Episode 7 of The Switch Podcast, hosted by Chase Savage, focuses on a perspective that sits at the intersection of the film’s two most critical technical areas: sound and video. Featuring Kate Ridgeway, a Creative Technologies major at the University of Evansville, the episode documents what it means to move between departments on a production built for learning.
Unlike many of the previous guests, Ridgeway contributed to The Switch through both the audio and video classes. That dual role provides a clear look at how the film was constructed from multiple angles—not just creatively, but technically. Throughout the conversation, she describes a semester spent learning the fundamentals of sound production, from microphone placement and boom operation to working with mixers and recording devices, while also applying prior experience in video production.
The episode outlines how the audio team approached both production and post-production. Ridgeway explains that much of the semester was spent building foundational knowledge: understanding how sound devices function, practicing mic placement, and learning how to capture clean dialogue. From there, the work expanded into post-production, where the team recorded voiceover lines, captured ambient sound, and recreated subtle environmental details that are often overlooked by audiences.
These details—cars passing by, birds, footsteps, the sound of utensils during a meal—form the background of the film’s world. Ridgeway emphasizes that while these sounds may go unnoticed during viewing, they are essential to making a scene feel complete. Without them, the film risks feeling flat or disconnected from reality.
Her experience also reflects the broader structure of The Switch as a project. Because the film was shot in a single day, with approximately 25 people moving in and out of the set, roles were fluid. Ridgeway moved between responsibilities, at one point stepping in to operate the sound mixer, calling “sound speed,” tracking takes, and coordinating with the production team. This flexibility was not incidental; it was built into the design of the course, where students are expected to learn by doing, often outside of a single defined role.
That structure creates moments where learning happens in real time. Students are not only applying what they practiced in class but adapting to the needs of the production as they arise. Ridgeway describes this as both challenging and valuable, particularly in a fast-paced environment where technical precision and timing matter.
The episode also reinforces one of the core themes present across the entire podcast series: exposure leads to discovery. Ridgeway entered the project with more familiarity in video production but found herself more drawn to audio after working with it directly. This shift highlights the importance of hands-on experience in shaping student interests, especially in fields like film and media where multiple disciplines intersect.
Beyond the technical discussion, the conversation briefly expands into Ridgeway’s broader interests, including sports media and broadcasting. Her background working live events and her upcoming internship at a news station point toward how projects like The Switch function not only as creative work, but as preparation for professional pathways.
The episode closes by returning to the film itself, specifically highlighting one of its most visually and emotionally significant moments: the candlelit scene following the power outage. Ridgeway identifies this as her favorite part of the film, noting how lighting and atmosphere contribute to the emotional weight of the final conversation between father and son. It is a moment where multiple elements—performance, lighting, and sound—converge, reflecting the collaborative nature of the project as a whole.
Episode 7 reinforces a consistent takeaway across The Switch Podcast: the film is not only a finished product, but a process. Each participant contributes from a different position, and each role reveals a different layer of what it takes to build a story. By working across both sound and video, Ridgeway’s experience illustrates how those layers connect—and how students learn to navigate them in real time.
The Switch will premiere on May 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the Lutz Lab in Hyde Hall at the University of Evansville as part of the Creative Technology Showcase. Following the screening, the film and all related content—including podcasts, music, and behind-the-scenes material—will be available at fireside.evansville.edu/the-switch-movie.
To continue expanding projects like this, support for UE Student Media remains essential. Contributions help provide the equipment, resources, and infrastructure needed to sustain and grow student-driven productions at this level.