Post-Production Breakdown: Picture Shop on Get Millie Black

Picture Shop has wrapped up the audio post-production on the intriguing crime noir series “Get Millie Black.” This five-part drama is currently available on HBO in the US and is set to make its debut on Channel 4 in the UK next year. The show, a Motive Pictures production, delves into the worlds of London, UK, and Kingston, Jamaica, following the journey of an ex-Scotland Yard detective who returns to Kingston to investigate missing persons, leading her on a quest that will challenge everything she knows. Filming predominantly took place in Kingston, a vibrant and colorful backdrop for the series.

Overcoming the sound challenges posed by the diverse settings, Picture Shop’s sound team, led by re-recording mixers Gareth Bull and Gibran Farrah in London, crafted an immersive audio experience using ProTools on an Avid S6 console. The team faced the task of creating a rich and multi-layered soundscape to bring the two contrasting worlds to life.

A major obstacle was ensuring clear dialogue amidst the hustle and bustle of urban locations, amplified by a mix of patois and regional accents. Innovative noise reduction tools like Hush Pro were employed to salvage location audio, while a significant amount of technical and creative ADR work was undertaken. The core cast members, based in the UK, New York, and Jamaica, recorded their ADR at Picture Shop’s studios in London and New York, with remote supervision from the team.

To facilitate ADR sessions for the Jamaican-based actors, Picture Shop collaborated with Creative Sounds, a recording studio in Kingston. This partnership was vital to maintaining the authenticity of the show’s sound. Specialist engineering and a portable ADR kit were deployed to ensure a seamless workflow between the London and Kingston studios, allowing the actors to deliver outstanding performances.

The EVP of post-production at HBO/Max, Gena Desclos, praised Picture Shop for enhancing the auditory landscape of Jamaica, emphasizing the authenticity and vibrancy achieved through their diligent work in London and Kingston. Executive producer Jami O’Brien commended the Picture Shop team for their professionalism, technical expertise, and artistic flair in capturing the essence of the show through meticulous ADR and local sound production. Their collaborative efforts across continents resulted in a truly remarkable audio experience for “Get Millie Black.”