Governors Bobbi Banks and Chris Reeves discuss the wide range of elements involved in the craft of sound editing and the time it can take to create a track — sometimes hours for a minute of screen time.
Governor Spotlight: Sound Editors
Conversations with the elected representatives for each Academy peer group
Get to Know Our Sound Editors Governors
Click a name below to learn more about our peer-group leaders
Chris Reeves
Briefly describe what you do.
Sound editors create a sonic soundscape to enhance the story of film and television projects.
What motivated you to become a governor?
I wanted to be a proactive representative of our peer group and be a productive voice on the board.
What are some of your proudest accomplishments or credits?
I greatly enjoyed my time editing on The X-Files, Lost, Alias, Brooklyn 99 and Superstore. Transitioning from analogue to digital was a fun time in my career.
How do you stay informed about emerging trends and developments within your field, and how has that helped support your peer group?
I stay informed by industry periodicals, conventions and exhibitions, and word of mouth. Having the latest knowledge allows me to voice the needed changes to keep the awards relevant to our peer group.
What do you hope to accomplish for your peer group as a governor?
Well, I've done much of what I wanted to do in my five-plus years as a governor. Helping get a half-hour sound editing category. And later, having that category tracked to split animation from live action.
What do you like most about being a governor at the Television Academy?
The chance to interact with both my peers and the peers from other groups so that we can better understand how our work meshes together.
Bobbi Banks
Briefly describe what you do.
I am a supervising sound editor, which encompasses the managing of the overall sound editing team on a project, which includes dialogue, ADR, FX, Foley and sound design that translates the director’s vision into reality for the viewer.
What motivated you to become a governor?
To help educate others on our craft, create more opportunities for member engagement, highlight sound editors and educate about upcoming software and AI. I also wanted to contribute to help make positive change that creates impact for our industry.
What are some of your proudest accomplishments or credits?
Some of my accomplishments are: I have been in the industry over 30 years being a woman and a person of color with over 140 projects and counting. I am the first Black female sound editor and the first Black mix tech. I am a former president of Motion Picture Sound Editors, and I have chaired and served on committees at the Motion Picture Academy and Television Academy. I am currently on the Industry Council for Roybal Film & Television Magnet High School, and I continue to mentor, speak on panels and speak to students in classrooms.
How do you stay informed about emerging trends and developments within your field, and how has that helped support your peer group?
By word of mouth, being notified by various plugin companies, workshops and panels.
What do you hope to accomplish for your peer group as a governor?
To help to educate others on our craft, create more opportunities for member engagement and educate about upcoming software and AI. I also want to contribute to help make positive changes that create impact for our industry.
What do you like most about being a governor at the Television Academy?
Helping to implement changes in this industry to have a positive influence, hearing the concerns of members and the best way to address their concerns. And collaboration with other governors has brought various perspectives and ideas that have been invaluable.