15/10/2025
Why Supporting Local Sound Professionals Strengthens the Entire Film Industry:
Every dollar spent on local sound post-production — Sound design, dialogue editing, Foley, mixing, composition — does more than finish a film. It keeps a creative ecosystem alive.
When productions outsource to the cheapest bidder or send work overseas or even interstate, it might save a small margin in the short term, but it erodes the long-term health of the local industry. Skilled practitioners leave, fewer juniors are trained, and the standard of work becomes harder to maintain.
Conversely, when we keep the work local, the benefits ripple outward. Experienced people stay and share knowledge. Studios invest in better spaces and tools. Collaboration improves because people actually know each other — directors, editors, sound teams — all working face-to-face.
Of course, there will always be projects that call for a specific person or studio because of their sound, approach, or creative chemistry — and that’s totally valid. Collaboration should always serve the story first. But when it’s possible to work with local teams who bring equal skill and care, those choices don’t just make creative sense — they make economic and cultural sense too.
A healthy sound industry isn’t a luxury; it’s a multiplier.
Local investment creates better outcomes for filmmakers, more consistent quality for clients, and ultimately, stronger profit margins for everyone involved.
Because when your region becomes known for great sound, great sound becomes part of your region’s reputation.
If you’re in production, post, or agency work — consider the impact of your next project. Keeping sound local doesn’t just finish a film — it builds a stronger industry for all of us.
At Astbury Audio, we’re proud to collaborate with Australian filmmakers and agencies to help keep sound talent local and thriving. Have a project that need Post Sound or Music composition? Drop me a DM I'd love to chat about how Astbury Audio can bring your sonic dreams to life.
