Hong Kong to West London: Sky Sports sound team leader Rachel Oliver on getting it right first time, every time

Rachel Oliver first got into audio while working at Star TV in Hong Kong. She saw crew going off to other countries in the region on shoots, so she volunteered to join them as a sound operator on location. Here she is in Hong Kong on an MTV shoot for Star TV

From travelling Asia doing the sound for MTV and live sports shoots, to nearly three decades at Sky, Rachel Oliver, Sky Sports sound team leader, has had a remarkable career in sports broadcasting audio. We caught up with Oliver to find out about her career in audio after she had been on stage at the recent Sports Audio Summit, where she was on a panel discussing diversity and inclusion in sports broadcast sound.

How did you first find out about TV broadcasting as a career? What was your inspiration or idea, and why sports broadcasting?

I was hooked on television when I was young, you couldn’t drag me away. I would watch everything, never even considering I would be working within the industry; school careers advisors only suggested I became a PE teacher or air hostess. Through art I got into film making and whilst following a career in editing, I saw an opportunity to work in live sports broadcasting audio and took it, teaching myself enough technology needed to get in. My honest inspiration was to travel to new and exciting places, to work on major sports and entertainment events.

What draws you to your career in live sport?

It’s the challenge of being live, giving your all to get it right once. It’s hugely satisfying to come off air and know you’ve done the best possible job, resolved any issues and delivered a great mix.

Sky Sports sound team leader Rachel Oliver working on a Premier League Production

What’s the coolest thing you’ve worked on in the course of your career? Why?

Mixing one of Justin Bieber’s first live performances of ‘Baby’ on TV! No, seriously, probably working on a horse race across the desert in Qatar, in 1996 when it was a small town with one hotel! The whole crew had to jump into an old Russian helicopter to get to the next check point, interview the riders, then fly off over the desert to the next point. Crazy.

What did you study at university and how did that set you up for a career in audio?

I was an artist and went to uni to study photography and film production. I specialised in video editing, but no one wanted to do sound on any of the films we made, which made them pointless, so I learnt the basics of audio to improve the productions I was editing.

Rachel Oliver says one of the coolest productions she has ever worked on was here in Qatar, when she was on the case with audio for a horse race across the desert in 1996

What was your first job, how did you get it, what did it involve, and how did you feel about it?

I got an assistant editor job for Tyne Tees Television, straight after my degree show. I felt incredibly lucky to be selected and was glad I had taken a more craft specialism at uni, instead of directing or producing.

I seized every chance to get involved, attending the final online edit and audio dub which opened my eyes to the variety of roles available. I learnt how to get on with the two older male editors and I found a way to sneak in suggestions for improvements, without offending them. That was when I realised most roles were performed by men and I admit I thought back then that getting them onside was the only way they would accept me, rather than being ‘bossy’ as they would see it.

In general, comments made back then reinforced the perception that any successful women in the industry were tyrants, so I became very diplomatic and thought the best way was to just be excellent at my job.

What happened next?

I was full of hopes and dreams and moved to London, but there was a recession and no one was prepared to take a chance on me in a technical role. So I got on a plane and went to Hong Kong and began working for Star TV on sports and MTV. I was working in a darkened room and then saw crew going off to other countries in the region on shoots, so I saw a window to join them as a sound operator on location and was soon mixing on APGA golf, beach volleyball, tennis, badminton and many MTV shoots.

I only knew the basics at this point but was determined to work it out and get better, so I could travel all over and work on exciting productions around Asia. We would build OB galleries as events came up and I learnt quickly what was needed; I’m a very practical person, I learn through doing rather than reading, so gained a lot of experience on the job.

Sky Sports sound team leader Rachel Oliver hard at work in an OB

How did you start your career at Sky?

I joined Sky TV 28 years ago as a sound operator. I hadn’t had a lot of studio experience, having worked mostly on location, but was determined. Again, I was stepping into a very male environment and drew on my experience working with very technical men previously.  I was determined once more to do the best job possible, not to give anyone a reason to hold me back. I progressed to supervisor and began training others, which I did through encouragement and focus, as being shouted at and scared to death hadn’t helped me one bit. I supervised major news events such as general elections, mixed live music artists, worked across live sport events in studios and on OBs.

I am now one of four team leaders, managing a department of 44 people, ranging from junior operators to senior supervisors. Having performed all of these roles, I have a deep understanding of the challenges they face day to day.

On your current job role, why did you go for it?

It felt like time to move from mainly operational, to helping grow and develop the department, to make things better.  I was also in a more stable situation as my children were older and I could take on more responsibility.

What was hard about getting into the swing of things for your job?

I am not as technical as some of my colleagues, but being mainly self taught I have developed other skills, such as problem solving, multi-tasking, and I am very focussed. I can see when people are struggling and what they need to move forward.

I wouldn’t say it was hard, coming into an established group of male team leaders, as I had worked with all of them for many years, but I did overdo it to start with, feeling I had to outperform them to justify my place.

I learnt quickly that was a sure fire way to burn out and was unnecessary; they were my colleagues and a team, and I did have a voice. I realised I didn’t need to be better than them, as I deserved to be there.

At the tennis earlier on in her career, Rachel Oliver holding the boom for an interview

What’s the most complex thing about your role today?

Making sure everyone is getting the time and attention they need from me, especially the quiet ones. Recruitment is frustrating as very few women apply and I know the skills they can bring to a team.

What do you enjoy about it?

Seeing someone achieve something they never thought they would, like mixing a high profile event or finding a solution to a difficult issue. Ensuring everything is in place for the team to grow and succeed.  Supporting young women, who are such a minority in this field.

What challenges have you faced over the course of your career?

Feeling I had to work harder and be better than my male counterparts. I am a fairly strong character and was determined not to be overlooked, so did my absolute best work and pushed myself out of my comfort zone, ensuring I was given opportunities.

It’s very easy to sit back and think one day I’ll get noticed, but as women, being heard and recognised is one of the biggest challenges.

And finally, what advice would you give to other women looking to move into a role in sports broadcasting like your own?

You don’t have to change who you are.  You don’t have to prove yourself any more than your male colleagues, just believe in the skills you bring to the table.