End of Year - 2012
Another year has come to an end, and I just wanted to sum up my year is passing.
It has been an eventful one for sure, with many new avenues explored and many new experiences and learning curves.
So first off, I wish to thank all the contacts and friends that I have made this past year. It has been a pleasure woking with you all. I hope that we will work together again soon.
So first off - If you’re sad enough to remember last years Blog, there were certain goals and aspirations that I made and strived to achieved. I am happy to say that in some cases I managed to achieve these goals and surpass them too. Others, I was not so fortunate enough to realise. However this does not mean that they have been forgotten, I will complete them at some point soon.
I set out 2012 with simple, achievable goals. To complete full sound on an independent film, to release a couple of sound effects libraries and to hopefully gain employment within a post production company or video game company.
Now lets start with the negative - Sound effects libraries, I did not manage to release a single one! which sucks. However - this was not through lack of trying, unfortunately due to many factors (Equipment/expenses) I was unable to go out and record specific libraries. These plans are not over, they are simply shelved for the time being.
I did however manage to stick to my new years resolution and release a sound effect for free download every week, for the entirety of 2012. Now let me just say this, over November/December I did fail for a couple of weeks to upload sounds every week, this was due to several factors that I will mention later. I did manage to catch up and release the sounds that I should have, so they were late, but they were released.
Now this resolution was so much fun to do, it really got me thinking about sounds, all the time. Now I generally think about sound all day anyway, but knowing that I had to release a sound every week - well record a new sound and release it, I was constantly thinking and searching for new sounds to record. Every new location would see me analysing its sound and trying to separate individual sounds, and really listen to the blend of things as they sat together. The smallest and most obvious things would make great sound effects too, general household items or parts of machinery.
Halfway through the year I managed to upgrade my recorder and made a purchase of a Marantz PMD661 - this gave me newer options for recording, as it allowed for external mics etc. Add to this a re-solder job on a cheap contact mic, and well, we have a few more options to add to the list.
All the sounds are available to download from soundcloud account - and if I can work out how to do it, I will place a single folder on my website to allow for all sounds to be downloaded at once. (Don’t hold me to that, this will require a lot of trial and error on my behalf).
This year saw me complete a few independent films. A couple of student shorts, a full length documentary and some student animations. All of these projects were great fun to work on and the overall outcome for each was that of success. I am proud of the work that I have done on these, and equally as proud to have worked with some inspired Directors/Producers and animators, thank you for everything guys and gals.
I also undertook a voluntary position as an audio editor for the Wireless Theatre Company, an internet based theatre company. I completed a full 86min audio play and also an interactive audio book - for iPad etc. I will be working with these guys in the future also.
I have also started working with another independent Director/Producer on a new project, that will see me undertaking a heavy Sound Design role, which is exciting. More to follow on this in the new year, as things are still early on. No Doubt I will be documenting as much as I can about this process along the way.
In November I left my Job at SAE and started working for ENVY Post Production. The largest television Post Production Company in London. I am currently working a runners position, with the hopes of promotion into the audio department, now, seeing as there has just been a few people promoted in the audio department, I am a little pessimistic about the time frame in which this will take. However, I am certain of nothing and will continue to push myself forward and makes waves where I have to.
Throughout the year I have tried to complete some personal projects and even offer some insight into creative processes. Unfortunately these have had to take a back seat for all the other wonderful stuff that has happened this year - but fear not. I will finish what I started and you will see these things completed in the not too distant future.
So what has 2012 taught me??
It taught me that communication is the absolute key to success in any project. I think I mentioned this last year too - but with the amount of work that I had on this year, this point was concreted and re-enforced.
If you cannot communicate ideas and visions, accept criticism as constructive rather than insulting, and be able to change your approach and perspectives - then you will not achieve your best results and the project will evidently fail.
So what are my aims for next year?
The dream is a feature film. I have been trying to source a feature all year and had no luck - so fingers crossed I can find one next year. I would love to work on a horror film.
I started writing a film this year also, it is still in really early stages of conception, But I hope to at least get the script completed.
I aim to either move forward within my job into the audio department - or somehow gain an audio position that will allow me to carry my passion into full time work.
So Fingers crossed for next year - let’s see what unexpected excitement 2013 throws at me.
Once again, to all old and new friends and associates made of this last year. Thank You and it has sure been a pleasure meeting you.
Merry Christmas all and Happy New Year, see you in 2013.
Graham Donnelly
