Overview of the role
The assistant re-recording mixer works alongside the re-recording mixer during the audio post production of a project. Their role is to help make sure that the post sound mixing session runs smoothly and that the finished audio digital files are prepped, meeting the necessary audio specifications, and safely delivered to the next stage in the post audio process.
An assistant re-recording mixer has full responsibility to ensure that the post sound mixing stage has been ‘setup’ properly: the mixing console used, working along side the DAW (digital audio workstation), is all ready to be used by the re-recording Mixer. The assistant re-recording mixer will have full contact with the sound editors that have ‘prepped’ the audio that is to be used by the re-recording mixer to create the final audio mix for the project. The prepped audio tracks will have been uploaded to the DAW with the picture file by the assistant re-recording mixer to ensure that the audio projects runs in ‘sync’ and that there’s no ‘running’ issues.
The assistant re-recording mixer is expected to help solve any audio and / or picture file issues that might interfere with the operation of the post sound mixing, to help keep the post sound schedule on track. The assistant re-recording mixer is expected to gain knowledge from the re-recording mixer, from how to communicate and work creatively with the film makers, to delivering the finished audio and to understand the complexity of the audio deliverable.
An assistant re-recording mixer can be considered as quite a rare position, especially within a non-fiction audio team. The ARRM remit is very similar to a ‘mix tech’ position, however a ‘mix tech’ is usually associated with a particular sound facility/ theatre and won’t normally have as much creative interaction with either the re-recording mixer or their client/ filmmaker. An ARRM is usually associated with a particular RRM, learning the craft of mixing, working with filmmakers, and having a creative input.
Core responsibilities
These core responsibilities are provided as a guide and are not exhaustive. The exact responsibilities in a particular job will vary depending on the scale / budget band / genre of the production.
- Establish rapport with filmmakers quickly and effectively
- Communicate with picture edit about turnover requirements
- Explain the re-recording mixer's template and preferences to sound editors
- Communicate with sound editors and music department to ensure a smooth turnover of materials to the project session
- Communicate with post sound facilities about mix session requirements regarding plugins, mixing desk setup, etc
- Working closely with picture edit department to ensure a smooth transfer of materials between picture and sound
- Import and prepare all sound editors tracks into final mix DAW session
- Import and prepare final music tracks into final mix DAW session
- Ensure that the correct picture file is being used for the final mix and that there are no sync issues
- Setup DAW session routing and mixing console to projects requirements
- Be able to troubleshoot issues with sound and picture
- Pre-empt any possible issues that may occur during mixing that may impact the schedule and budget
- Have the ability to edit dialogue, music and sound effects to some degree where appropriate during final mix
- Take into account re-recording mixer preferences for processing and organisation of audio material
- Understand the process of the final mix and provide options of different treatments and edits where appropriate
- Update session as new material is delivered, i.e. master archive, final voice over, final music stems
- Maintain consistent organisation of session so that time on mix stage is spent efficiently
- Re-conform elements in session based on picture edit changes
- Create deliverables to the appropriate tech specs for the project / client
- Understand a wide variety of technical specifications and be able to prepare deliverables to meet them
Skills
Check out role specific skills, transferable skills and attributes for the role of assistant re-recording mixer.
- Making the post sound mixing sessions run smoothly ensures that the schedules and budgets are being met.
- When a project is being prepped ready for the post-production mixing, the assistant re-recording mixer will, with the re-recording mixer, help build or modify the audio DAW ‘template’ that will help deliver the necessary audio mix deliverables that the client/ film makers require. The normal procedure would to mix the ‘final’ soundtrack for the movie/ programme and then for the assistant re-recording mixer to produce, using the DAW, the various audio tracks that are used by the projects sales partners to produce/ dub the projects sound track into various languages.
- The sound mixing theatre can be a very complicated and sometimes stressful environment to work in so an assistant re-recording mixer can help the re-recording mixer and the film makers, by providing a strong supportive role, from making sure the project runs smoothly to perhaps helping to provide refreshments.
- The assistant re-recording mixer would be required to understand the various contracted audio specifications that are required to follow or work too.
- Professional development: active interest in the industry as a whole, suggesting any technical changes and advances which could be used to improve workflow. Interest in furthering knowledge and understanding of the final mix process to provide better work in the future. Sharing of knowledge and explaining the parts of the sound process to other departments or assistants to enable everyone in the process to offer better workflows.
- Highly organised: an assistant re-recording mixer needs to be highly organised. The assistant re-recording mixer will need to ensure the smooth running of the mix sessions as they can become very complicated, containing many audio tracks and layers. Maintenance of an organised audio session throughout post is essential.
- Time aware: able to adjust speed and detail of work to the scheduled time whilst still delivering high quality results.
- Feedback: ability to take feedback and critique of work from both clients and supervising sound editor / re-recording mixer.
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