Things I learned During My First Semester of Teaching
This semester I taught my first class. The topic? Theatrical Sound Design. I learned a lot from teaching this class. Some were surprises and others were more reaffirming than new knowledge. As a way to reflect on some of these observations, I would like to share them with my readers. Link to full article.
An Introspection on Theatrical Sound Design
Where to begin? An empty screen, a blank page, and a freshly printed script. Still warm from the printer. I love designing for theatre. It allows me to experience hundreds of different renditions of the same script. The same story, but from a different perspective. Theatre is the original never-ending story.
Thus, when I design for theatre, I begin by asking myself several fundamental questions. I approach it in its most basic form, a story. Link to full article.
Healthy Practices for the Audio Professional – The Physical Body
Recently, I have developed a desire for more information regarding better ways to take care of myself, specifically the professional me. I want more techniques and concepts tailored to my profession, regardless of what hat I am wearing that day. I also knew that I needed the how and why these techniques and concepts are being suggested to me. That way I could customize a routine to suit my ever-changing needs. I needed to find something that dove below the surface and I wanted to share my findings with others in the audio industry. Link to full article.
Designing with Meyer Constellation
Using an array of ambient sensing microphones, digital signal processing, and world-class speakers, Constellation modifies the reverberant characteristics of a venue and redistributes sound throughout the space – ensuring a natural acoustic experience. I am very fortunate to have had the experience to design with this system. The Krannert Center for the Performing Arts recently had one of these systems installed into their Colwell Playhouse Theatre. In this article, I will go over how I designed this system for the 2021 November Dance show, how I utilized the 100+ speakers, and how I shaped the environment of each dance piece. Link to full article.
An Open Letter to Mental Health
Recently I have shifted my mental well-being to the forefront of my brain, whereas my work and education have always been my main focus. I knew that if I did not make this adjustment, my mental health would infringe on my professional life and the goals that I have set for myself.
The current discussion about mental well-being is a growing one, however, when it is combined with work, things fall short. There is an overwhelming amount of toxic work culture within our industry. With my switch to focusing on bettering myself and my mental state, I have questioned if this affects my worth as a designer. Does this make me a less valuable team member if I am not putting 110 percent into everything that I do?
I will answer this question for you – no it does not, and I know that it does not make me less valuable as a professional. Link to full article.
Changing Work Culture and Setting Boundaries
“I had also sacrificed my own sense of self in service of this dream, and when I finally got there, I felt like there wasn’t a “me” left to enjoy it. Worse, I know that by pushing myself in that way to “earn my place” I was contributing to a culture that would demand that from the next person coming up.” – Anna Ehl
I wanted to start this article with a direct quote from one of myprofessors. My hope is that this presents a new or renewed perspective on this important topic. As a student and working professional, I have learned the importance of setting boundaries with my work. Like many of you, I love what I do and I enjoy working in the audio industry. However, there are some parts of it that we might want to avoid. Link to full article.
Post Graduate Resources
Hello, summer 2021. Hopefully, most of you who are reading this are preparing for a busy summer. I know I am quickly booking myself as many safe live shows as I can, and I hope you are as well. Over the past few months, I have been collaborating with a friend and colleague to present an article that talks about freelancing in an extensive and informative way. Since summer is right around the corner and many of us will be hunting for work, now feels like the best time to release it.
The Innovation of Theatre During a Pandemic
2020 was the year that Broadway, and so many other theaters, closed their doors. Consoles remained covered. Houses stayed empty. The lonely ghost light stood center stage. However, the year also came with great innovation, which is something that cannot be ignored by those who remain working in this industry. Though our theatre doors may be shut, many have turned to other ways to safely continue community involvement.
Streaming, zooming, and filming have now become the norm. I think a lot about older family members cursing at their computers and then I do a broadcasted performance where the streaming equipment outweighs the audio equipment in the setup. Although I feel incredibly inexperienced working audiovisual, this is the road theatre must take to maintain activity and reach their communities. While it may seem frustrating and foreign, streaming ensembles and filming theatre are some of the only ways we can continue to do shows at the moment. My peers and I have had first-hand experience in dealing with familiar and not-so-familiar challenges while working this past year.
