After receiving a Bachelor of Science in Sound Recording Technology, Kate began her career as a post-production sound effects editor. Over the next several years, she worked her way up to being a supervising sound editor at Warner Bros. and then left to start her own studio, Boom Box Post, with business partner and fellow supervising sound editor, Jeff Shiffman. Together, they lead post-production sound crews for animated television series. In addition, Kate also acts as the re-recording mixer on several series. Recently, Kate and Jeff have launched an additional venture, Boom Box Library, which creates custom sound effect libraries as well as software to aid in the sound design process. Over the course of her career, Kate has been nominated for MPSE Golden Reel Awards, Music + Sound Awards, and a Daytime Emmy. You can read more about her company and enjoy additional blog posts at www.boomboxpost.com.
One Is Not Enough: Understanding Bias in the Audio Community
Kate Finan discusses her first job in a studio, the bias she felt, and challenges all to get out of our comfort zones together.The History of Sound Design
I decided to take a closer look at the history of the term Sound Design, the differences in how it is used across the film and television, interactive and immersive media, and theater industries, and its use and abuse.Creating Monster Vocals with Voxpat
We get to work inside imagined worlds, create sounds for unknown creatures, and image futuristic technology conceived in the minds of the world’s most fantastic artists. These new worlds give us the opportunity to use ever-evolving sound design techniques to breathe life into them.Troubleshooting (and Avoiding!) Common Problems in ProTools
We all have technical difficulties from time to time, especially when using software as intricate as ProTools. But, after years of making what seems like every mistake in the book, hanging out on Avid DUC, and stalking Gearslutz.com, I pride myself in my ability to overhear frantic technical freakouts and supply solid advice on the ...Creative Self-Marketing Ideas for the Audio Professional
In an industry that doesn’t necessarily post jobs on a website, use recruiters, or have a standard interviewing process, how are talented creative people supposed to get their foot in the door? There are so many different ways to answer these questions, but at least one large chunk of this is personal marketing.Career Paths in Film and TV Sound: Stories of Tenacity
A kickass panel with audio professionals from all different backgrounds, with all different backstories and insights, who are at the top of their game. We talked about what drew us to the sound profession in the first place. We talked about working our way up with unerring drive and determination from the machine room, the ...Five Things I’ve Learned About Editing from Mixing
I have been a sound effects editor and supervising sound editor for a long time now. But, I have recently begun mixing a television series here at Boom Box Post. I am enjoying how much I learn each and every time that I sit down at the board, and I am by no means ready ...Designing Signature Sounds
Creating signature sounds is a skill that is absolutely essential to setting yourself up as a high-quality professional sound designer.An Underwater Recording Adventure
At Boom Box Post, we like to consider sound design challenges as creative opportunities. So, when I spotted an episode in which the characters travel via microscopic submarine through a human body, I was excited. Each exterior shot of the submarine illustrated it moving through a viscous plasma-like liquid. I wanted to call upon ...