Andy Wright will mix it with the biggest names in Hollywood next week after being nominated for two Academy Awards.
Mr Wright, who grew up in Penshurst, boarded a flight for Los Angeles today to attend the 89th Academy Awards being staged next Monday afternoon (AEDT time).
He has been nominated for two Oscars for sound editing and sound mixing on Hacksaw Ridge, directed by fellow Australian Mel Gibson.
“We had an idea the film may be nominated for sound editing and sound mixing, but it still didn't dampen the excitement and the pride for the whole Hacksaw Ridge sound team when it was announced.”
Mr Wright, who works for Australian post-production company Soundfirm, has been nominated for both awards alongside Robert Mackenzie.
“Robert Mackenzie and I have worked together on and off for over 15 years.
“Roger [Savage, the Soundfirm Australia chief executive] put Rob and I forward to supervise the sound on Hacksaw Ridge,” Mr Wright said.
“Rob is fabulous to work with. He is a super, intelligent guy and has a great knowledge of film history and audio techniques.”
The duo are up for the sound editing award together, and share the nomination for sound mixing with Kevin O'Connell and Peter Grace.
“Kevin is a 40-year veteran of Hollywood sound and was amazing to work with.
“He straight away slotted into the dynamic Rob and I had developed over 15 years and made the flow of the sound mix so easy for us all.”
Mr Wright started at Soundfirm, in Sydney, doing work experience after high school and has worked his way up with the organisation. The 36-year-old will attend the Oscars with his partner, Leah, while his two children aged 2 and 4 will watch the awards at his parents’ home in Penshurst.
He is still based in Sydney and spends plenty of time back in St George.
“My parents are in Penshurst, my sister lives in Oatley and I have many family and friends throughout St George and the Sutherland Shire, so I still spend quite a bit of time in the area.”
Mr Wright attended the BAFTAs earlier this month in London, where Hacksaw Ridge was up for best sound, but missed out on the big award.
Mr Wright’s mother Pamela Wright said she was very proud of her son’s achievements.
“We were extremely excited when we heard he had been nominated, but not surprised because he has worked very hard and is talented in that field,” she said.
“It is very exciting for the family and we hope he wins, but either way it is a wonderful experience.”
She said he was very outgoing as a teenager. “When he was in Year 10 he won a scholarship to ATYP [Australian Theatre For Young People] for acting.”
His auntie Georgena Wright said the whole family were rapt for him, and often stayed behind in films to watch the credits, and see his name run across the screen.
Mr Wright attended Marist College Kogarah.
- Films up for the same awards:
- Sound mixing: Arrival, Hacksaw Ridge, La La Land, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi.
- Sound editing: Arrival, Deepwater Horizon, Hacksaw Ridge, La La Land, Sully.