311CPA: Résumé/CV

Résumé

From the study taken of my abilities and job research collected, I have tailored my Résumé to the requirements of a Sound Designer.

311CPA: Reflection

As I am in the middle of my end of year final major project, I now own all of the books listed below on the recommendation provided by my tutors to research the theory and practice of Sound Design. Each book teaches practical experiments on ADR, Foley effects and music along with studies of renowned Designers such as Ben Burtt and Walter Murch. Once my University course is finished I can prepare to carry on reading and researching methods, techniques and theories and use these processes for the jobs later to come.

In today’s society the online resources are the best way to begin networking with other students, filmmakers and start work as a beginner freelance Sound Designer.

As for my contacts, I can begin e-mailing them for help and advice about the industry they work in. Then organize work experience sessions and begin meeting people through their connections.

There are a number of courses over England that offer MA/MSc in Audio Post Production that will extend my knowledge of music technology and specialise my capabilities to one field within the music industry. This then adds further extensive knowledge on the subject and more work to add to my show-reel.

311CPA: Action Plan

All these resources listed below are useful and relevant links to further my knowledge and job opportunities within Sound Design.

Books

Sound Design: The expressive power of music, voice and sound effects in cinema, Sonnenschein, D

Film Sound: Theory and practice, Weis E & B

Audio Post Production for Television and film: An introduction to technology and techniques, Wyatt, H & Amyes, T

Designing Sound: Farnell, A

Practical Art of Motion Picture Sound: Yewdall, D L

Sound for Film and Television: Holman, T

Online Resources

http://filmsound.org/

UK Music Jobs

Skill Set

Music week

Free Lance Switch

Musicians Union 

People/Contacts

Lester Woodward from Ignition Studios

Ville and Matt Leppanen from the Animal Farm

Courses

MA/MSc Post Production with Sound Design

MA Audio Production Westminster

MA Audio Post Production

MSc Audio Production Salford Manchester

311CPA: Strengths, Weaknesses and Opportunities

As I have already stated previously my love for TV and film, provides me with a great passion to work within the industry as a Sound Designer. This will be my chosen area to carry on my study.

Strengths:

• A BSc (Hons) degree in E Music at Coventry University along with achieving my best grades (2/1 and above) from modules such as Music Composition, Music Industry Practice, Media Streaming Technology and Recording Technology and Techniques
• Basing my final year project on Sound Design theory and practice
• A hunger for both old and new music
• A passion for all kinds of media entertainment e.g. live music, theatre shows and musicals, Film, TV, animations, media and art performances
• Have and building upon my home recording studio
• Experience in recording instruments/vocals, editing and mixing audio
• Good communication skills and work with number of personalities and people

Weaknesses:

• No specialist  expertise in Sound Design
• Little experience with sound to video projects
• No contacts in the Sound Design industry

As for my opportunities, there are a vast number of options to consider:

• Further my studies in a post graduate degree in Sound Production
• Carry on reading and researching relevant up to date books and online materials
• Start networking with people within the industry and student film makers
• Begin as a volunteer for recording studio’s and theatre houses, engineers and network your way up
• Talk and e mail to Sound Designers and others within the industry for advice to begin a career
• Start developing my own sound library, perhaps developing a certain style along with the generic sound effects
• Develop my own website displaying me as a Sound Designer with a show-reel of my work, clients I’ve worked with, contact details etc
• Review paid job opportunities in sound related fields

From this analysis, all of these options can be realistically achieved over time, developing my expertise of sound, networking with people and beginning client relationships. Also to find work experience and possibly a mentor to study from as an example of what I want to become in my later career.

311CPA: 3rd Job Description

Job title: Record Producer

Clients: Record studios, Record label and Bands

Purpose of job

Music producers organize all aspects of recording music within a recording studio. To engineer and record performers, artists, bands to a musical standard, identify music with commercial potential and delivering the finished product to the A and R department.

Duties and responsibilities

• The ability to interact well with musicians
• To help and guide bands/artists musical styles
• To record and produce a finished product
• Meet artist needs
• To liaise with labels, management, mastering studios etc

Experience and Qualifications

• A good wide knowledge of musical styles and genres
• Experience with musical software and hardware technology
• Good experience in sound recording, editing and mixing
• Worked with a number of bands and musicians etc
• Qualification’s in Music production or other equivalents
• Networking with artists, A&R men, labels, engineers etc

Conditions

• To work long hours confined in a recording studio
• To meet the requirements and deadlines

Income

• Many Producers work on a freelance basis and are paid a flat fee for recording sessions
• Or possibly with an agreed percentage (often between three and four percent) of the income from future sales

311CPA: 2nd Job Description

Job title: Live Sound Engineer

Clients: Live venues, Bands, Record companies and Theatre companies

Purpose of job

As a sound engineer, you would control the sound at live events such as theatre performances and music concerts. You would operate microphones, amplifiers and control desks to balance the sound levels, and you might also provide background music and sound effects.

