We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Andrea Teresa Trinidad Idioma. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Andrea Teresa Trinidad below.
Andrea Teresa Trinidad, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
If there’s one reason I consider myself resilient, it’s because I’m Filipino—and that resilience is deeply rooted in our culture. Our people have endured over 350 plus years of colonization and hardship, and yet we continue to move forward with strength, faith, and even joy. That spirit lives in me.
I also owe a lot of my resilience to the people around me, specifically my family and friends. They’ve been my anchor and my fuel, especially in my decision to pursue sound design and to take that dream even further by stepping into the biggest film industry in the world: Hollywood.
Growing up, I wasn’t the top student. I failed classes and wasn’t considered an achiever. But I’ve always had this inner drive to keep going and to focus on the brighter side of things and just keep on grinding. That, along with the support of the people I love, made me believe that nothing is truly impossible when you put your heart and mind into it.
I still face self-doubt, and there will always be naysayers. But I’ve learned that taking the time to give yourself a real pep talk, asking for help when you need it, and surrounding yourself with encouragement, that’s what helps me push through, every time.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a sound designer for film and television, specializing in re-recording mixing and dialogue editing, currently based in Los Angeles, California. As a re-recording mixer, my role is to blend all the audio elements of a film, dialogue, music, sound effects, foley, and ambience, into a cohesive and emotionally resonant soundtrack. I’m always thinking about how sound can support the story. It’s not just about making things sound good; it’s about using sound as a storytelling tool.
Dialogue editing in the other hand is a big part of that process. I focus on making sure all the recorded dialogue is clean, smooth, and intelligible. Essentially making the spoken performances as seamless and natural as possible, even when they’re pulled from multiple takes or recorded under less-than-ideal conditions. I also work closely with actors during ADR sessions, when we need to re-record lines that can’t be salvaged from the original production audio or add new dialogue to better serve the story after filming is complete.
Currently, I work full-time as an editor at Unbridled Sound, best known for their work on Everything Everywhere All at Once and The Legend of Ochi. It’s an incredibly talented team, and I feel very fortunate to be a part of it.
I’ve been doing sound professionally for about six years now. I started my journey back in the Philippines, which is home for me. I began as a foley technician and ADR recordist, gradually working my way into roles as a sound designer and re-recording mixer. I was also lucky enough to work as a production sound mixer on various projects, including a feature for Amazon Prime and a shoot in South Korea. Those early years were challenging, definitely a lot of growing pains. But looking back, I’m incredibly grateful for those experiences. They taught me so much and gave me the foundation I needed to get to where I am today.
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?
Never wait for the opportunity to come to you, you have to create it yourself. Working in sound has always been a dream of mine, but it’s a tough one to take on. The learning curve is steep, from navigating constantly evolving technology, to understanding each phase of post-production, to simply getting to know people and finding your place. It can feel intimidating, especially when you’re just starting out. But you have to take initiative. You start the work yourself. Reaching out, putting yourself in the room, and showing up with your best effort.
When someone offers a chance to edit, or lets you sit in on a mix session, you take it. One of the biggest turning points in my journey was when I reached out to a sound supervisor at Unbridled Sound, who also happened to be a fellow SCAD alum. She offered me a chance to tour the studio and chat and then was offered an intern position right after!
I was cleaning, doing grocery runs, even grabbing coffee for clients. But I also got to sit in on mix sessions with our sound supervisor, and watch editors bring scenes to life. I soaked up every second. It all started with reaching out and doing that first step.
When I moved to California, I didn’t know a single person. No friends, no connections. It was incredibly daunting. But I’ve found that sometimes all it takes is embracing that first awkward moment of introducing yourself, asking questions, just being open. That’s what led me to some of the most genuine, kind-hearted people I now get to call my closest friends. I’m truly grateful. These friendships didn’t come from networking events or polished introductions—they came from shared work, shared challenges, and just showing up consistently with humility and respect.
And I wouldn’t be here without my community, especially my family, my friends, and the mentors who supported me from the very beginning. The concept of “pakikipag-kapwa tao” which means “to be a fellow human” is something I carry from my Filipino culture. It’s about showing up for others, being part of something bigger than yourself.
Migrating from the Philippines to the U.S. was not easy emotionally, financially, and mentally, it was one of the hardest transitions I’ve ever made. But along the way, there’s been a long list of people both back home and here, who gave me support, guidance, and even just the encouragement to keep going. I’ll always carry deep gratitude for that.
I hope to someday be that person for others, the way others were for me. Whether it’s helping someone get their foot in the door, offering advice, or simply being someone they can talk to.
And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s to be kind. Everyone in this industry is on their own path, and beyond deadlines and editing suites, we’re all just trying to get through life. The people who helped me most weren’t just talented, they were kind. In film, where long nights and high-pressure situations are the norm, kindness is essential. You want to be surrounded by people who lift you up, who have your back, who help make the work feel meaningful and even laugh to lighten things. That’s the kind of collaborator and friend I strive to be.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
Being able to live, work, and build a life here in the U.S. is something I never take for granted. Before and during my time at SCAD, where I was pursuing my master’s degree in sound design, I was always planning to return home to the Philippines. That was the plan and that was the plan I told my parents. But at some point, I asked myself, “What if I just take my shot? Just one.”
What was supposed to be one year in the U.S. turned into two and eventually, I made the move straight from Savannah, Georgia to Los Angeles to chase the dream of becoming a sound designer in Hollywood.
It wasn’t an easy decision, especially for my family as we’re a tight-knit bunch. My parents had already made a huge sacrifice by supporting me financially through grad school. So, to then say I wanted to move to one of the most expensive cities in the world? It was a big ask. But despite how difficult it was for them emotionally, financially, logistically, they pushed me to go for it. They believed in me, even when I was unsure of myself.
There were so many moments when I’d call them in tears, overwhelmed by how hard everything felt and how much I missed home. But they were the ones reminding me to keep going. They’d say, “We raised you to be strong, to know who you are, and to trust that you’ll find your way.”
I want to repay them not because I have to, but because I genuinely want to. I want to show them how grateful I am for the way they raised me: a Filipina grounded in reality, open to the world’s challenges, but always choosing to face it with a smile and our heads held high. More than anything, I want to make them proud.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: andiidioma
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-teresa-idioma
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