Fred Hedemark, Broadcast Mixer for Late Night with Seth Meyers, gives a behind-the-scenes look at the complexities of sound production for late-night television. He shares stories of the adrenaline-filled live shows, the meticulous preparation required, and the challenges of working in a high-pressure environment.
Broadcast mixers play a crucial role in managing sound elements for late night shows, ensuring a coherent audio experience for viewers.
Collaboration and teamwork among audio professionals are vital for delivering a flawless audio experience during live tapings of late night shows.
Deep dives
The Role of a Broadcast Mixer in Late Night Shows
Late night talk shows have a consistent format that includes an opening monologue, comedic segments, celebrity interviews, musical performances, and more. The broadcast mixer, responsible for managing sound elements like music, microphones, and sound effects, plays a crucial role in ensuring a coherent audio experience for viewers at home. They must also trigger sound effects during tapings and handle technical issues that may arise.
The Behind-the-Scenes Process of Preparing for Late Night Shows
Contrary to popular belief, most late night shows are pre-recorded in the afternoon and broadcast later in the evening. The production team, led by the broadcast mixer, goes through extensive preparations leading up to the show, including testing all microphones, sound effects, and audio equipment, coordinating with the production team, rehearsing segments, and ensuring everything is in working order before the live-to-tape recording.
The Collaborative Effort and Expertise of the Audio Team
The success of a late night show heavily relies on the collaboration of the audio team, consisting of primary audio engineers (A1s) and audio assistants (A2s). Each member has specific responsibilities, from managing music levels to ensuring proper microphone setup for hosts and guests. The teamwork and coordination among the audio professionals are essential for delivering a flawless audio experience to the audience.
Navigating Challenges and Imperfections in Live Broadcasting
Despite thorough preparations, unexpected challenges can arise during live tapings of late night shows. Fred recalls instances where technical issues, such as microphone drops and sound effects mishaps, needed quick fixes during the show. The pressure of ensuring a seamless broadcast, coupled with the unexpected nature of live television, highlights the importance of adaptability and expertise in handling on-the-spot audio challenges.
The sound of Late Night television is a complex beast with many moving parts. In this episode, we step inside the daily hustle of Broadcast Mixer Fred Hedemark as he and his team bring the sound of Late Night with Seth Meyers to life. Along the way, Fred reveals the highs and lows of working on a high-adrenaline, live-to-tape TV show, and shares some never-heard recordings from his years on the show.