Sound guru Andy Wright, who grew up in Penshurst, has won his first Oscar.
Wright is currently attending the 89th Academy Awards in Los Angeles.
He was up for two Oscars today: sound editing and sound mixing following his work on Hacksaw Ridge, directed by fellow Australian Mel Gibson.
He won the sound mixing award alongside work colleagues Robert Mackenzie, Kevin O'Connell and Peter Grace – beating the likes of La La Land and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
He missed out on the sound editing award (which he was nominated for alongside Mackenzie) which went to Arrival.
This is the first time he has been nominated for an Academy Award.
Mr Wright, 36, works for Australian post-production company Soundfirm.
In an interview with the Leader, before he left for LA, he said he had enjoyed a long history working alongside fellow winner Mackenzie.
“Robert Mackenzie and I have worked together on and off for over 15 years,” he said.
“Roger [Savage, the Soundfirm Australia chief executive] put Rob and I forward to supervise the sound on Hacksaw Ridge.
“Rob is fabulous to work with. He is a super, intelligent guy and has a great knowledge of film history and audio techniques.”
Kevin O’Connell gave the acceptance speech on behalf of the sound team from Hacksaw Ridge.
“Kevin is a 40-year veteran of Hollywood sound and was amazing to work with,” Wright said.
“He straight away slotted into the dynamic Rob and I had developed over 15 years and made the flow of the sound mix so easy for us all.”
Mr Wright is attending the Academy Awards with his partner, Leah.
Mr Wright attended Marist Catholic College Penshurst and Marist College Kogarah as a teenager.
- Films nominated for the same awards:
- Sound mixing: Arrival, Hacksaw Ridge, La La Land, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi.
- Sound editing: Arrival, Deepwater Horizon, Hacksaw Ridge, La La Land, Sully.
