MPSE Golden Reels 2011: Reflections on Being Nominated

I must say that last Sunday night's award show at LA's Westin Bonaventure Hotel was quite exciting for me.  Not only did I get to spend a much-needed evening out with my wife, I also had the chance to meet up with old friends, make new ones, and watch Walter Murch and George Lucas share their philosophy about filmmaking and sound.  As a sound editor, I found it enlightening.  Their words were refreshing and helped boost my appreciation for the craft more so.

The Monkeyland crew and I were nominated for a Golden Reel this year for our work on the straight-to-DVD title Lost Boys: The Thirst, and  I am extremely honored that my cohorts and I were able to garner recognition by the prestigious MPSE.  Though we didn't take home the gold that night, there are many talented folks who I feel deserved to be thanked for their extremely hard work on Lost Boys.


Big kudos go out to each member of our sound effects, foley, dialogue and design crews for not just making Lost Boys awesome sounding, but for challenging themselves regularly on each project that we tackle together.  Thanks guys and girls for pushing your creative limits and bringing many new and great ideas to the table!  You are all golden in my book.


Our re-recording mixers Kelly Vandever and Todd Beckett rocked the stage and totally KILLED it!  Great work fellas!  Keep bringing the BOOM-BOOM!


I am also grateful to Jan Kikumoto, our post production supervisor on this film, for returning to Monkeyland regularly with exciting and design-heavy projects.  We love working with you!


To Sean Wimmer and all the folks whom we worked with at Warner Premiere and WB; thank you for your trust and for letting us get crazy on this film.  It was great fun.  I hope we passed your audition.


The boys from Anarchy Post (the winners in this category) did an amazing job on 30 Days of Night: Dark Days, and I commend them all for their hard work.  Coincidentally, they also took home the prize  at the previous night's CAS Awards, winning the trophy for best mixing on the same straight-to-DVD title.


In the words of Maya Angelou, "We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated."  I look upon my nomination as an honor and as a testament to the hard work of a talented young sound crew.  I will take my nomination and treat it proudly, as it is worth its weight in gold.


May this new year bring us all much enriching work and many wonderful sonic challenges.


Stay golden!