What SWM does

Sound With Motion (SWM) is a privately-held, founder-led audio and video production and post-production services company based in Santa Monica, California. Founded in January 2000 by David Michael Weishaar — an Emmy Award-winning sound mixer (1997, 'Frasier') and former President of the Cinema Audio Society (1989-1991) — the firm offers sound recording and mixing (including Dolby Stereo and 5.1 surround), digital video production (Sony DSR-series DV-Cams, Matrox DigiSuite LE non-linear editing), voice-over talent representation (a 13+ artist roster), wedding videography (Silver at $2,500 and Gold at $3,000), and legal video services such as depositions and courtroom presentation.

The business operates on professional-services / one-time project fee economics: most engagements are quote-based, while weddings are productized at fixed tiers and additional DVDs are sold at $35 each. Go-to-market is sales-led and direct-to-consumer, with the founder handling all client intake via phone (310-394-0883) and a set of role-specific email addresses. Distribution is largely regional (Southern California) supplemented by remote client services for voice casting and project intake. The voice-over talent brokering line adds a commission-based stream layered on top of bespoke production work.

The company serves a horizontal mix of customer segments — film/TV producers, documentary filmmakers, musicians, advertising/corporate media buyers, legal professionals, and wedding couples — with revenue concentrated around founder relationships rather than recurring enterprise contracts. Headcount is stated as 1-10, the website dates to circa 2010-2011, no funding rounds or external institutional ownership are disclosed, and there are no AI/ML capabilities, modern cloud tooling, or recent product launches in evidence. Earlier branding was 'Play It By Ear Productions'.

Name

SWM

Legal name

Sound With Motion

Website

https://soundwithmotion.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sound With Motion (SWM) is a founder-led Santa Monica audio and video production and post-production services firm delivering sound mixing, documentary and event videography, voice-over talent representation, legal video, and productized wedding packages to entertainment, legal, and consumer clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Audio and Video Production Services

NAICS

Postproduction Services and Other Motion Picture and Video Industries (51219), Sound Recording Studios (512240), Other Sound Recording Industries (51229)

SIC

Services-Allied To Motion Picture Production (7819), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Sound Post-Production (Dialogue, ADR, Foley, Mixing) (MPADAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Re-Recording Mixing (Theatrical/TV/Streaming) (MPAHAEAF), Voiceover Recording & Production (Narration, Promo, Commercial VO) (MPAHAEAK), Audio Mastering & Deliverables (Loudness/Compliance, Printmasters, Stems) (MPAHAEAL)

Keywords

• Audio post-production services
• Video production services
• Voice-over talent agency
• Wedding videography services
• Legal video documentation

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Monica

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Audio/Video Production Services: Full service audio and video production and post-production services including documentary, educational/instructional, and event videography. Revenue generated per project with pricing based on service scope and complexity.
2. Documentary Production: Producing and directing documentary projects for theatrical release and educational purposes, including original productions like 'By The Hand of The Father' featuring Alejandro Escovedo.
3. Wedding Videography: Silver and Gold wedding video packages priced at $2,500 and $3,000 respectively. Additional DVDs at $35 each. One-time project fees.
4. Legal Video Services: Legal video services including video depositions, site inspections, day-in-the-life video, courtroom presentation, and editing for legal professionals.
5. Voice Over Talent Placement: Voice talent agency service connecting clients with voice over artists from around the world. Takes commission or service fee for matching talent to projects.
6. Audio Post-Production: Sound design, recording, mixing, and mastering services for music and theatrical productions, including live event recording and CD mastering.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Sound With Motion is a full-service audio and video production and post-production company offering sound recording and mixing in Dolby Stereo and 5.1 surround, digital video production using Sony DSR-series DV-Cams with Matrox DigiSuite LE non-linear editing, voice-over talent casting and representation, documentary and music video production, wedding videography with Silver and Gold packages, and legal video services including depositions and courtroom presentations.

