Tobie Pettitt - Executive Audio Producer
Job title - Executive Audio Producer
Experience - 15+ years
“Do it! Women are pretty underrepresented in audio and we need more! Build up your contacts, be patient when you’re learning the ropes, and remember to be kind to yourself when you make mistakes at the beginning of anything - it’s normal.”
Describe your job role and the kinds of projects/clients you work with.
I produce audio for all kinds of projects - from TV, online and cinema spots to animation and podcasts. My job covers everything from brief to broadcast - I’m client facing and estimate for the project when the client briefs it in, I look after casting the voiceovers, schedule in the recordings either remotely or in studio as well as the sound design and mixes. I work closely with our in house engineers throughout and make sure the client is super happy with the result!
What does an average day look like in your post production working world?
I’ll normally have anything from 5-10 projects in production at any one time. A fair bit of my day is spent scheduling in voiceover (VO) records in the studios calendar. We have 10 studios on Tottenham Court Road that are always rammed! An important part of the job is working out how long we’ll need in the studio. Things to consider are how many scripts we’re recording and if the VO is remote or attending in the studio. We can connect to VOs anywhere in the world through Cleanfeed or Source Connect software and we always make sure VOs are online before the client joins, so any connection issues are sorted out. I work closely with our engineers on all sessions - clear communication is essential. I brief them on the various jobs for the day so they’re clear on expectations, and make sure I’ve transcoded assets and uploaded them to the server. I stay in the studio with the engineer to direct the VO and make sure we get the best performance from them. We often re-record takes that match the client’s brief as well as making sure that the timings are working i.e. if any key words or sentences need to sync with certain shots. This can be quite a skill as you need to be a really clear director and often model the delivery you want. I also have to be aware of where the final audio is going, for example if it’s for UK TV then we need 6 frames of silence top and tail, but if it’s for cinema then we need to make sure we’re hitting the right Leq specs. A really important part of the job is mixing amends from the client and making sure that any script or edit changes are reflected in the audio too. Often clients will dial in and I’ll facilitate the sessions to make sure the client is happy with the amends we’ve made. We often have sound design sessions in the studio too, which are really fun. I work creatively together with the engineer to create a sound palette using the client’s brief to make sure we’re really bringing the edit to life. No two days are the same, one day we could be working on an automotive brand, the next it will be a toolkit for a global chocolate brand or an 8bit animation for a national advisory body.
How did your career in post production begin?
It was due to chance and being in the right place at the right time. I’d spent most of my twenties working in sectors ranging from mental health to local government and EU programme management. I left the UK to work in Spain, then Italy teaching Business English and I applied for an Audio Producer job in a recording studio in Milan where they were looking for project management experience and then they trained me up. I was very lucky.
What has been your career highlight?
My time working in Milan was really special - I was so happy working on a huge variety of projects, working in both English and Italian, and finally realised it was possible to do a job I actually loved! I’ve produced ads with celeb VOs in the UK which was fun working with them from Gerard Butler and Idris Elba to Brian Blessed and Morgana Robinson. And it always makes me feel great when they tell me they’ve enjoyed the session.
Who are your role models in post?
Annabelle Inge is a really talented producer and voiceover and was the best teacher I could have had when I started out.
What advice do you have for others wanting to start a career in post?
Do it! Women are pretty underrepresented in audio and we need more! Build up your contacts, be patient when you’re learning the ropes, and remember to be kind to yourself when you make mistakes at the beginning of anything - it’s normal.