Duties and responsibilities

• Discuss the production’s sound needs with the director or sound designer
• To know exactly where in the script any sound effects, music and changes in sound level are needed
• Able to pre-record any sound effects and music to be used
• Able to set up, test and adjust equipment and instruments
• Choose suitable microphones and equipment
• Position and rig up microphones
• Organize sound checks before a performance
• Operate the sound desk during shows
• Follow a sound plan (known as a ‘plot’) and cues from the deputy stage manager
• Look after and repairing the equipment
• Unload, set up, dismantle and load equipment at each venue when on tour
• Good people skills, working with clients and artists

Experience and Qualifications

• Good hearing, for judging sound quality
• A good sense of pitch, timing and rhythm
• Have a musical background
• A knowledge of electronics and acoustics Experience with the variety of musical software’s
• Able to record, edit and mix sound
• Good practical skills
• Patience and concentration
• The ability to cope with long hours and tight deadlines
• Qualification’s in Music Tech or other equivalents
• Good communication and ‘people’ skills
• Awareness of health and safety

Conditions

• Able to work in different locations
• Able to work long hours week days, evenings and weekends
• Needs to be very flexible with working hours
• Able to drive to different locations
• Prepared for any location such as theatres, concert halls, arenas, outdoor concerts and festivals

Income

• Experienced sound engineers can earn between £25,000 and £30,000 a year (Direct Gov 2011)

311CPA: 1st Job Description

Job title: Sound Designer

Clients: Audio post-production houses for TV, film and theatre

Purpose of job

To manage the entire sound post-production process and create the sound concept for productions such as film, TV, theatre and computer games. This will involve both creating the sound effects for major events such as a battle or a shipwreck, and producing the ambient sound that creates the atmosphere and feeling of a production. The Sound Designer is then responsible for creating these sound effects and making sure they are used effectively and correctly.

Duties and responsibilities

• To balance and mix speech, effects and background music
• To provide sound effects, dialog and ambiance sounds
• To design original material
• Edit speech to fit the action on screen
• Operate a DAW
• To meet deadlines

Experience and Qualifications

• Have good hearing levels
• High level of attention to detail
• A knowledge of electronics and sound technology
• Years of experience in recording and experimenting with sound
• Has gained experience by working as an assistant sound editor- sound editor- sound designer
• To a have a vast library of sound effects
• Have a high level of technical expertise
• Innovative and imaginative ideas
• Have a Post graduate level in sound post-production or equivalent
• Able to work with in a team
• Good communication skills

Conditions

• Able to work long hours (60 hours average)
• Confined within a recording studio
• Organize work load

Income

• Starting salaries can be around £18,000 to £25,000 a year for ongoing full-time work, then on to £40,000

All job description research was taken from UK Music Jobs, Film Sound and Direct Gov.

311CPA: Job Interests

My job interests best lie within:

• Sound Design
• Live Sound Engineer
• Musician
• Composer
• Producer

My most desired profession would lie as a Sound Designer. The reason being is my love for T.V, Film and Theatre.

When growing up I was heavily influenced by the T.V. program “Dr Who” and one reason was because of its sound. The sound has it own unique and definitive style, playing a large part within the show. From the beginning title sequence where it has seen a number of variations over the years, it captivates the audience with its melodies and sounds. It introduces a haunting and chilling but wonderful tone to the introduction and the mystery of the program “Dr Who”.

Besides the opening title, the sounds within the show are also inspiring. As it’s a space adventure program it has the ability to experiment and introduce new sound elements to the production such as spaceships, alien, creatures, ghosts and space. One example being the Doctor’s spaceship/time machine sound, which was generated from a door key sliding up and down the low end of a piano string then manipulated with reverbs. This being a simple process but with an innovative idea it creates a new, unique and now familiar sound quality that adds to the program.

Now as I have grown up and choosing my career options, I now want to work towards becoming a part of the Sound Design team. To work within the industry of T.V, Film and Theatre for something that I believe is innovative and hold the test of time like “Dr Who” has for me.

As for other interests, working as a musician or working for musicians as a producer or live sound engineer would be a great pleasure. As I have been in a band for several years I am familiar with the surroundings, people and technical aspects of touring and recording studios.  But as I am already familiar with these aspects, I would see Sound Designing for TV and film a new learning curve and add a new string to my bow.

311CPA: Evidence in Audio Post Production

311CPA: Evidence in Video, Audio and Web Design

Media Streaming and Networking Technology module

Web design for media streaming site made in 2nd year, creator of video, audio and web design.

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