Having worked on anything from ‘Michael McIntyre’s Big Show’ to ‘Animal Planet’, Matty Groark knows how to make the audio you hear on your favourite shows sound just right. But what actually is a sound recordist and how important is someone to teach you the art? Studio Insider finds out more.
The role of a sound recordist is often overlooked in the world of TV production, but it is crucial to making the cogs turn. For Matty Groark, a music degree at Leeds was what initially planted the seed in his head. “After university, I got an opportunity from a friend of mine whose auntie was a producer. She gave me a chance to do a trial down in London at a production company when I was 20.”
After going to London for what was, at first, a two-week trial, Matty ended up staying there for two years. During that time, he worked on Channel 4 and Discovery documentaries in the post production department. Even though the work was challenging, he knew that he was in the right place and wanted to keep working in TV. He says, “I was sleeping in the office at times. I would sometimes go to work on a Monday and go back home on a Wednesday, but I knew that this opportunity was my golden ticket, and I poured absolutely everything into it.”
What actually is a sound recordist?
They’re the people responsible for capturing the sound in TV production and can also be known as sound engineers. They set up the mics and capture all of the speaking, singing and general noise in a shot. To Matty personally, being a sound recordist is “a true gift like being a fly on the wall”.
He says, “Sound is a really good job. When you get the sound of a show just right, you’re like, ‘This is why I do it. Everything’s perfect.’ You obviously can’t control the construction and the airplanes and all of that whilst you’re on set, but it is a satisfying job. When you put your mixer down at the end of the day and you hand your card over, you’re done for the day and leave everything in the mixing room. I’m just turning up and recording good sound. I can sit and observe everyone and also have the chance to talk to incredible people.”
Having a mentor
Having initially worked in the post-production side of TV production, Matty eventually decided that sound recording was something that he was keen to try. “One day this guy came into the office who was a sound recordist. He had just come back from filming a Discovery series in India. I thought, ‘Right. I’ll just ask him.’ I went up to him and said, “Robbie, is there any chance of you needing an assistant or a trainee? I’ve got a music background. I feel like I’ve got a good ear. I’ve been doing this for two years and I’d love to try some sound production.” Matty adds, “I think that is the main piece of advice I would give to anyone hoping to get into the industry, if you feel like there’s a question there, just ask it. I’d like to think most of the people you’d want to get an opportunity with would give you a chance. Luckily Robbie was a big advocate for passing knowledge on. Some people can be less forthcoming, but mentors really are crucial in this industry.”
After working at Jamie Oliver’s production company for a couple of years, the sound recordist then moved back to production company he’d initially worked for. He was offered a 10-week stint filming a series of Animal Planet in America, with Robbie as the sound recordist. “I ended up flying out with him and then being on this show with him. I was actually the DIT camera/sound assistant, and I got buddied up with Robbie and we become best mates. The show kept getting extended and it did really well. It was one of the highest rating shows in America. Somehow, I ended up in America for four years, and we ended up doing seven or eight series. We’d be working for about five months at a time, so I was living in Denver and with Robbie most of the time. He trained me up. He really knew his stuff having been brought up within the BBC. It was the best experience.”
His relationship with Robbie was and still is essential in Matty’s journey. Having connections to help you get jobs is one thing, but having a mentor ensures you continue to get them and have that all-important support system. “In this industry, you do have to make your own luck by asking people questions or for support. He wasn’t the first person I piggybacked off. There were editors when I was going down that route that I asked for lots of advice. Luckily, Robbie came into my life when he did though, and I have learnt endless amounts from him. I think finding the person that wants to invest in you can be the make or break.”
Passing it on
“There’s a lad that I’ve trained up recently and it has been the most rewarding experience. I wasn’t really looking for how good he was going to be at sound, I was looking for how much of a personality he had and how good he was with people. It’s easy to forget when you’re doing sound that you’re also putting radio mics on guests and getting really up in people’s faces, so you’ve got to be really normal about it. Passing on the knowledge that Robbie instilled in me and not being protective or feeling
threatened by it is so important. You can’t think like, ‘If I teach this guy, he’s going to steal all my work.’ It’s more like ‘I’ll be dead and then he can do it,” he says.
“Robbie said to me, “I’m going to train you, but one thing you’ve got to do for me is pass it on,” and I’ve said the same thing to Tony who I trained up. Everyone needs a Robbie in their life.” So, you’ve heard from the sound recordist who found his footing in the TV industry not just through talent and hard work, but through the guidance of someone who believed in him. In an industry built on networking, having someone to guide you, advocate for you, and teach you the ropes can be the difference between getting a foot in the door and building a lifelong career. As Matty now passes that knowledge on to
others, it’s time for you to go out into the world and “find your Robbie”.
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