The Problem with Being Called Bossy
I was recently listening to an episode of The Guilty Feminist podcast titled ‘Being Bossy with Carrie Quinlan.’ It is quite possible you are already rolling your eyes due to the use of that awful B-word. Every woman and young girl has been called bossy at some point in their life, and the connotation that comes with it is not a good one. I love this podcast and this particular episode piqued my interest. Being too emotional was also brought up, which might evoke a second eye roll from some readers.
I want to get straight to the point on why these kinds of terms and phrases are awful and damaging. The word bossy and leader are two very different words. Each elicits different feelings, have separate definitions, and can be seen as opposing. You want to be one and not the other.
Affordable Starter Plug-ins
This time around for post-grad resources, I looked into plug-in must have’s for those starting out on their own. Ones that are quality and include an affordable price or offer free downloads. As always, this article is opinion-based. I am sharing information that I have gathered in hopes that it can help other young professionals.
The Affordable Digital Audio Workstation
By popular request, I am researching and collaborating with several of my peers to come up with a list of resources that can be useful post-graduation. Many of us were spoiled with the unlimited amount of software and gear that we had in undergrad. I certainly was! Now, six months after graduating from my undergrad program and three months away from starting my master’s program, I find this to be a great opportunity to explore my affordable options.
Beginner Speaker Design
A mix is only as good as the speakers that it is played on. That is a phrase that I have heard many times. The current global situation regarding COVID-19 has many individuals turning to crafts and DIY trends to keep from going insane. Depending upon what kind of tools and materials you have access to, this could be a helpful guide or just something enjoyable to read to pass the time.
When I built my speakers last year, I vastly underestimated the amount of woodworking experience I would need to construct the unique shape of my cabinets. It is incredibly important to be safe when working with power tools and to avoid working alone. Let someone know what you are doing and where you will be. Please, stay safe.
That being said, there are many things to know before construction…. Link to full article.
Podcasts - Making Waves
Spring is almost here! With the Earth gradually awakening, I can feel my own mind coming out of its hibernation. I find myself reading more articles, keeping up with current events, and listening to new podcasts.
Speaking of podcasts, the podcast industry has been receiving attention for some time now. I recently had the pleasure of talking with Fela Davis about podcast audio and what it means for the audio industry… Link to full article.
New Decade - New Year
Michigan Tech Audio Department Dec. 2019
The New Year and a new decade have begun! Thoughts of reinvention and feelings of excitement fill the air. This time of the year can often feel overwhelming. For me, I am in between apartments, jobs, and I just finished up my bachelor’s and am headed into a master’s program. Life has been a roller coaster.
It is no secret that the audio and music industry can be challenging, but as a young woman, I have definitely been feeling the pressure to find work and be successful. Something I am sure we all feel. There has also been a lot of talk amongst my friends and peers about depression and seasonal depression. It seems to flourish in the cold, dark months. I myself have been struggling with it. I wanted to do something proactive to combat these negative thoughts and emotions and to welcome in the New Year in a positive way. So I looked to my community for support and ideas… Link to the full article.
Impulse Response Testing and Field Recording
The Mine
One of the things that piqued my interest with sound design was all of the magical tools and abilities sound designers have at their disposal. As a young sound designer, I am still surprised and excited by all of this.
I go to school in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, at Michigan Technological University. The area is called the Keweenaw Peninsula and is at the very top of the Upper Peninsula. The northern woods and waterfalls are both beautiful and great for field recording, but one part of the Keweenaw that goes relatively unexplored by sound enthusiasts, are the mines. Mining was a large part of the economy during the 19th and early 20th century and was still at large into the 1970s and ’80s. Abandoned mines dot the Keweenaw peninsula, but one mine, in particular, has been reopened and repurposed… Link to the full article.