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Sound Trainee

Entry-level sound trainee supporting mixer and boom on UK units.

Duties

• Read the call sheet and sides before arriving
• Maintain radio/set etiquette and H&S
• Hand over notes/kit status at wrap
• Assist cable, kit and bag under supervision
• Learn boom etiquette and radio-mic basics
• Support wrap and battery discipline

Reports to

Mixer / Boom mentor

Works with

Sound team

Career path

Sound Trainee → Sound Assistant / Utility → Boom → Mixer

Day to day

Coil cable; fetch batteries; learn lav hygiene; watch boom rehearsals; stay silent and useful.

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

• PDF sides
• 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)

Related roles

Sound Assistant / Utility, Boom Operator

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