Meet Our Media & Entertainment Team

As well as being a leading technical and creative services platform for the video games industry, Keywords Studios also has an increasing profile in the broader Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector, working with clients including Netflix, Amazon and Apple TV+.

Recently we spoke with Julie Wasdell (Global Manager), Alexia Mayoral (Audio Project Coordinator), and Raul Valadez (Production Manager) to get a picture of what life is like working in M&E for Keywords Studios. 

Here’s what they had to say. 

What does your typical day at work look like?

Julie: I am a jack of all trades, working on everything from business development to production. I love getting new clients on board as well as maintaining existing relationships with broadcasters, streaming platforms and content partners. I also love working closely with the team in the studio and being part of the creative process. I feel lucky and privileged to have input from the beginning to the end of our projects.

Alexia: I communicate the project’s needs to the rest of the team and follow up to make sure everything functions in the best way possible. The area I enjoy focusing on the most is pre-production – getting everything ready so the team can focus on what they do best.

Raul: I oversee the whole production, from quotations to scheduling recordings and proposing directors and translators. I’m always connected to the entire team (the Audio Production Coordinator, the Recording and Post Production Engineers, the QA people) I make sure everything is delivered to the client at the highest quality.

How did you get into Media + Entertainment at Keywords? What inspired your career path?

Julie: I got into Media & Entertainment when I joined MTV back in 2002 (I suddenly feel very old!). As a teen I wanted to be a musician or a sound engineer, and having moved to London in 1998 to pursue my studies further ended doing an MA in Media Studies in 2000 whilst doing some work experience in a production company. Now, more than 20 years later, I am doing a job that I absolutely love.

Alexia: I’ve always had a passion for storytelling. I love how picture, sound and movement come together to tell a story.

Raul: I got into this sector by coincidence. I started at a dubbing company as a talent co-ordinator, and suddenly fell in love with the profession. I gained the trust and confidence of my bosses and started developing more until I could manage a studio, and now 14 years later the thrill still hasn’t faded of seeing something I’m proud of in a theatre or on the TV. 

What have you gained from working in Keywords M+E?

Julie: Working in the recording studio puts you at the heart of the creative process, which I love. Attending castings and recordings and meeting directors and actors has been an extremely valuable experience.

Alexia: I have gained a better understanding of the industry and of the global workflows involved. It has been a very interesting experience in a huge variety of ways.

Raul: To know and meet highly experienced people all around the world, who always have a smile on their face and are always happy to help you – that’s wonderful, and I also love the satisfaction of knowing we will always deliver an excellent product because of the great team around me. 

What do you like best about working for Keywords Studios?

Julie: The people, without a doubt. The Liquid Violet team is like a family to me, and the global Media + Entertainment collective, led by wonder-woman Elodie Powers, is a group of very humble but extremely talented people.

Alexia: The amazing group of people from all over the world with whom I’ve had the privilege of working, as well as being part of so many incredible projects.

Raul: The ability to ‘travel’ around to the whole world in a single day at the office. You can talk with someone in Montreal at 9am then someone in Italy at 11am and finally someone in L.A. at 6pm. Also, the amazing people who will be always glad to help with any query.

And, finally, what advice would you give to job seekers considering a career in Media + Entertainment?

Julie: Be passionate, always aim for the best and work hard. It will be rewarding in the long run. Also, watch and take an interest in TV!

Alexia: I would say to definitely try out different areas of it as soon as possible to better understand which one you would be the perfect fit for. Media + Entertainment has a place for many kinds of skills and people.

Raul: Always look for the details. Don’t stop believing, keep studying, and be nice.