“Desktop Production has truly become a viable alternative to the large-scale, analog or hardware based studio. Therefore, I make sure I can demonstrate to students the variety & universality of software tools and technologies available to them, be they within Logic, Reason or any current DAW system. Having a good understanding of what is capable within any of these programs allows the creative individual to adapt to any environment, get the job done faster, and hopefully learn something new along the way.”

Cross-Canada Skateboarding Documentary
What's the sound of the longest distance traveled on a skateboard? OIART grad Joel Waddell (2004-05) is about to find out. Joel is THE sound man for a feature-length documentary (currently in pre-production) about 3 east coast Longboarders who will travel across Canada (from St. Johns, NL to Victoria, BC) to raise money and awareness for breast cancer research. The excursion will be the longest long board trek ever and the boarders hope to reach a goal of $1 million. Joel is currently working out pre-production details and an equipment complement for the audio on the project, before he fulfils his responsibilities as location sound recordist, sound designer and post-production editor and mixer.

When asked if OIART prepared him for such a massive undertaking, Joel had the following to say:

“If I hadn't attended OIART, I wouldn't have known what audio equipment I needed or where to go to get it. Bob Breen [OIART Career Counselor & Industry Liaison] got me connected to a source for the gear I'll be using and OIART, in particular the Audio for Pictures course, gave me the education to understand what to purchase and how and why I'll use it. This is the best thing to happen to me and I feel it's the first stepping stone in my career. None of it would have been possible without the education & support I got at OIART.”

In coming newsletters, we will keep you updated on the details of Joel's project as we get them. Congratulations Joel and best of luck!

Alumni in the Spotlight
OIART grad David Ciccarelli is no “newbie” to the audio business. Not content to stick with the traditional studio business, David's entrepreneurial sense has led him to found his latest and greatest internet based audio business Interactive Voices; an online marketplace, connecting buyers and sellers of voice-over services. After graduating from OIART in 1999-2000, David quickly started up his own “Flying Disc” studios here in London, ON., primarily focusing on voice-over and music demo work. This studio work, coupled with David's research into internet based businesses gave him the idea for Interactive Voices. David recently spoke at InterNETwork London; a gathering of London's technology industry, on using podcast technology and how he sees the web evolving in 2006. David will also be coming into OIART later this year to speak about starting and running your own audio business.

OIART Pro Tools instructor nominated for Producer of the Year
This year's London Music Awards have nominated Siegfried Meier for Producer of the Year. Siegfried has worked with such acts as Machete Avenue, Seconds to Go, Kittie, The Soap Opera Coma, Blue Skies at War, Appertain Display, Capeside, Baptised in Blood, Bordertown, Broken Glass Wings, Riverside, Chasing Mercury, Jersey, Curtis. If you like the work Seigfried has done and want to vote for him or for some of these bands, you can visit http://www.londonmusicawards.com/vote/vote.lasso

Applications for upcoming years
A reminder to go to the new OIART website to apply for the upcoming academic year as we are currently accepting applications for 2006-07 & future academic years. Please be sure to read the requirements on the front of the application before applying to ensure all required materials accompany the application.