Me!

Finally!

Louder Than a Bomb

Right now I am confident.

I am confident because I finally completed the most awaited event in my college history: my portfolio preparation review. This was more nerve wracking than the actual portfolio class because if I pass this then I go into the portfolio class confident, and with not much work left.

I passed the class.

Everyone at the table inside the portfolio prep review praised my work. They all sat happily listening to my work. They listened to me talking about my passion for my major. They listened to me talking about my favorite projects, they were actually interested! This was a huge confidence booster. I worked for so long to achieve this goal. I have worked on some of these projects for years and finally polished everything for my portfolio. I am beyond ecstatic that someone would find my work enjoyable.

I have compared some of my work with some of my peers and although I know that I still need lots of practice and experience, I am very comfortable at the position I am in. I have a job as an audio technician. I have two band albums under my belt and I even recorded a mariachi. I have done a series of short films and I'm currently another one and have been booked for a feature film at the end of the year. I am very happy at the opportunities I've had in the past few months; and now more than ever, I have seen my growth since day one definitely pay off.

I am now calm.

Just a few days ago, I could not sleep, I had forgotten about the existence of food, and I focused my whole being in finishing my work. I did the best I could. My website, collateral and paperwork for my portfolio look just the way I pictured, with a clean minimalist look that represents my brand. My reel sounds better than I hoped and it looks way better than I ever thought it would. Now I’m at the homestretch. I am a quarter off from finishing; its now time to buy all my materials and focus on growing as a brand and a business.

Networking Events I Need To Attend

NAB Show

NAB Show, the world's largest annual conference and expo for professionals who create, manage, and distribute entertainment across all platforms. The world craves quality content. And for the pros who hunger to create and deliver it NAB Show® is the only source to satisfy your appetite. Overindulge in hands-on experiences with emerging technologies and the latest innovations, limitless networking and learning opportunities, and the inspiration to take your work to the next level.

CES

The International CES is the world’s gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technologies. Held in Las Vegas every year, it has served as the proving ground for innovators and breakthrough technologies for more than 40 years—the global stage where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace.
The International Consumer Electronics Show (International CES) showcases more than 3,600 exhibitors, including manufacturers, developers and suppliers of consumer technology hardware, content, technology delivery systems and more; a conference program with 250 sessions; and 150,000 to 160,000 attendees from more than 140 countries.

Musikmesse

Musikmesse in Frankfurt am Main is the world’s most important fair for musical instruments, sheet music, music production and music business connections. At Musikmesse, manufacturers from all over the world present a complete spectrum of products for making music. From classic instruments, acoustic or electric guitars and basses, brass and woodwind instruments, percussion and keyboard instruments to electronic equipment and computer hardware and software, Musikmesse is where all innovations are presented to international visitors at the same time and place. Additionally, all important publishing companies exhibit at Musikmesse and show their works in all genres, from classic to jazz, rock and pop.

InfoComm International

InfoComm International is the trade association representing the professional audiovisual and information communications industries worldwide. From offices around the world, InfoComm serves its members and the industry through: Education, including technical and business courses, in the classroom and online. Resources, such as AV standards, thought pieces and market research. Events, including local roundtables and international trade shows.

NAMM Show

The NAMM Show is the world's largest trade-only event for the music products industry. It is held every January in Anaheim, California, US at the Anaheim Convention Center, and is one of the two largest music product trade shows in the world. The music begins at The NAMM Show—and for that reason, it attracts the world's most powerful buyers. Exhibitors and buyers alike make the annual trip to Anaheim from across the globe.

Career Goals

During the past 5 years I have achieved more goals that I thought possible. Exactly 5 years ago I graduated high school and it was time for my dreams to come through. Yet I had to stand still for almost 2 years awaiting my visa to study for college. I had chosen the college I wanted to attend since my sophomore year of high school, I would attend the Art Institute and obtain a Bachelor Degree in Audio Production, no matter the cost. Right before I started classes I achieved my second goal, my first EP recorded from my bedroom with my own songs; listening back to it now, I realize how much I've come along.

