Florida Sound Man, Joe Giannotti, Sound Mixer for Fort Lauderdale and Broward County, Tampa-based
I have worked as a Location Sound Recordist on thousands of broadcast television productions for networks including ESPN, ABC, HBO, TNT, BBC, Discovery Channel, NatGeo, NFL Network, MLB Network, HGTV and more… Trusted on Emmy Award-winning productions.
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01Fort LauderdaleSound mixer in Fort Lauderdale
I'm Joe Giannotti, a Tampa-based production sound mixer covering Fort Lauderdale and Broward County with a complete package. It is about four hours across Alligator Alley from my home base, billed at mileage, which costs far less than flying a mixer and gear cases into FLL. Full-time since 2008, with thousands of broadcast productions for networks including ESPN, ABC, HBO, TNT, BBC, Discovery Channel, NatGeo, NFL Network, MLB Network and HGTV.
What I record in Fort Lauderdale
Documentary · sports · commercial
- Documentary & series: multi-day documentary series work in Fort Lauderdale and western Broward, and single-camera interviews in hotel suites. Documentary sound →
- Sports: athlete profiles and day-in-the-life shoots for network sports. ENG & broadcast sound →
- Commercial & corporate: TV spots and corporate video, with IFB so the client hears every take. Commercial sound → Corporate video sound →
- Credits and trailers: the credits page and watch the work.
What to plan for in Fort Lauderdale
Aircraft, boats and bridges
- Aircraft: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International is right next to the port and a few minutes from the beach hotels. Locations near the airport and the port get regular jet noise.
- Boats and bridges: the Intracoastal and the canals are busy with yachts, water taxis and tour boats, and the drawbridges sound their bells when they open. Waterfront interviews work better with the mics in close.
- Trains: Brightline and freight trains run through downtown Fort Lauderdale all day. It is worth checking how close an interview location is to the tracks.
- Beach wind and afternoon storms: mornings are calmer on the beach, and summer storms build most afternoons. Exteriors first, interiors after lunch. What Florida does to a shoot day →
The math on hiring Tampa-based sound
Mileage beats airfare
- Travel past 50 miles from Tampa is billed at the standard federal mileage rate. That costs far less than airfare, excess-baggage fees on gear cases, a rental car and per diem for a mixer from out of state.
- Multi-day South Florida shoots are routine; I keep lodging costs low and the invoice simple.
- Same complete package on every job: Sound Devices 833, wireless lavs, boom, timecode, IFB, redundant recording. Full gear list →
Common questions
Who can I hire for production sound in Fort Lauderdale?
I'm Joe Giannotti (Florida Sound Man), a Tampa-based production sound mixer covering Fort Lauderdale and Broward County. Full-time since 2008, with thousands of broadcast productions for networks including ESPN, HBO, Discovery and NatGeo. Text 813-716-8826.
Why hire a Tampa-based mixer for a Fort Lauderdale shoot?
Cost, mostly. You pay mileage instead of airfare, baggage fees on the gear, a rental car and per diem. You also get 18 years of working in Florida heat, salt air and storms.
Can you record on boats and at the beach?
Yes. Wind protection goes on every mic, the gear is prepped for salt air, and I've recorded on rivers and open water for 18+ years.
Can one booking cover Fort Lauderdale, Miami and West Palm Beach?
Yes. If the shoot moves around South Florida, I move with it. Text me the dates and locations and I'll quote it as one trip.
More: Miami · West Palm Beach · Fort Myers & Naples · Location sound recordist, statewide · Local sound vs. flying a mixer in · What Florida does to a shoot day
Shooting in Fort Lauderdale?
Text me your dates, location and how many people need to be mic'd, and I'll get you a quote the same day.
Full-time since 2008 · 18+ years · thousands of productions