Trainee Sound Assistant

Digital Departures Develop New Talent
Training Profile
Trainee Sound Assistant


Feature film: Salvage
Training Area: Sound Department
Length of Training: 24 days
Training Allowance: £60 per day of completed training
Pre Placement Training: Wednesday 20th February 2008-Liverpool or Manchester tbc
Placement Start Date: Thursday 21st February 2008 - Liverpool
Placement Finish Date: Thursday 20th March 2008 - Liverpool
Post Placement Training Tuesday 25th March 2008 Liverpool or Manchester tbc
Placement Location Liverpool
Training Schedule: 11 day fortnights - includes training at the weekend and some evenings
Training hours: Variable, as a result of night shoots you may not finish until midnight, you may also have 6.15am starts the following day.

Digital Departures

Digital Departures was set up by Northwest Vision and Media to establish Liverpool and the North West as the centre of micro budget feature film production in Europe. This exciting new initiative will produce 3 innovative micro-budget feature films in Liverpool, due to premiere in the city during the 2008 Capital of Culture celebrations, and each with a fully-funded budget of £250,000.

The key driving force behind this initiative is to give short filmmakers the opportunity of making their first feature. Salvage is one of the three films being made in Liverpool. Salvage is a Horror film written by former Hollyoaks Story Editor, Colin O’Donnell, and directed by Lowrence Gough who has made 3 short films with Northwest Vision and media.

About the Placement

The person appointed will be based in the Sound Department of Salvage for the whole shooting period and will be working on set for the entire shoot. This training placement will be based primarily at Croxteth in Liverpool, the production location.

The successful individual will have the opportunity to gain knowledge and understanding of the various roles and processes involved in micro budget feature film production, as well as a chance to gain personal development and an opportunity to build relationships with key people within the industry. As a Trainee Sound Assistant the individual will develop and strengthen specific and appropriate occupational skills.

Training Role and Key Responsibilities

The successful trainee will assist the Sound Recordist and boom operators. This is a technical role however the involvement of the individual will be extremely varied and dependent on the daily activities as well as the aptitude of the actual individual.

He/She will:
• Help collect, move and assemble sound recording equipment and microphones
• Assist with equipment set up and storage
• Assist with equipment checks and maintenance
• Monitoring equipment during operation
• Assist with placing and rigging microphones
• Assist with sound checks
• Support Sound Crew by completing forms detailing what has been recorded
• Ensure the working environment is compliant with health and safety standards
• General assistance and support to sound operatives and crew
• Working to the directions of Sound Recordist

Placement End

We hope that by the end of the placement the individual would have gained specific knowledge, experience and competences in the following areas –

• A comprehensive understanding in the area he/she will work in, and the roles within that area
• Gained knowledge and developed a basic understanding of the different processes and activities relating to Independent micro budget feature film production
• An understanding of the role of a Sound Operator & associated equipment
• Improved industry experience, contacts and networking knowledge
• Improved understanding of career pathways and the diverse regional support available to media new entrants

Person Specification for Trainee Placement

What do I need to display on the application form?

We are looking for trainees who have some experience of working on short film, TV programmes or equivalent and are keen to move into feature film production.

Core Skills -The trainee will be expected to have the following experience knowledge and understanding:
• Have some industry experience or qualification in Sound production for TV/Film/Drama
• 6 months experience working in Sound Production (Industry, Voluntary, Community, Education)
• A certificate in Maths and English (GCSE or equivalent)
• Provide evidence of qualifications if required
• Health and Safety awareness
• Full/Clean Driving Licence

Other attitudes / qualities we are looking for:
• Enthusiasm; Willingness to start & learn at the bottom; Respect for others; Determination to succeed; Initiative; interest in sound recording and sound technologies and General technical skills; Interest in the media industry and specifically TV Drama; Reliability; Good hearing; Ability to accept direction and respond quickly; Good Stamina and Commitment, Punctuality