Once in college I was able to be a part of 4 short films, first as a Boom Operator and Field Sound Mixer, then as an Audio Editor and Sound Designer. All of this gave me a huge boost of confidence to move forward and look for freelance work which led me to work for John Hess of GK Hess Co, Karen LeBlanc from The Coverings Show, and even the VA Global News; all during the beginning of 2014. Finally around my birthday I was introduced to live audio while working at my first international tour at the Lady Gaga concert at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on July 2014 as an audio hand. That event led to many others, not only at the MGM but all around the Las Vegas Strip and beyond including the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and the Orleans Arena.

My next goal and main focus is to graduate from the Art Institute of Las Vegas with a great portfolio and a 4.0 GPA. The goal is to exceed expectations with my projects and finesse them until they are more than presentable, until they represent me. So far, to be included in my portfolio I have 4 short films for which I did Location Sound for all 4 and Sound Design and ADR for the first 3 named Beguilement. I have 2 more short films Abducted Mind and Deprivation, which I edited sound for and 1 short for which I recorded and edited all ADR and Foley and I am currently redesigning the sound score. I also worked in a team project to redesign the entire sound of the short film animation The Backwater Gospel. I have 2 EPs with local bands set to release this year, one of which will release an official music video in the next 2 months and one live session that I recently recorded with Guts, a local punk band. I will also include one of my most exciting studio recording sessions which consisted of 4 songs with the Mariachi Los Gavilanes the Monaco Middle School.

Overall it has been a great 5 years and I am most certainly looking forward for the next 5.

Excitement on the Web

These 5 things can make any website exciting. 

A video or gif playing in the background. As long as the content is not too distracting, a video is a great way to keep the consumer occupied and interested in your website. 

A slide show of the feature projects. The moving pictures have to rotate every few seconds. The titles have to be attractive and clear. The pictures need to be high resolution, colorful and well focused. 

Lots of information in the front page. Not only features should dominate the website but the most recent news or projects, tweets, and content reviews. Anything that is involved with your field that could be interesting to the consumer. 

Moving icons. The animation of simple buttons on your page could make the consumer curious about what each of them are. 

Originality. New fonts that only belong to you could attract the eye as long as they are clear and organized. Original logos, animations, backgrounds, anything that makes your brand original can keep the consumer asking to learn more about you. 

Whaterver Works

To do whatever you can do for your dream job is completely valid for some people, however, when sleeping with people turns into networking that’s where I draw the line. You have to work hard doing what you love, not work someone hard to get you to where you want to be. Networking is important, yes; but your actions speak louder than words and actually showing others your work is the most important part of networking. I think it’s pretty cool that the lady from the movie found herself. Knowing that you’re a free spirit and being in a cage for a long time is excruciating.

When the lady found again her love for photography she worked like crazy making more and more pieces. That’s what is all about; when you love your job you live it and breathe it and everything is amazing. You tend to make projects one after the other in such short time. That is the best part about doing something you love. You find yourself and let it consume you. The projects become daily routine of adventure.

To become the person that I am today I have changed many things in my life that were toxic to

me, that I did not fully believe. Now I feel more in touch with what I love. My attention can be 

completely applied to my passion. I am now a happier, healthier person since I found myself and I 

know that like the lady in the move, there might be many years coming up that might require more 

artistic exploration and my work will grow and flourish from it.

EOC: Devil Wears Prada

This movie is one big job experience. It has nothing to do with fashion and designer clothes, it's all about the way you carry yourself in a job. Starting from the interview Andy shows no incentive other than to pay the rent, she did not look up the company or the person in charge, she did not dress for success and when it came down to the questions she seemed shy and insecure. The only reason she landed that job is because all the other people that would fit the role of model would not fit the role of brains.

Once in the job she still didn't care; she wasn't prepared to take notes, she still did not do more research on the company and she still stood up to the manager who in this case was the holy mother of fashion per say. Once again, this attitude would have landed anyone fired. After a while in the movie she hangs on, she studies up and becomes a successful human being.

The part that might be misleading is that she might be successful because of the way she dresses or her sense of fashion but because she took the time to pay attention to herself and bettered every aspect of her life. From clothes to knowledge she started to impress people. Loving your job, no matter how insignificant doesn't mean that you have to let the job take over you, instead you become the person you want to be, doing what you love and the job pretty much does itself. You live, breathe and be every aspect of your job and success will finally look approachable.