Description
The Assistant Sound Designer is responsible for assisting the sound designer in their role. Specific duties and tasks will be decided based on the abilities of the assistant and the needs of the show. What follows is a generalized list of responsibilities.
Expectations
- Read the script several times, taking note of overall story and theme and specific physical needs. Determine research and dramaturgical needs.
- Consult the departmental production calendar and note all due dates. It is important that you meet these dates because it affects the work of so many other people.
- Attend all design and production meetings with the sound designer. Make sure the stage manager has all of your current contact information
- Attend the conversation about the play between the director and sound designer. Whenever possible it is best if this includes the entire design team. Discuss overall production concept, theme, style, period, etc.
- Assist in creating a preliminary sound plot and obtaining a copy of the ground plan from the scenic designer and begin thinking of speaker placement.
- Assist in getting all the relevant literature on the equipment that is available for your show. Familiarize yourself with your equipment, as it will be the basis of quality for your design.
- Assist in gathering research and compiling relevant information to present to the sound designer and the director as it pertains to the design.
- Attend rehearsals regularly. These should be run-throughs whenever possible.
- Assist in finalizing the sound plot and create a play list and all other relevant paper work.
- Assist in building, creating, and recording your cues to the designated media. Be sure to check for record quality and clarity. Discuss the speaker location needs with the sound designer, scenic designer, and technical director, especially if you need to “hide” them on the stage.
- Meet with the sound designer and technical director to plan quiet time and set preliminary levels for each cue before you meet and present them to your mentor and the director.
- Assist in training the sound board operator at tech rehearsal.
- Attend the meeting with the sound designer, director, stage manager, and the other production team members for a “Paper Tech”, so that you may go through the show cue by cue prior to the first tech rehearsal. This may take several hours to complete.
- Assist in making copies of all paperwork available for first tech so if a situation arises you can handle it professionally and quickly.
- Attend all tech and dress rehearsals so that you may assist in taking notes and fixing cues and adjusting equipment as needed. Be specific in your note taking as to avoid any complications for your next work session.
- At the end of each tech or dress rehearsal there will be a production meeting to discuss the needs of every department. This will allow the production team to gauge the schedule for the next workday. Assist in recording the schedule that is decided.
- After this meeting, meet with the sound designer and technical director to schedule any work time needed in the theater during the following workday.
- Once your show is complete, assist in recording backup media and verify that your operator and stage manger have all the needed files and paperwork.
Online application for this position.