Meet Jamie Wang

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jamie Wang. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jamie, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

Even though I have the most loving parents in the world, my babysitter was the television in my family. Ever since I was young, I have encountered many different genres of films and television, because I would always love a good story. No matter how am I feeling, stories are fuels to power me through a bad day of school or a relaxed weekend. I realized I wanted to work in the film industry after watching Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain because I wanted to create something that’s so emotional and touching that’s cross-culture. In my undergrad days, I went on many student film sets and gradually found my interest in production design and sound design. Even though these two areas may seem very different from each other, to me, they both deal with creating three-dimensional spaces where the story takes place. There’s nothing more exciting than that.

My journey took a significant turn when I enrolled in an open-to-all Pro Tools class, an industry-standard software for audio editing. Encouraged by my growing interest in sound, I signed up to be a student mixer for class projects for different SCA majors: TV and Film Production, Peter Stark Producing program and Expanded Animation program. As a student mixer, I faced the challenge of conducting a stereo re-recording sound mix for a five-minute project in just three hours. This experience was pivotal. The pressure of collaborating with newly met directors, who are also sound designers for their project, in such a short time illuminated the critical role sound plays in storytelling. Sound can profoundly shape a film’s emotional narrative. The way a scene is perceived—whether as glorious or horrifying, precise or chaotic—can be dramatically altered by sound design. For instance, a simple operation scene could evoke a sense of horror or awe towards science based on the audio cues that accompany it. While sound design often shines in action-packed films or thrillers, I became increasingly aware of its subtler applications. Sound can create heartwarming moments, nudging audiences toward emotional responses that resonate on a deeper level.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I do both production sound and post sound design.

For production sound, I am responsible for production sound ensures that the dialogue, ambient sounds, and certain sound effects are recorded on set in sync with the visuals. Their goal is to capture the best possible sound quality in real-time, which will serve as the foundation for the film’s audio track in post-production. Sometimes in a small production, I would have the responsibilities of sound mixer, boom operator, and sound utilities all-in-one.

Being sound designer which means that I am responsible for creating the auditory world of a film, shaping how audiences experience and interpret the story through sound. My job involves designing and manipulating all sound elements—dialogue, sound effects, ambience, and music—to enhance the emotional and narrative depth of a film.

For me, the most exciting part of being a sound designer is the ability to take familiar, everyday sounds and transform them into powerful tools that enhance the emotional tension of a scene. There’s something fascinating about using sounds that people encounter in their daily lives—like the ticking of a clock, footsteps in an empty hallway, or the hum of an appliance—and amplifying their emotional significance within the narrative. By manipulating the volume, rhythm, or tone of these seemingly ordinary sounds, I can subtly heighten anxiety, suspense, or unease in a way that feels natural and grounded in reality. It’s like using the audience’s own subconscious associations with those sounds to evoke an emotional response, making the tension feel more personal and immersive. This process of taking the familiar and making it extraordinary is what keeps me passionate about sound design—it’s the fine art of shaping the auditory landscape to make every moment resonate more deeply with the audience.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I think the communication skills are very important. I constantly have to network with people in order to find the next project to work on; as an introvert, it is pretty hard. Working in film also means I always have to work closely with different people with different communication styles. Some directors are more direct and precise in telling me what exactly they want, and some directors would give me more creative freedom as long as it follows their general ideas. I need to learn how to adapt to different situations really quickly. However, this is pretty much life. You would encounter and collaborate with different people from different walks of life.

Another crucial quality of a great sound designer is the commitment to continuous learning. The field of audio technology is constantly evolving, with new plug-ins, software, and equipment emerging almost daily. Staying up to date with these advancements isn’t just beneficial—it’s essential. Every sound professional, should experiment with and master new tools to stay competitive and push the boundaries of what’s possible in sound design. Whether it’s exploring cutting-edge audio effects, refining techniques for spatial audio, or learning to use the latest mixing console, the pursuit of new knowledge allows sound designers to elevate their craft, adapt to modern storytelling needs, and bring fresh, innovative ideas to each project.

Equally important is the ability to stay calm under pressure. In film production, unpredictable challenges arise all the time, whether it’s unexpected noise on set, technical malfunctions, or tight deadlines. The ability to remain composed in these high-stress situations is key to being a successful sound designer. A calm and level-headed approach not only helps to troubleshoot issues more effectively but also fosters better communication and collaboration with the rest of the crew. Maintaining that “chill” attitude allows a sound designer to solve problems creatively, adapt quickly to changing circumstances, and keep the production moving smoothly, even when things get chaotic.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

One piece of advice I always offer to filmmakers is to cultivate a non-film-related hobby. The film industry is notoriously fast-paced and competitive, and it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of deadlines, creative demands, and long hours. Without a proper work-life balance, the stress can quickly become overwhelming, and burnout becomes a real risk. That’s why having a hobby outside of filmmaking is crucial—it offers a mental break, a chance to step away from the pressures of work, and allows for moments of peace and reflection.

Whenever I feel stressed or overloaded, I intentionally distance myself from my work to recalibrate and regain clarity. Recently, I’ve taken up making miniature toys as a hobby. This activity requires my full attention and engages me in a completely different creative process. It’s intricate work that demands focus and patience, which helps me become more mindful and present. This hands-on hobby allows me to relax, shift my mental gears, and recharge, ultimately helping me return to filmmaking with fresh energy and perspective. Finding a hobby that absorbs you, whether it’s crafting, painting, or even gardening, can create a healthy balance and prevent the industry’s demands from consuming all your time and energy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jamiewangfilm.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamiewang.wav/
• Other: IMDB
  https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7672628/