Kirk Douglas, the owner and sound engineer at The Sound Lounge Studio, was kind enough to let us take up ten minutes of his day to interview him about his thoughts on the sound scene in Vancouver. For those of you who don’t know Kirk is one of the Voice Over teachers for Young Screen Actors Academy and an expert in music both with an instrument and behind the sound board.
Why did you get into the industry?
I started as a professional musician at 17 and by 19 I decided to get into recording. After being in the recording studio I realized how cool and fascinating it was for me. So I moved from Edmonton to Vancouver and took a course in recording arts and science, as a recording engineer and got a diploma. In my 3rd year I got a job at a recording studio called the Bullfrog in the tape duplicating room (a job that doesn’t exist anymore) and eventually moved up and became an engineer. I have been a recording engineer now for 22 years.
What’s new and exciting?
Other then teaching the YSAA Voice over program, I’m working on different albums: The Jardines, Shilo Lindsey, Among the Ghosts and other local Vancouver bands.
Any part of the sound industry your favorite?
I am really enjoying working with the students. Other then that, I love working on musical soundtracks for film and television, and effecting the experience the artist gets in the studio. I’ve heard some horror stories about other studio experiences and I like that I can make the artists feel like they could do it all again.
Tell us a bit more about working sound on film and television?
I’ve worked on Road hockey rumble, a full soundtrack for a reality show called Tight, 5 songs on Supernatural, 2 songs on Smallville, 5 songs on The Boy Next Door. And just recently worked with Christopher Petry ( a Producer from Smallville) on a film called Marilyn. I also did some music on Jim Rose’s new film. Most of these were songs done with the band Swank that I was a part of for years. I love working on soundtracks, they are just lots of fun.
Do you have a tip for Voice Over actors and other Recording Artists?
In everything people do you will always be told, “you suck, stop wasting your time.”
I’ve had that all my life. People saying, “You can’t do that you’re not good enough for this, you are not good enough for that.” You have to believe. It is about perseverance. Taking pride in what you do.
What is the strongest thing you bring to your craft?
Patience and the willingness to bend. People come into the studio saying “ I want it this way” and I’m thinking “ you must be crazy” but I do it anyway and sometimes it works and you walk away learning something new and growing. But patience is over time. When you start out your patience is small. Not everything can be dipped in gold.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
Arrogance, and negative people talking about other people. People who say “I’m the best and nothing else is as good as me.” If you talk with arrogance you better be more then amazing and even then you don’t have the right.
If you could work with anyone, who would it be?
George Martin (The Producer of all The Beatles albums) I would love to just sit and chat with him for even an hour.
http://www.soundloungeproductions.com/vancouver_recording_studio/home.html
written by: Dylan and Madison Padgett
No comments:
Post a Comment