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Issue #45
by L. Swift and Jeff McQ
Rewind a few months. Robert, an aspiring composer/engineer, had just completed his Recording Connection apprenticeship with Donny Baker at Open Call Productions in Los Angeles when the opportunity arose for him to spend some time at Remote Control. On his first day there, we received this vague email from him: “I really can’t get into a lot of detail on what’s going on … NO pictures, no Facebook and no Twitter … But some of the composers there are working on some major projects for film and TV.”
We waited to hear more…
As Robert eventually got back to us and told us the kind of projects he was being exposed to, we understood why he’d been told to treat it like an apprenticeship that didn’t exist. “Every week we were able to sit in [and] assist composers and engineers with projects for about two hours,” he told us. “It was sort of slow because they had just finished up the movie Interstellar and Hans was not there…I was fortunate enough to sit in with one composer who was working on music for the TV show Chicago PD, using MIDI to manipulate the sound he needed to match the action that was going on…As I was leaving, they were gearing up for Madagascar 3 and the Batman v Superman movie coming out later next year.”
There’s more…but if we told you then we’d have to kill you…
Apparently, Robert’s education at Recording Connection made an impression on the people he worked with at Remote Control—particularly when he told them how he’d been trained on-the-job by a mentor. “You might be getting some calls from possible students because I do brag about the school!” he told us. In addition, Robert’s work ethic and skills are already getting him known by the right people. “Chris Strong, my point of contact there, said I did a good job [with my apprenticeship], and that if he had any openings he would recommend me,” says Robert. “He said he would put me down on the short list and wants me to keep in touch.”
Between his apprenticeships at Open Call and Remote Control, Robert feels even more focused on where he believes his talents can be best utilized, and he has high hopes for the future. “It was a memorable experience,” he tells us. “I want to thank you for arranging [it].” Robert’s experience is just one example of the doors that can be opened by an on-the-job apprenticeship!
Just keep it under your hat…after all, it doesn’t exist…
As Frank Gillis reached the end of his Recording Connection apprenticeship at The Vibe Recording Studio in Ft. Myers, Florida, he was determined it wasn’t going to be the end.
His mentor, Chad Zuchegno, explains: “In his last class, Frank was like, ‘Hey, man, I’m done, but I don’t want to be done. Can I still be here for sessions?’ And I said, ‘Yes, come on in.'”
Frank did just that—he came in, all the time, as often as possible, just as he’d done when he was a student. “I was just there every day that I could be, as late as I could be, trying to learn and being involved as much as I could,” says Frank.
That persistence and constant availability led to Frank getting hired at the studio. Even though the Vibe was fully staffed with two full-time engineers, Chad agreed to bring him on, part-time at first, but with the option of becoming full-time.
“He just made himself a fixture, and I had no choice but to give him a job,” says Chad. “He made himself available, he proved himself and paid his dues, and he is actually really good at what he does, which helps. He’s doing good.”
Since coming on board, Frank has had the opportunity to help with mixing on some fairly big projects, including one with a hot up-and-coming Florida country band, Grayson Rodgers. “I was running Pro Tools while Chad was running the board,” says Frank. “The last thing I thought I would ever do is work on a country album, but I’ve learned so much from being able to be a part of it.”
For Frank, the learning has continued even after finishing his apprenticeship, including the chance to learn the ropes on a new SSL 4000G the studio had installed a few months ago. “I think that’s what this thing [with the Recording Connection] is about – really, you’re learning how to learn more, teaching yourself how to learn, and how to dive deep and figure it out,” Frank says. “Things do come a lot quicker now, everything from the SSL to Pro Tools, because I have that solid foundation from the program.”
It’s apparent talking with mentor Chad Zuchegno that he’s impressed not only with Frank’s performance in the studio, but also his persistence. He believes Frank’s experience serves as a great example for others looking to break into the industry. “If you put in the time, it pays off,” he says. “It’s the only way to move ahead in the industry. I teach a bunch, and have over the years, and those still working in the industry are those people, the ‘Franks’, who are always here, always willing to help out, even if they are just hanging out and learning.
This is a career where you’re not entitled to anything,” Chad continues. “You need to earn your keep, and continue to learn and strive to do great things…Persistence is key. When you’re willing and learning, you become employable when the time is right.”
Obviously, that persistence has paid off for Frank Gillis. Congratulations, Frank!
After a recent trip to Atlanta, our consultant, Brian Kraft, was happy to report that Ben H. Allen has signed on as a Recording Connection mentor! The producer/writer/mixer/engineer keeps a low profile but is behind some truly epic music. In fact, Ben Allen recorded and mixed the now-legendary Dangermouse and Cee-Lo collaboration, yes indeed– the Gnarls Barkley album. He’s currently at work on the new Belle & Sebastian album. Other credits include the Animal Collective, Bombay Bicycle Club, and Matt and Kim.
