Two BAFTA nominations for LIPA Sound Tech grads

Two Sound Technology graduates from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) have been nominated for awards at this year’s BAFTAs. 

Joe Beal (2012) and Tom Melling (2017) are both shortlisted in the Sound: Fiction category at the 2024 British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Television Craft Awards. Joe’s been recognised for his work on Slow Horses (Apple TV+) and Tom for The Witcher (Netflix). 

Tom says the nomination came as a shock. “It’s almost a year since we finished mixes for the last season, and I didn’t know the nominations were being announced. I’m really excited for the whole team to receive recognition for their hard work.”  Joe agrees, “It’s a great feeling for your work to be recognised by your peers. We put in a lot of effort that can often fly under the radar, so it’s nice to have an opportunity to speak about it and advocate for our craft.” 

Joe, who works for Boom Post, is supervising sound editor on Slow Horses. He says it’s a rewarding production to be part of. “The dark comedy tone of the show lends itself to over-the-top sound editorial, you can really ramp up the comedy of a scene with sound. Being able to contribute so much with simple editorial decisions - squeaky chairs, rattily doors, loud horns - is really satisfying.” 

Working for Phaze UK as re-recording mixer, Tom says he enjoys the challenges that fantasy drama The Witcher presents. “It’s about being able to create unique sounding creatures and elements to heighten the Witcher world and ensure that scale and size comes across when watched at home on TV or on a phone with headphones.” 

The BAFTA Awards recognise and celebrate outstanding storytellers and the craft that goes into making films, games and TV shows that enrich our culture. The awards are announced on Sunday 28 April. 

Image: BAFTA/Sarah M. Lee