels.
But them the film/video is much more directly an example of the professional's work.
 
Just FYI, my audio with Scorsese, I had special dispensation from the production company to keep a copy. For them it was also a way for me to archive a copy for them too. So it was all good.
 
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