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Featured Film Career Feb 2025

Featured Film Career for February 2025: Production Sound Manager/Boom Operator

Martin Bjorå, originally from Norway, now based in Oklahoma City where he work as a Production Sound Mixer, Boom Op and UST, has ten years of experience in sound. His previous work includes productions like “Reservation Dogs,” “The Huntsman” and various commercials for companies like Nike, Purina and AT&T.

How did you get started in the film industry?

At 16, I landed an apprenticeship at a sound studio in Oslo—Universal Sound (now Nr14)—where I learned the ropes. Starting from cleaning and making coffee, I gradually moved up to engineering voiceover, dubbing and ADR sessions. By 17, I had my first nationally televised mix on Norwegian TV.

Did you have any formal education or training related to your specific department on-set?

I pursued further education at The Norwegian School of TV Production, earning a bachelor’s degree in Sound Production for Single-Camera TV Production.

What are some of your most recent successes (credits or accolades) related to your career in the industry?

I guess the production I’m mostly excited about that I’ve done recently is a Netflix documentary about one of the players on the Oklahoma City Thunder. I am a huge OKC Thunder fan, and getting a look behind the scenes of his life outside of basketball has been really fun.

What has your career in the state’s film industry taught you?

Oklahoma has a very small crew base. So it’s important to develop relationships with everyone across all departments, because chances are you’ll work with them again in the future.

What is the highlight of your career thus far?

It’s hard to pin point exactly what the highlights of my career have been so far, I’ve been very fortunate and worked with some immensely talented people. From Ethan Hawke, Martin Sheen, Tony Hawke, a bunch of thunder players and OU athletes, and all the incredibly talented crew members on “Reservation Dogs.”

What is your favorite aspect of working in Oklahoma’s film and television industry?

I love being able to walk on a set on day one, and already know over half the crew base. It makes it a lot easier being comfortable on set, knowing you’re amongst friends.

What’s the best piece of advice you have for someone starting their career in Oklahoma’s film industry?

I came to the U.S. and Oklahoma with zero connections in the industry, so I know what it’s like to truly start from the ground up. Here are some things that I did that helped me:
  • Go to every single event that is even remotely film related.
  • Talk to anyone and everyone, make an effort to remember their names, where they’re from, what they do, because as I said earlier chances are you’ll work with them at some point.
  • Contact crew members who are established in the position you want to do. If you can befriend them, chances are they will be inclined to give you a shot.
  • Be patient, it takes time to build a network.
  • There is a huge social component needed to be successful in the film industry, you have to develop certain social antennas to be able to navigate this line of work.

How does someone in your field/department best promote/market themselves to those hiring in your industry?

I got my first gig from the Oklahoma Film + Music Office’s production crew listing. Other than that is probably Facebook.

Are there any local film organizations, resources or events that have been beneficial to you in your career?

The film I’m currently working on, I got by going to an Oklahoma Motion Picture Alliance (OKMPA) event, though the person who got me the job I originally met by going to a dead center event. Film day at the capitol is also essential to attend.

What’s the one item you can’t live without on set, and why?

Besides my gear, it’s probably my water bottle. Stay hydrated folks, Oklahoma weather knows no mercy.

Would your career be impacted without the state’s film incentive program? If so, how?

It’s hard to speculate about these things, but chances are that I’ve worked on productions that probably wouldn’t have come to Oklahoma without the rebate.

Where do you see yourself – AND – Oklahoma’s film industry in the next five years?

Oklahoma film industry’s future looks good, but we NEED to increase the rebate. Right now, we are losing productions to states like Michigan, Kentucky and Louisiana, as their rebate incentives are exceeding ours. I also believe we have proved that we deserve a bigger rebate, we have utilized the rebate we already have to the fullest, while continuously growing and training our local crew base.

What are you working on now or next?

Right now I am working on a Christmas movie called “The One,” set to be released later this year.
Each featured individual or business is given the provided questions to answer in their own voice. Other than formatting and grammar, the answers are personal to each featured voice, and are not provided by the Oklahoma Film + Music Office.

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