A Detailed Guide on How to Become a Sound Designer in the TV & Film Industry

The Indian film and television industry is expanding on a broader level hence raising the demand for skilled manpower. In this pursuit, the demand for skilled sound designers is on the rise. This guide will take you through the journey of becoming a sound designer in India, exploring the role, career prospects, educational paths, and more.

A Guide to Become a Sound Designer in the TV & Film Industry

How to Become a Sound Designer in the Film and TV Industry in India?: Imagine you are watching an action movie but the sound from the guns, missiles, and weapons are not synced with the scene on display and the background music is overpowering the action scenes. All your excitement and exhilaration will go down the drain.

Now imagine watching the same thrilling action movie but the roar of explosions is loud, perfectly synced with the action as well as the background is just soft enough to fill the room while also maintaining the emotion, the suspenseful creaking of floorboards in a horror film is clear enough to send chills down your spine or the waterfall scene from the documentary is just perfect enough to metaphorically transform you to the same scene right from the comfort of your home. This is the magic of sound design.

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What is Sound Design?

Sound Design plays a crucial role in creating the immersive experience that makes movies and TV shows come alive and worth watching. As the Indian film and television industry continues to expand, the demand for skilled sound designers is on the rise now. In this article on how to Become a Sound Designer in the TV & Film Industry, we will take you through the journey of becoming a sound designer in India, exploring the job role, career prospects, eligibility criteria, educational paths, salary, and much more. So keep reading to create a sound impact on your career.

What is a Sound Designer? 

A sound designer is a person who is trained to create the auditory elements of a film, television show, or other media productions like a documentary, an advertisement, a short movie, etc. A sound designer enhances the overall sensory experience by crafting soundscapes that complement and elevate the visual components. The sound designer mixes recording, synthesizing, and editing sounds to achieve the desired effect for the video shot by the cinematographer

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What Does a Sound Designer Do? 

Now that we have learned about the “WHO” let us learn about the “WHAT” - 

• Creating Sound Effects:  Sound designers design and produce sound effects that enhance the narrative of the story, such as by adding footsteps, ambient noises, or special effects. 
• Recording Audio:  They capture live sounds or dialogue during production or in a studio setting and use it in the video wherever required.
• Editing and Mixing: Sound designers edit recorded sounds and mix multiple audio tracks to create a balanced and immersive soundscape for the viewers.
• Apart from these, sound designers, do soundscaping, foley artistry etc.

Sound Designing Scope, Salary, and Career Growth 

With opportunities in film production houses, television studios, advertising agencies, and independent projects the scope for sound designers in India is very vast and the demand has gone through the roof. With the emergence of digital streaming platforms the demand for high-quality sound design in web series and online content has significantly increased and there is always a lookout for skilled sound designers. 

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Sound Designer Salary  

The salary of a sound designer depends on experience, location, and the scale of their work. For example, an entry-level sound designer who has just completed the course is termed as a fresher and they can expect anything between INR 3 to 5 lakhs per annum at the start. 

However, with experience, the salary can increase significantly, with mid-level professionals earning between INR 6 to 12 lakhs, and senior sound designers making more than INR 15 lakhs annually. The salary also depends upon the studio they are associated with and the frequency of work they are getting. 

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Career Growth as a Sound Designer  

Sound designing has a promising career, with vast opportunities to advance from assistant roles to senior positions. as lead sound designer or head of the sound department of a movie or web series production. Experienced sound designers can also do freelancing or start their sound production studio. 

Companies and Industries That Hire Sound Designers 

• Film Production Houses
• Television Studios
• Advertising Agencies
• Game Development Companies
• Animation Studios
• Digital Streaming Platforms 

Best Colleges for Sound Design in India 

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Eligibility for Being a Sound Designer 

• Educational Qualifications:  Candidates must have completed a minimum of 10+2 education with a background in science, especially physics, as it can be beneficial in career growth going forward.
• Skills:  They must have good hearing ability as sound is all about hearing. Candidates must have technical aptitude, creativity, and attention to detail as they need to cover even the minutest of sound and use it in their video.
• Training:  Students planning to make a career in sound design must have completed a diploma or degree in sound design or related fields from a recognized institution.
• Experience: They must gain practical experience through internships or assistant roles in sound studios or production houses before foraying into bigger roles. 

Famous Sound Designers in India 

• Resul Pookutty:  He is an Academy Award-winning sound designer who is known for his work on "Slumdog Millionaire" and "Gandhi, My Father." He is a long-time associate of AR Rahman.
• Shajith Koyeri: He is a renowned sound designer famous for movies like "Haider" and "Omkara." He is a frequent collaborator with Vishal Bhardwaj.
• Parikshit Lalwani:  He is known for his innovative sound work in movies such as "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" and "Dangal." 

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