For each day in the month of February, the Committee will be highlighting African-American members, both past and present, and their accomplishments. We look forward to showing the contributions and influences African-Americans have had on the industry.
Name: Jesse Dodd, AMPAS, CAS, MPEG
What is your job? I work in post production sound. Specifically, I am an ADR and Foley Re-recording Mixer. Currently working at NBC Universal.
What are you working on now? “Law and Order SVU,” “Superstore,” “Chicago Med,” “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago PD,” “Emergence,” “Dirty John,” “FBI,” “FBI Most Wanted,” to name a few
Who and what are your influences and/or mentors ? There are many who have encouraged me. However, I would have to say that my family is my biggest influence and supporter. They have been there through it all. When the mics are off and the protool session is closed and delivered, they are there to clap and give me that sometimes needed pat on the back. Special mention to Bobbi Banks…whose professional walk always brings a smile to my face ❤️??❤️
What books are you reading, shows are you watching and/or movies you’re excited about ? I am excited about all of my work which keeps me in the forefront and updated on TV/Film content. I am also big concert, festival and museum goer. But actually, I now have the travel bug!! Most recently, I went to Singapore, Taiwan and Malaysia. This year, I will again be going to out of the country. So traveling is my new muse.
What would be your superhero name? Bcharmer: the empath empress of world healing
What are your Black History Month memories, and what cultural or historical impacts have they had on your life? I was here for the Watts riots in 1965, I was here for the “LA civil unrest” in 1992, and I was here for the election of the first black president Barack Obama…twice!!! These were world changing events that shaped my vision. However, on a cinematic level, it appears, according to urban legend, I am “the first and only” black female “Post Production Sound Department ADR/Foley Re-recording Mixer”…on this level…on the planet. So I guess, low key, I am an industry cultural and historical impact on my own life. ☺️☺️
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? Be kind…tell the truth…work hard…and last but not least…put your head down and mix.??
If you could time travel, when would you go and why? I would go to the future. As long as I can remember, I have been fascinated with space age, technology and futuristic things. “Star Wars” and “Star Trek” were always my favorites. I feel like I belong there and it makes me feel at home, whenever I am dealing with things of advanced time travel and societies.
What’s a little known fact about you? What are your hidden (or not so hidden) talents? I listen to hear…process…and understand. I watch to learn. In a world of many sounds…I think this is a under-rated talent.
What would be your dream project to work on? In all honesty, I am soo honored and humbled at the work I get to do on a daily basis. I feel that each project has magic that I give to and get from it. That being said, there are some new creators that I would love to work with in the future. However, being in the specific “post sound” medium that I am in, and not editorial. Ninety-nine percent of my shows are company driven and not part of the…“I want my crew to look like and be like this”…consciousness. It is a wonderful thing that, that consciousness now exists!!! I am grateful and excited for all work that I am blessed to be a part of, and believe the universe will send those creators my way and I theirs. Until then, I will continue to sharpen my skills and always give each and every project 100+% of my professional and creative chacha. If you stay ready…you don’t have to get ready!!!
