A bit of history:
In 2004, my career in audio post-production began in the vibrant up and coming television industry of South Africa. I was fortunate to start at Red Pepper Pictures, where I immersed myself in an array of content—everything from lively children's TV shows to animated series, game shows, and documentaries. It was a whirlwind of creativity, and I thrived in the challenge of bringing sound to life across so many diverse projects. Those early years ignited a passion that has guided me ever since.
After a brief detour into the world of light electronics in telecoms, I found my way back to audio post-production at Urban Brew Studios. This was a pivotal moment. I completely overhauled their audio post workflow, making significant contributions to feature documentaries, sci-fi action dramas, magazine shows, and more. It was during this time that I realized my dream: to start my own facility and offer everything audio post-production - my way.
I began in a converted garage, where my passion for sound and dedication to quality drove me to build a solid reputation. Over time, I became a major name in South Africa’s audio post industry, working on some truly amazing projects. From reality and unscripted TV shows in surround sound for Nat Geo, Animal Planet, Discovery Networks, and Fox Crime, to building strong relationships with clients who trusted me to deliver exceptional results, I found my place in this industry.
One of the most challenging and rewarding projects came when I moved my studio to Blade Works - a major production company. I worked on Coke Studio Africa 2017 & 2019, delivering over 200 episodes across 13 African countries. It was an intense period - cutting, dubbing, and fitting the episodes to match each territory’s broadcast requirements with relevant content. Alongside this, I worked on telenovelas, TV commercials, and high-end TV series for platforms like Prime Video and Netflix. Every project was a new opportunity to push the boundaries of what audio post-production could achieve.
As my studio grew, I moved again, creating a larger space and teaming up with more companies like Battalion Media. This expansion allowed me to work on even more original TV series and TV commercials for numerous other production houses and facilities - Like Netflix's Young Famous and African and the internationally acclaimed, multi award winning and SAFTA winning Feature Documentary - Murder in Paris, eventually becoming Publicis Groupe Africa’s preferred supplier for all audio post-production needs and many more. Life was busy, fulfilling, and deeply connected to the vibrant pulse of South Africa’s production industry.
But as things in South Africa began to change and most of my family had already left, I faced one of the most difficult decisions of my life. I had built a successful career, a respected name, and a thriving business, but the safety and future of my family, especially my two small children, became the priority. With a heavy heart, I made the emotional decision to move to the UK, hoping to secure a better future for ourselves.
Even though I'm a British citizen, a large portion of my family live here and my father was born around the corner from where I live now, arriving in the UK was both daunting and exciting. I joined a small boutique VFX and post-production company, where I continued to hone my craft. However, after two years, I was made redundant due to a downturn in work. Instead of seeing this as a setback, I embraced it as an opportunity. I’m now offering my audio post-production services from a facility in Brighouse, fully equipped with 5.1 surround sound capabilities, while also freelancing across the North of England, between Manchester and Leeds.
Building new contacts, creating a presence, and proving myself in the UK production industry has been an exhilarating journey. I’m moving fast, determined to show the talented production teams here that I’m the right choice for their audio post needs. My love for this craft is unwavering. I invest myself fully in every project, ensuring that the sound not only meets technical standards but also connects emotionally with the audience. This dedication often leads me to spend more time on projects than planned, simply because I won’t settle for anything less than my very best.
My journey from South Africa to the UK has been filled with challenges and triumphs, but through it all, my passion for sound and storytelling has remained constant. I’m excited for the future and the new opportunities that lie ahead.
I'd like to extend massive gratitude towards all the many people who helped me along the way, including but not limited to: My loving wife, and family | my original Mentor - Kenny Van Rensburg | Freddy Louw - one of the most creative genius people I know | The amazing Digital Union team | Master of the Universe Josh Feldman | Steve Harris, Warren Bleksley and the team from the mighty Blade Works | The Battalion Media Team lead by Mills De Carvalho | Enver Samuel from EMS productions and Alex Gregson from 344 audio. Without your help, I'd not be where I am today. My humble apologies for missing all the other instrumental influencers and amazing people who also contributed towards my success, There'll be another post about this soon... Thanks for Reading, Ant
Comments