Product overview

Sound With Motion (SWM) is a full-service audio and video production and post-production company established in January 2000. The company operates as an integrated service offering with interconnected modules: Sound Services provides professional audio recording and mixing (including Dolby Stereo and 5.1 surround); VO Talent connects clients with voice-over artists; Video Production creates documentaries, promos, music videos and demo reels; Wedding Video Services offers event coverage; and Legal Video Services handles depositions and courtroom presentations. The company uses Sony DSR-series DV-Cams for capture and Matrox DigiSuite LE for editing, combining decades of industry experience with broadcast-quality output.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sound Services (Audio Production & Post-Production) Professional audio production and post-production services including sound recording and mixing for motion pictures, television, music, and theatrical releases, delivered in Dolby Stereo or 5.1 surround formats using high-end equipment. Targeted at film/TV producers, documentary makers, and music artists needing broadcast-quality audio.
• Voice-Over Talent Agency Casting and brokering service connecting advertising agencies, corporations, and media clients with voice-over artists for commercials, narrations, on-hold messaging, and character voices. Includes remote/ISDN-enabled recording coordination.
• Wedding Videography Packages Event videography service for weddings offering Silver ($2,500) and Gold ($3,000) packages covering pre-ceremony, ceremony, photo session, reception, and an optional Love Story segment. Includes 1 DVD with additional DVDs at $35 each. Targeted at engaged couples seeking professional wedding-day documentation.
• Legal Video Services Legal video documentation services including video depositions, site inspections, day-in-the-life video, courtroom presentation, and editing. Targeted at law firms, attorneys, and legal departments requiring courtroom-ready documentation.
• Video Production (Documentary, Music Video, Promos) Digital video production services including documentary films, artist promos, PSA announcements, music videos, and actor demo reels. Uses Sony DSR-series DV-Cams for capture and Matrox DigiSuite LE non-linear editing. Targeted at filmmakers, musicians, artists, and content creators.

Quantifiable outcome

• Emmy Award for 'Frasier' comedy series (1997)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cinema Audio SocietycoreOthersIndustry professional organization where founder David Michael Weishaar served on Board of Directors for six years and was elected President from 1989-1991. Provides networking, industry standards, and professional development.
• Audio Engineering SocietyminorOthersProfessional organization for audio engineers. SWM links to AES as resource for industry information and standards.
• Academy of Motion Picture Arts and SciencesminorOthersSWM links to Oscar.org (AMPAS) as industry resource for filmmakers and industry professionals.
• National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)minorOthersSWM links to NAB as industry resource for broadcast professionals.
• Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE)minorOthersSWM links to SMPTE as resource for motion picture and television engineering standards.
• Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA)minorOthersSWM links to MPAA as industry resource for film and television content standards.
• Location SoundminorOthersListed with special thanks on music clips page. Equipment vendor/resource for location sound recording equipment.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Skywalker Sound: Lucasfilm's legendary sound post-production division offering sound design, mixing (including Dolby Atmos), and audio finishing for major theatrical features and series. Comparable to SWM as a sound post provider for theatrical releases, but at much larger scale with global brand.
• Technicolor Creative Studios: Global post-production and visual effects major offering sound mixing, color, VFX, and content services across film, episodic, advertising, and games. Comparable to SWM as a sound post provider, but at full-service scale.

Direct peers

• Formosa Group: Los Angeles-based sound post-production facility offering sound design, dialogue editing, ADR, and re-recording mixing for film, television, and streaming. Directly comparable to SWM as a Hollywood-area boutique focused on theatrical-quality mixing.
• Sound Lounge: Independent sound post-production studio with locations in NYC and LA, providing sound design, mixing, and ADR for film, TV, advertising, and games. Comparable to SWM as a similarly-positioned boutique competing for premium theatrical and TV sound work.
• Todd-AO: Long-established post-production facility in Hollywood providing sound mixing, ADR, and audio post for film, TV, and commercials. Directly comparable to SWM as a legacy LA-based post house serving theatrical and broadcast clients.
• Source Sound Inc. Los Angeles-based post-production sound facility providing sound editorial, ADR, Foley, and re-recording mixing for film and television. Directly comparable to SWM as a Hollywood boutique sound post house.
• Soundelux: Historically prominent sound post-production brand known for sound effects editorial and feature film mixing, now operating under MPPSE/Todd-AO infrastructure. Comparable to SWM as a sound post specialist serving major Hollywood productions.
• Margarita Mix Hollywood: Hollywood re-recording mixing stage and post-production sound facility serving theatrical features, television, and streaming series. Comparable to SWM as an LA-based theatrical mixing boutique.

Regional players

• Picture Head: Hollywood post-production facility offering editorial, conform, color, and finishing services with adjacent audio capabilities. Comparable to SWM as an LA post-production service provider for film and TV.

Emerging players

• Huge Sound: Independent post-production sound boutique serving independent film, episodic, and branded content. Comparable to SWM as a smaller-format sound post specialist competing for indie and mid-budget theatrical work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SWM