What is the overall creative mission of Allied Post Audio when it comes to post production, and how do you define creative success? 

We do full audio post packages for TV and film so our main task is to help our filmmakers tell their story with sound. Audio is a blind spot in productions since the emphasis always seems to be about “getting the shot.” Sometimes when they come to audio post they are looking for us to “fix problems” with the location audio rather than fully understanding the creative endeavor ahead with storytelling in sound. Often when we get to work, the possibilities of what sound offers a story can become more apparent than in the picture editing bay. Audio is that “invisible” aspect of film, you do it right and you help create the sound universe of the project, you do it wrong and you pull the audience out of the experience.

Regarding success, it’s a tricky thing for anyone involved in the arts, we tend to be involved in a lot of creative things besides the craft we are paid for. But as a sound designer and mixer I can define creative success as when I have added value to my client’s project with sound and they walk away feeling great about the collaboration we’ve done on the soundtrack. Then finally seeing these terrific films with audiences at Sundance, or Tribeca, or at the local theatre or on TV is a really satisfying feeling.

What is one of the biggest creative risks you took recently? What was the outcome? 

Allied Post Audio is in its 23rd year in Santa Monica and we can only take the risks that our clients ask of us, the projects are theirs, and we are there to support their audio vision. However, I am also a filmmaker and a musician, so personally I take risks with my art there. I recently wrote and directed a pilot presentation for a comedy TV series called “Contact High” about “aliens coming to Earth for our weed”. It’s a sci-fi, stoner, buddy comedy and it was embraced by the festival circuit winning various awards, including Best Director for me at the Seattle Film Festival. It’s very satisfying to spend so much time, energy, and money on something and then finally get to enjoy it with an audience.

What is your favorite piece of work you created in the past year? Tell us the story behind it. 

I’m fortunate that many great projects come through Allied Post Audio, it’s always hard to pick your babies! Current projects are always top of mind. I have a film that I sound designed and mixed that was in Sundance 2023, SXSW, and other major festivals called “Plan C.” Its is a timely documentary feature about women’s reproductive rights and interviews many women and doctors with various personal situations regarding the very hot button issue of abortion. I’m proud to be working with top filmmakers like Tracy Droz Tragos, to tell these types of stories.

Whose work inspires you the most? Shout out some work that you feel deserves more attention. 

I am inspired by many creative people across the spectrum. For post sound certainly the top mixers in town like Randy Thom, Jon Taylor, and the OG masters like Ben Burtt, Walter Murch, and Gary Rydstrom when it comes to soundtracks. But I am also inspired by great music like Peter Gabriel, Radiohead, and newer artists like Halsey. There are many great music producers out there like Mark Ronson who are always pushing the creative envelope that inspire me sonically. I also look to people like Bill Hader who has shown that not only is he an amazing actor but a highly skilled filmmaker as well, with his series “Barry”. His work on that series as an actor and director is truly inspiring. We’re lucky to live in a time where we are just surrounded by massive talent.

What is your long-term vision for Allied Post Audio? How has your strategy changed over time? 

Well we’ve made it into our second decade now. I think back in 2000 we were just hoping to keep the doors open! But since the technology is always changing, that changes the services of what we offer. Dolby Atmos is the latest format to come around, offering clients a much more immersive sound experience. So keeping pace with the changes, delivery requirements, and tech is always a long term play.

My other company, Los Angeles Post Production Group, (LAPPG) does a lot to keep tabs on the ever changing post technologies.  Our partners, who are leaders in post production, keeps our large and diverse membership educated, as we all learn and network in what can be a solitary job. Long term, its just rolling with the punches. COVID has changed how we employ people, Zoom has changed how we work with clients, tapeless workflows have changed how we deliver, and AI will change some of the processes as we move ahead in ways we can’t predict.

What does winning a Telly Award mean to you?

I’m honored to have had such a great string of Telly Awards over the years, 15 to date! It’s always nice to be honored for outstanding work, we work hard for our clients and pride ourselves on doing things well and right. It means that I can help promote my company and my clients and their great works. Allied Post Audio offers a lot to our clients and their projects, but the films and TV shows we do are created by the filmmakers hard work, blood, sweat, and tears. I’m fortunate to work with such talented filmmakers and I think the Telly Awards are not only a nod to Allied Post Audio’s sound services but to their great work as well.