A visit to HBO provides Sound Production students insight into an industry leader

Students saw first-hand how HBO handles the post-production process

They remembered the visceral images as vividly as the new information. The data servers were large and loud. The soundproof doors were heavy. The offices and equipment were gleaming.

“When we walked in, there was just a wall of awards,” said Xarlee Gioyard, a student from New Rochelle. “That definitely inspired me. I looked at that and was like, ‘Wow.’”

Sound Production students at the Center for Career Services left their recent visit to HBO Studio Productions in Manhattan awed by the experience. They toured the space, saw HBO employees editing unreleased footage and had an opportunity to pose questions.

“Having an opportunity to see the behind-the-scenes process that went into their work really gave me more appreciation for it,” said Aurora Johnson, a student from Alexander Hamilton in Elmsford.

Instructor Sean Harty stressed to his students to observe the purposeful, cohesive post-production process at HBO, what he called “one of the big dogs of the industry.”

“For Sound students, they saw what can happen when you work to perfect the audio at that level,” Mr. Harty said. “When you do, you see the magic that can happen.”

In addition to the high-level production work, students were wowed by the high-tech equipment and new office and studio space, which is located at Hudson Yards.

The students eagerly snapped photos, especially of the expansive 38th-floor views. 

“It was a great experience all around,” Zach Rechtschaffen of Scarsdale said. “To see the process and the work that people put into their jobs, why it happens, how it happens — it was pretty cool for us.”