Merle Powell-Smith
Merle Powell-Smith


Region: South West
County: Somerset
Local Authority: Somerset Council
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Crew Listing


Description

I am a recently graduated Film & TV student with professional experience in audio, production coordination and music composition. Skills in boom operating, audio editing, music production and sound engineering. Trained in Sound Devices equipment and proficient in Logic Pro and ProTools. Also well-versed in production management, admin, production logistics, studio runner duties and scheduling/diary management. I have worked in a variety of audio-driven roles, most recently as a production runner and sound trainee on ‘The Forsytes’ Season 2, a Mammoth Screen production at Bottle Yard Studios. This experience allowed me to further my skills in organisation, team-work and cross-department communication. Working in a busy studio environment, I delivered daily support to the sound department, ran errands and communicated across departments to ensure the sound crew could operate smoothly. I also had the opportunity to boom on set, staying calm under pressure and delivering quality dialogue recordings. I have also worked as a project manager and sound operator for a short documentary ‘Weird in the Womb’, a film raising awareness for Endometriosis and its impact on women’s lives. I managed everything from shoot scheduling, location risk assessments and the production budget - to statistics research, interview questions and ethical/editorial aspects of the documentary. Fundraising and social media management were also crucial aspects of my role, and the low-budget nature of the project helped me develop strong multi- tasking skills and an ability to work within tight deadlines. During this time I developed a keen interest in production coordination and found the logistical and organisational aspects of a project very exciting.


Special Interests

I have a special interest in production sound and music composition. Ever since working on The Forsytes, I've got the itch to be on set again, surrounded by the buzzing creativity and organisational machine of Film/TV production. In 2023 I had the opportunity to work for the Podcast Coach as a composer and music producer for the podcast ‘Rewilding the World with Ben Goldsmith’. This project taught me so much about the collaborative nature of podcasting and the vital role music plays in creating the perfect atmosphere for a given show. When composing for the podcast, I used a range of production techniques to tell a story and compliment the topic of Rewilding, incorporating organic samples and textures from endangered species. This is another passion of mine, one I would like to take further in whatever way I can.


Genre

Comedy, Drama, Thriller

Credits

  • MUSIC - Composer/ Arranger
  • 2023: Rewilding the World with Ben Goldsmith
  • PRODUCTION - Producer
  • 2025: Weird in the Womb
  • SOUND / AUDIO - Sound Editor
  • 2025: Twyla & The Warbirds
  • SOUND / AUDIO - Sound Trainee
  • 2025: The Forsytes Season 2

Affiliations
  • PRS - Performing Rights Society