CTV Sound Supervisor visits OIART
Mike Nunan came to lecture at OIART this month discussing his approaches to mixing for High Definition Television within Pro Tools. With his work for CTV and it's various specialty services including Discovery Channel Canada and TSN, Michael has enjoyed supervisory and mixing duties on more than 70 feature documentaries and over 500 episodic programs in the past 9 years. His mixes have garnered him two Gemini nominations for Best Sound. In addition to his Post Production role, he is actively involved in the planning and execution of the audio aspects of High Definition live events like the Juno Awards on CTV and the World Junior Hockey Championships on TSN.

Other guest lecturers for May included Producer/Engineer Dan Brodbeck, Interactive Voices President David Ciccarelli & Doug McClement of LiveWire Remote Recorders. The month of June will include lectures from DJ John Aquaviva, Sound Designer Mark Vogelsang & Live Sound Engineer Craig Kadoke. Alumni Update: Sun & Sound in Maui
On a daily basis, most OIART students and grads are doing work they love. OIART Grad Nick Battist [2004-05], is fortunate enough to love both his work and his location - Maui. Working for singer/songwriter Steve Sargenti, Nick has had the opportunity to engineer in an island paradise. Here's what he's had to say of the experience:

When I first heard about this opportunity from [OIART Career Counsellor] Bob [Breen], I jumped on it. I'm happy to say that it was even more amazing than I could have imagined.  The people I worked for were some of the friendliest people I've ever met in my life, and the work was challenging, and rewarding.  My boss, Steve Sargenti has been living on Maui for 40 years, and works freelance for many of the resorts and bars on the island. My job was to be the engineer in his home studio, where I was responsible for all the recording, editing and mixing.  I was the only worker, so everything fell on me. Steve ran a 24 channel Mackie console and a MOTU 828 MKII, which I was familiar with from OIART.  So I guess the variety of equipment that I got to use at school was paramount in learning my way around this studio, and I feel now that I could go into almost any studio, and get the hang of it very quickly. At the end of my stay, Steve had been so impressed by my work, he wanted to have me back.

Nick will be continuing to work with Steve in the fall. All the best Nick!

Alumni Update: On Track with the Gear
OIART grad Michael Scott (2005-06) knows the latest scoop on what's hot in pro audio equipment working as Pro Audio Sales Specialist at Carbon Sound & Picture in Toronto. 

“I'm enjoying the work because I'm constantly learning about the latest gear as it comes available on the market - in fact we often know what's on the horizon well before it arrives.  It's an exciting part of the industry because we become a sort of filter of knowledge for both the manufacturers & the end-users.  I get direct feedback of product performance in the hands of producers, sound designers, post-production engineers, DJ's and the home recording hobbyists. It's very important to put your personal bias aside and focus in on gear that provides the best solution for a client's needs.  Often that involves developing an awareness of the manufacturer's strengths or weaknesses in such areas as customer service, after sales support, distribution and manufacturing and knowing how that can benefit a customer.”

Mike also says he truly enjoys the job because it affords him time to work on his DJ pursuits. To learn more about careers in Manufacturing, Sales and Service visit the OIART web site.