In the world of film and television, sound is an often-overlooked yet fundamental element that can make or break an audience’s immersion in the narrative. If the sound doesn’t capture a viewer into the onscreen world, you’re likely to zone out.
If there’s anyone who knows this, it’s sound engineer Ghassan Abdelnour, who is a Member of the Television Academy, and has worked on countless film and TV projects.
As a top sound engineer based in Los Angeles, Abdelnour has been crafting sonic landscapes for Christmas films, thrillers, romcoms and dramas. His sound credits include And Love Knocked, a 2025 romcom starring Katherine McNamara, who was nominated for the Critics Choice Association’s Super Award for Best Actress in an Action Series in 2023,
His credits also include the BET-produced film, War Dawgz, starring Emmy Award-nominated actor Raven-Symone, and the 2023 thriller, Sister Assistant, which stars Vincent Duvall-DePasquale, known for his roles in Yellowstone and CSI. Abdelnour has a knack for transporting viewers to new worlds through the power of sound. “It’s not only my passion, but luckily, my profession, too,” he said. With a storied career spanning multiple platforms, including Hulu shows, live orchestras and films, Ghassan shares his insights on the quiet art of sound engineering and his latest projects.
As the lead sound engineer, Ghassan has lent his expertise to a diverse range of programs. Notably, he worked on a quartet of holiday movie specials for Hulu – All I Want for Christmas, Menorah in the Middle, My Christmas Fiance, and Santa Games – which premiered on the streaming service in 2022, as part of Hulu’s festive holiday season lineup. These films showcase Ghassan’s ability to evoke the warmth and magic of the holiday season through his thoughtful sound design, which brings a strong sense of drama into the plot and storyline.
To Ghassan, creating a believable and engaging sonic environment is a multi-layered process. “To make a project come to life sonically, you need multiple layers that are made separately and then combined,” he explains. “It’s similar to making a sandwich – it’s not really a sandwich until all the layers are put together.” This is symbolic of the whole post-production sound process. These layers include elements such as ambiance, sound design, and effects, each carefully tailored to the unique vision and direction of the project at hand.
While sound engineering is often praised for its technical aspects, Ghassan reminds us that the true power of sound lies in its subtlety. “When you’re watching a movie or TV episode, you don’t really think of sound – that’s exactly the point,” he explains. “It’s not supposed to be something you can point out, because in that case, if it’s standing out, it’s really not doing a very good job. It has to be seamless and flow naturally. It’s something that is felt, not heard.”
Ghassan’s expertise extends beyond the realm of television, as he has been selected as a juror for the prestigious 11th Asian World Film Festival in 2025. Held in Los Angeles from November 11 to 20, the festival celebrates the best of Asian cinema, showcasing a diverse range of films from over 50 countries. As a jury member, Ghassan will assess 12 officially selected films, offering his insights and expertise to help shape the festival’s awards season recognition.
“I’m honored to be part of this esteemed event,” Ghassan remarks. “As a jury member, I’m entrusted with evaluating the hard work, vision, and artistry behind these remarkable films. Each one represents a unique voice and cultural perspective, and being part of the process that celebrates and uplifts these stories is truly rewarding.”
Ghassan Abdelnour’s dedication to the craft of sound has led him to work on some of the most exciting projects in the industry. With his keen ear for detail and passion for storytelling, he continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the world of film and television sound. As a respected figure in his field, Ghassan’s expertise serves as a reminder of the vital role that sound plays in shaping our emotional connection to the stories we love.
