My First Experience Recording Audio for a Feature Film Shot in the Rio Grande Valley

Recording sound for a feature film had always felt like one of those “someday” milestones in my career. That someday finally arrived with Eggnog Sugar Cookies and Misery, a dark comedy directed by Joe Rios and filmed entirely in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. The film tells the story of a father trying to reconnect with his daughter, balancing heartfelt moments with humor—and for me, it marked my first time recording audio professionally for a feature film.

Filmmaking in the Rio Grande Valley, South Texas

One of the most rewarding parts of this project was seeing a feature film come together right here in the RGV. Independent filmmaking in South Texas comes with its own set of challenges, but it also comes with a strong sense of community and collaboration. Every location, every setup, and every compromise reminded me just how resourceful filmmakers in this region have to be—and how much pride goes into telling stories locally.

My Audio Setup for the Film

For this project, I recorded all production sound using a Sound Devices MixPre-3 audio recorder. We didn’t use timecode, so the entire shoot relied on old-fashioned slating for syncing audio in post. It was a great reminder that solid fundamentals still matter, especially on ultra-independent film productions.

Most of the dialogue was captured using RØDE Wireless GO II microphones as body packs paired with RØDE SmartLav+ lavalier microphones. This setup offered flexibility and speed, which was crucial given the pace and constraints of the shoot.

What I Learned Recording Sound for the First Time

Like any first experience, this project came with a steep learning curve—and a lot of valuable lessons.

Wind protection is critical, sometimes even indoors. One reality of ultra-independent filmmaking is that you may not have the option to shut off air conditioning or control every environmental factor. Even subtle airflow can ruin an otherwise great take, so proper wind protection quickly became a priority.

Concealing lav microphones is harder than most YouTubers make it seem. Fabric choice matters—a lot. Polyester shirts, which are extremely common, are especially unforgiving. Taping a mic directly to that kind of fabric often leads to noise and friction. When possible, adding an extra layer like a jacket or overshirt and placing the mic there made a noticeable difference in audio quality.

Boom operating is more physically demanding than it looks. Holding a boom mic for extended periods is intense, and I quickly learned that a good stretching routine isn’t optional—it’s necessary.

Communication Makes Better Sound

One of the coolest things I learned on this project is that there’s almost always more than one way to solve a problem. If a microphone was picking up too much ambient noise on one side of a room, it wasn’t impossible to suggest moving to another side. If a lav placement wasn’t working, speaking up and fixing it was always the better option.

Everyone on the team wanted the best possible result, and being open, honest, and collaborative made that easier for everyone. Good sound isn’t just about gear—it’s about communication and problem-solving.

Looking Ahead

Recording audio for Eggnog Sugar Cookies and Misery was challenging, humbling, and incredibly rewarding. It gave me a new respect for production sound and a strong foundation to build on. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work on a feature film filmed right here in South Texas, and I’m excited to keep learning, improving, and recording sound on future projects.