Brian also wants to send a shout out to all the great guys at The Parlor Recording Studio in New Orleans, soon to be one of Nola’s premier recording studios. Thanks for the great conversation and have a fantastic opening in 2015!
Did you know Recording Connection is in London?
Abbot Street Studios is a favorite of artists, engineers, and producers who are looking for a low-key, fully equipped recording environment to meet all their needs. The studio features a ProTools HD3 System and Digidesign Icon D-Control.
The fully appointed studio is also a Recording Connection mentor studio, recently featured on SpeakHertz!
At RRF we believe the greatest wisdom in the world benefits no one if it is not shared and made useful.
We work hard to stay on the cutting-edge of mentor-led education. The more we know about YOU, the better equipped we are to create the tools that will help you hone your craft and break you in to the industry you want to work in!
Please help us continue in our mission by taking the survey found here.
“I believe CASA Schools provides a cutting-edge approach to culinary education. Real world experience is what students need. With the number of students enrolling in traditional culinary schools, the ratio of students to instructors is being stretched to the point of reduced efficiency. One can learn from books, but real experience is gained through hands-on work.”
— Daniel Fitzgerald, Culinary Arts Instructor at Los Angeles Unified School District 2000-Present, Former Sous Chef at the Marriott Marquis, New York City
Like many of our mentors, when his apprentices show that kind of motivation, Edwin likes to keep working with them even after they graduate, even including them on some of his bigger projects.
“I just recently recorded and produced Brian McKnight,” says Edwin, “and one of my graduates [Mike Possemato] accompanied me to the Hit Factory in Miami where I recorded the strings. We did all the string work out there, and then I mixed in New York City. He was my assistant there as well.” Edwin has tapped another of his recent graduates, Frank Lupariello, to help on an upcoming Robin Thicke project. “We will be traveling to L.A. to record Robin Thicke on a project coming from a label here in the New York area. [Frank] will be joining me with that.”
As part of his no-nonsense training approach, Edwin focuses on teaching his students what they need to know, not just what they want to know. For example: “Some of my students are EDM-based, aspiring producers,” he says. “That’s not what I do here. I really try to motivate them and just say, “Listen, call somebody over there [at RRF]. I’m sure they have somebody standing by to answer any of the questions. I, on the other hand, this is what I want to focus on. This is what I want to teach you. This is really what you need to learn, so that someday when someone comes to hire you, you’re ready for this–because not everybody that’s going to hire you is going to need the EDM record.”
Another thing that’s clear with Edwin is that he’s not big on excuses—and one of his pet peeves is the “just a producer” excuse he sometimes hears from people who try to explain away shoddy recordings. “Get your music right,” he says. “Get it recorded well, and people will listen to your music. If it’s not recorded well, don’t go anywhere with a bag of excuses, ‘Oh, you know what? I’m just not an engineer. I’m more of a producer.’ You know what? You had a chance to be an engineer and you goofed that up and you want to become a producer. Sometimes, you really have to be that engineer before you become that producer that you want to be. At the end of the day, that’s the decision you need to make if you really want your music to sound well and presentable. We’re looking for finished products these days. We’re not looking for excuses.”
Edwin has mentored quite a few Recording Connection students over the past several years because he understands the benefits of training in the “real world” of recording. “I think at the end of the day, learning by watching someone is far better than learning with just sitting in the classroom,” he says. “I really love that about this program because that’s the best way to learn, and especially when you’re learning from someone who’s done it…When you are in the real recording studio watching someone who’s sold 20 million records…that holds a lot of weight.”
RRF: Do you feel more confident about your abilities to do film and navigate the industry now than you did before you started the program?
PM: Oh definitely! I feel much more comfortable in the Hollywood environment; I know where to look for work and the type of work that I am looking for.
RRF: What misconceptions do people have about the way the film industry works? What ADVICE would you give to people who want to get started in film?
PM: The major misconception people have is that making movies is all fun and games – it’s actually really hard work. The amount of time and effort that goes into making a film is unparalleled and it’s because you never see what goes on behind the scenes. Do some research into what it is you want to do, observe the people you wish to imitate, shadow a person of interest so you can get the feel of what it is like to actually work in film.
RRF: Was your mentor instrumental in your success?
PM: Without a doubt! My mentor (Daniel Sollinger) has truly helped me navigate the murky waters of Hollywood, he has introduced me to many contacts and opened a lot of doors for me. He has introduced me to the inner workings of film production machine, and I have learned so much! My writing mentor (Sandy Stern) has also been wonderful and has guided me tremendously through the writing process and helped me with the bouncing of ideas and the flow of my story.
RRF: Have anything else you’d like to share with us?
PM: I am truly grateful for this experience – it has been life changing.
Learn more about aspiring writer and director Parushka Moodley at www.parushkamoodley.com
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