Cuppa with UNIT’s Scripted QC and Delivery Manager, Momoko Abe
We sat down for a chat with Momoko Abe to discuss all things UNIT. Here’s what he had to say…
- What first got you interested in post-production?
I studied Media & Cultural Studies in Nottingham and Audio & Visual Production in London. I made short films during these courses and I enjoyed the post production side of the process the most.
- What’s the most rewarding part of supporting a seamless post pipeline?
Meeting deadlines. Sometimes things won’t go according to plan due to creatives’ busy and complicated schedules and last minute changes etc. My department (QC and Delivery) is at the final part of the pipeline so we often end up facing tight deadlines. It’s nice when team work gets us through and we meet the deadlines.
- How has it been joining the UNIT team? Any standout moments so far?
It’s been great thanks to my colleagues. I used to work with some of my colleagues at different places so it’s a bit like a reunion. They are good at what they do. I think it’s very important to work with someone you can trust and have a good laugh with.
- Tell us something about your role that most people wouldn’t expect?
I guess not many people know my job (QC) exists to begin with. Most of my friends don’t believe my job is to watch TV programmes and spot a boom in shot or crew in reflection (among other issues). It is a time consuming process (depending on the programme but it usually takes 3-5 hours to QC a 60 min episode) but there are things we still need human eyes and it actually saves time down the line.
- What advice would you give to someone starting out in post-production today?
I didn’t know what QC was when I got into this industry as a runner. My advice would be to keep your mind open. Even if your mind is set on a certain role in post production when you start out, give yourself time to explore the industry. Who knows? Something unexpected might interest you more.
- What are you watching / reading right now?
I usually watch crime dramas (although I watch A LOT at work, I can’t seem to have enough of them) but I’m currently going through all the seasons of The Handmaid’s Tale. Book wise, I tend to read multiple books at the same time, depending on my mood. I’m currently reading Idaho by Emily Ruskovich, Good Material by Dolly Alderton, The Unfolding of Language by Guy Deutscher and Hodge’s History of Cats by Kirsten Tambling.
