Engineering

I’m a technical production specialist and was thrown on a job with a Green Go Communications system.

Of my colleagues, I am one of the few who can confidently program it. 

It’s very different from (but  similar to) a Clear Comm Freakspeak system. 

First week of February I’ll be setting up an Arcadia System.

As with all new gear, there is a considerable learning curve. 

I continue to get thrown into fires and somehow come out relatively unscathed.

But that was not always the case. 

And I’ve failed hard. Embarrassingly hard. 

And because of those failures I have learned so much. 

I admit, I have fallen up.

There’s always someone that knows more than you, always someone to learn from. 

I get to work with so many talented and smart, specialized production guys that are all from the same misfit island.

We’re all freelancers, we all (mostly) wear black, and we all do long, grueling, back to back hours.

The older Audio guys can be unsavory at times, entitled, arrogant, cranky and stubborn. 

But the real professional audio OGs? 

They’re client-facing, patient, thoughtful and thorough. 

They have so much intimate knowledge of a niche trade that has become more of an IT profession vs what it really is; a dying art.

Much of the productions I work on these days is either medical or financial. 

One day I’ll be mixing audio for a room full of Epidemiologists, virologists and immunologists teaching Continuing Medical Education courses.

The next day I’ll be mixing audio for financial giants listening to Jamie Dimon trash crypto

I’ve mix audio for countless live events featuring politicians ranging from Trump to Biden to the Clintons to Bloomberg to Bush. 

This past season, I’ve mixed audio (mostly voice and playback) for an array of heavy hitters.

I’ve been a fly on the wall for countless events with the world’s most influential and respected individuals. 

It pains me to admit this; GW was by far one of the most charismatic and funny politicians I’ve ever heard in person. 

It doesn’t erase what he and Cheney did but these people are just…people.

The big jobs pay well but they are stressful. 

That’s why I always do some of the the jobs that are…fun. 

It was such an amazing experience to watch Gotham FC women’s soccer team go from last place the previous year to winning the entire thing in 2023. 

Best part about it? I got paid to do watch (and mix).

When I was younger with little field experienced and during the hardest grind of my life, I was advised to give up and get a regular job.

I reflect back on that pivotal moment often…I am so thankful that I had the support of others who encouraged me and supported me to continue on my path.

20 years ago I was living below the poverty line, saddled with debt and with more responsibilities than I ever thought possible. 

For youse out there doubting yourself…

Don’t. Forge ahead. Dream. Aspire. Keep going. Fail. Get up. Fail again. Get up. And continue.

Oh, and laugh. As much as possible