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Sound Assistant / Utility

Supports mixer and boom with cable, lavs, second boom and set logistics — UK Sound grade; confirm title on the call sheet and deal memo.

Duties

• Read the call sheet and sides before arriving
• Maintain radio/set etiquette and H&S
• Hand over notes/kit status at wrap
• Cable and plant mics
• Second boom
• Battery/media management

Reports to

Production Sound Mixer

Works with

Mixer, Boom, Costume/HMU for lavs, ADs

Career path

Trainee → Sound Assistant → Boom Op

Day to day

Wire lavs with Costume; manage bag/cart; run cable; second boom; battery changes; keep Q quieter than the set.

Call times

Sound generally matches unit call; lav wiring can pull cast (and sound) earlier. Wild tracks and quiet windows often extend past picture wrap.

What to wear

Quiet blacks; soft-soled shoes; radio pouch; weather layers; avoid noisy nylon fabrics.

Tools & kit

Personal boom/headphones soft goods as agreed; mixer kit often package deal — confirm kit fee vs labour.

Tips

Confirm title, agreement, budget band, prep/wrap and kit fee on the deal memo before accepting. We never invent Bectu figures — check bectu.org.uk ratecards / your branch.

Software

• Inventory spreadsheets
• Sound Devices / Zaxcom / Lectrosonics ecosystems
• Wave Agent / metadata tools
• MovieSlate where used
• Frame.io notes as issued
• ChatGPT for lav/character planning lists (mixer approves)

Bectu rate cards for this role are in the app.

Related roles

Boom Operator

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