I see you’ve stumbled across this blog… and lucky you, it’s the first posting. Now you can tell all your friends you knew about it BEFORE it made it to digg.
It’s been a long process creating Noise Freak. It went from an idea I had years ago to being reality today and I hope it’ll continue to grow tomorrow. Originally my company name was “ReelFX” — it was even officially registered as my company name back in 1998… little did I know that was the name of a major production house and I couldn’t use it. Over the years as I learned the in’s and out’s of production and became better at my craft people would respond to a demo or imaging package I had produced by saying, “dude, you’re a freak - I love it” — ha, I wasn’t quite sure if I should awkwardly laugh or seek therapy.
My true passion lies in manipulating sound or “noise.” I can remember lying on the floor when I was about 8 years old listening to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” over and over again because I just couldn’t figure out how he was singing with himself at the same time. I had no concept of multi-track then - so I’d record my voice, rewind the tape and record my “second layer” — and every time I’d play it back only the second take remained. I was baffled and insanely intrigued. Later I became familiar with the great sound designers of today, like Ben Burtt and Gary Rydstrom — when Jurrasic Park came out I remember not only were my eyes glued to the screen but my ears were perked up the entire time. The stomps, screams, snorts - it was amazing.
Later I went to school for recording and was fortunate enough to be hired by one of the best imaging producers in the country, Eric Chase. He mentored me on music, the art of editing, the power of brevity and life in general. I cannot say enough about the impact he had on my career. In fact, we still work together today.
On a final note: one day my dad said to me, “if you find a job doing something you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” He was right. To everyone who grinned and beared it as I looped the most annoying sound over and over again, thanks. Your support helped make Noise Freak become a reality.
Nick