Meet Mark Patino | Production Sound Mixer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mark Patino and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mark, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When I first graduated from college in film, I needed a place to start. So, I applied for jobs on craigslist as a boom operator. My first gig was for an AFI school project. I was hired and introduced to the sound person on set, whom I would be booming for. He, through several AFI short projects taught me everything I needed to know about booming and sound recording on a set. We had a good working relationship after that first job. With the knowledge that I gained from him, I ended up buying my own gear and started looking for jobs on my own and getting hired with the help of friends that I met on these productions. I loved what I was doing and still love it. I love being my own boss. It’s fun to be on a set and meeting new people. It’s fun to think back to how I started. Because of these experiences, I ended up creating my own company, Soundbreaker Productions, which I’m very proud of. I am so grateful for everyone I’ve met along the way and everyone who has helped me to become a better person in my craft and who’s hired me to work on their project.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The first challenge I experienced was what most college students experience and that’s what do I want to do for the rest of my life. My initial answer was becoming an accountant like my Dad. I love numbers and math. Then, during the process, I realized I didn’t want to sit behind a desk for the rest of my life. I wanted to do more. I loved making short movies with my friends when I was a kid. That’s what I wanted to do. I wanted to work in the movie industry. At first I wanted to do camera. We had a group project in film class and had a day where everyone chose what they wanted to do on the project. I was sick the day everyone got to choose, or I would have chosen camera dept had I been there. The next week, I came in and they said I was sound. I, reluctantly, said ok. I ended up learning all about the art of sound. It turned out to be something I really enjoyed doing. I started working on other people’s projects from then on till graduation. The next challenge was finding a job that pays after graduation. I looked at craigslist and other sites and was lucky to be hired as a boom operator on a short film project at AFI for $15/day. I jumped at it. I worked with the sound person on that and he hired me for his next project, which was $100/day. He taught me how to be a proper sound person and introduced me to other sound people and recommended me on jobs to be the sound person. I worked really hard to get where I am. I am lucky to have met so many great people and to have traveled all around the world and see things tourists don’t even get to see. I’ve learned to be humble cause you’re going to have some good days and some bad days. And you’ll want to give up when things dry up. But, keep plugging away and never take anything for granted. Have fun.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I had a friend come to town for a week long trip, depending on time of year, I would take them to the beach, if it was summer. I would take them to a day trip to the mountains to ski or go sledding, if it was winter. If they liked sports, I would take them to see the Anaheim Ducks play some hockey. If they have kids, I would get tickets and take them to Disneyland or Universal Studios. Maybe take a road trip to Vegas for some gambling and good food. There’s so much to do in and around Los Angeles. LA has great Mexican food, steakhouses, etc.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to dedicate this to my family for believing in me. My Mom and Dad for supporting me when I wanted to change majors from Accounting to Film. For helping me buy my sound gear when I was first starting out. For the love and support of my wife and daughter who are troopers when I have to travel for work or work late. To my brother for being one of my biggest supporters out there. I want to thank Lawrence Fried and James Berek for teaching me how to be a good sound mixer. To everyone who has hired me to do sound for their projects. Thank you!

Instagram: blazer91606

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC53hrg0KQcj8hGBwgN1VrIw

Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1325828/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

Image Credits
Michelle (wife) Marielena (Daughter) Rudy (Dad) Norma (Mom) Josh Salzman (Friend & Camera)