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Issue #35
by L. Swift and Jeff McQ
About a year ago, Recording Connection graduate Hadley Alley moved from Washington State to Los Angeles to pursue his passion in audio engineering. Since that time, he’s seen his career explode with multiple opportunities (including a major album release), thanks in part to some help from Recording Connection Student Services and Hadley’s mentor, Steve Sundholm of Kung Fu Bakery in Portland, OR.
After previously interning with BMG Rights Management in Los Angeles and graduating Washington State University with a degree in Political Science, Hadley decided to enroll in the Recording Connection to take his music education to the next level with hands-on experience working in a real recording studio. “I knew I wanted to continue pursuing my passion for music production and audio engineering,” he says. “My ultimate goal is to obtain a career where I’ll be working with producers to create the sounds that people want to hear.”
Completely self-taught on several DAW music production programs such as Ableton Live, Logic 9, and FL Studio 10, Hadley had developed a strong passion for music production in genres ranging from hip hop, to jazz to EDM. During his internship with BMG, he also learned the ways in which artists, producers, and songwriters interact with their publishers. Even with his previous experience, Hadley felt something was missing and the Recording Connection’s on-the-job apprenticeship opportunity with Steve Sundholm filled that missing piece.
With continuing support from Recording Connection and his mentor, since returning to L.A., Hadley has had the life changing experience of working at ES Audio in Burbank/Glendale (another favorite Recording Connection mentor studio). He’s also been working with several up-and-coming bands and artists, including indie electronic duo Dire Docks, whom he also manages! The duo’s debut LP In Waves was released last week on Bitcrush Records; their single “Georgia Line” was recorded and mixed at ES Audio and appears in YouTube sensation Shane Dawson’s recently released film Not Cool, now in theaters!
You can check out some of Hadley’s work with Dire Docks in the “Apprentice Media” section below. Congratulations, Hadley—we’re proud of you!
Connect with Hadley Alley:
Twitter: @the_mad_hadder | Instagram: @themadhadder
After earning a Business Administration and Marketing degree at University of Maine Machias, Ofu Obekpa wanted to do something more related to his natural talents and interests in the entertainment industry. He’d been acting since he was five, had written, produced, directed and starred in several films and stage productions, and had even taken some acting lessons with actress Shannon Eubanks (The Patriot, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil). To take his skills to the next level, he decided to move to Atlanta, where he enrolled in the Film Connection as an apprentice under Steve Carmichael of Radiant3 Productions.
As Ofu finished up his apprenticeship, the Film Connection arranged for him to go to Los Angeles to meet with several top industry professionals so he could get acquainted with the Hollywood film industry and pitch his latest film idea. Ofu checked in with us to let us know how things went…
RRF: What was the experience like with your Film Connection screenwriting mentor?
Ofu: The experience was great. I think Kevin Christopher is a genius. He takes you step by step and holds your hand all the way. He knows what he is doing. He is detail oriented and allows the flexibility of adapting ideas that fits your concepts. Working with Kevin Christopher was inspiring. He went far and beyond in helping me with my post-production skills. He made me fall in love with editing. I can now say, “I am a well-rounded filmmaker!”
Kevin was on set with me when we did the explosive scenes. I thought that was awesome for him to come out and supervise me. He guided me all the way through my shots!
RRF: What was the film concept you pitched?
Ofu: The film concept I pitched was “From the Shadows.” A crime boss with a god-complex threatens the livelihood of one of his assassins. The Assassin must join forces with his partner to take him down.
RRF: You visited Los Angeles to pitch your movie to Alex Keledjian (Project Greenlight). What was the reaction?
Ofu: Alex is a cool individual who is straight up Hollywood. He loved my pitch/story. I think for the most part, we connected on an individual level. He understood where I was coming from so we connected well. He gave me some valuable advice as well – advice that I will cherish for the rest of my film career.
RRF: Before departing back to Atlanta, you met with financial expert/consultant Eric Sherman. What would you say was the most important thing you took from that meeting?
Ofu: I loved the energy and spirit in his personality. He gave me some helpful tips that will be valuable in the near future. The most important thing I took from him was his honesty. I like being around such people. He has lots of wisdom. If I have the opportunity, I would love to work with him someday. Great guy! He said never give up, which is one of the most valuable keys to success.
RRF: What are you currently working on? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Ofu: I’d better be getting an Oscar in five years. Anything is possible! I am having meetings with few potential investors and getting my business documents/portfolio together.
Learn more about The Film Connection Method that enables you to learn where you live, learn from famous filmmakers and pitch your movie to Hollywood in person!
Connect with Ofu via Facebook & Twitter. You can check out some of his work in the “Apprentice Media” section below!
This week, Brian met with legendary producer/engineer Adam Moseley of Headroom for Days. Adam has three decades of experience in the music industry, with credits that include Beck, Rush, The Cure and Maxi Priest. He’s also worked on movie scores and mixing for Spike Jonze and Robert DeNiro. Adam Moseley recently agreed to become a mentor for the Recording Connection (More on this next week!).
Brian’s also been in the lab with EDM producer, composer and musician Eric Hoegemeyer (Jessica Hernandez, Pete Tong, Moonshine Bandits, Luder). Together, they’ve been talking Logic, Ableton, Pro Tools and other DAWs and Electronic Music Program 2015!
Just a few updates on the Pensado Vintage King Gear Expo 2014…
Time’s running out to submit your photos for our latest contest! Tag us in your Instagram photos showing candid shots in the studio or working with artists, and you can WIN!
Here’s how it works:
All disciplines included: Recording, Radio, and Film!
Share unique and/or inspiring candid photos on Instagram of you, your mentor, the studio, or people you’re working with. Anything fun and exciting!
To submit a contest entry, include the appropriate hashtag on Instagram: #recordingconnection, #filmconnection OR #radioconnection. You can submit as often as you’d like!
Hashtag MUST be present in order for the photo to be considered.
Deadline for this month’s contest is Friday October 3rd.
Recently, our friend Grammy winner Dave Pensado and Recording Connection mentor Matt “Linny” Linesch met up at Ocean Way Recording in Hollywood, CA, where Dave gave some one-on-one instruction and filmed a very special Into the Lair segment for Pensado’s Place. Everyone was on hand to help, including Recording Connection student Hannah Finegold, who currently apprentices with Linny in his studio.
Over the past few years, Linny has become a veritable engineering powerhouse with credits that include the 2013 self-titled album Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros as well as their 2012 album “Here” and the Golden Globe-winning soundtrack to All Is Lost starring Robert Redford. Other clients include Insects vs. Robots, The Cerny Brothers, Dave Mason, Fool’s Gold, and the Australian band Wagons.
The famed Ocean Way Recording has yielded some of the most beloved, influential recordings of the 60s and 70s, including The Mamas & the Papas’ “California Dreamin,’” The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations,” and Ray Charles’ version of “I Can’t Stop Loving You” to name just a few. The Ocean Way studios have a great feel, and there’s still a sense of artistic community there, even in this day and age.
Ocean Way Recording is also where Matt Linesch has setup his own studio, giving his Trident 80b board pride of place. Now, a number of fortunate Recording Connection students get to forge their futures in this legendary studio under the direction of one of music’s rising stars. Here, the past, present and future collide, and the music just keeps on getting made.
Be on the lookout for the Into the Lair segment with Matt “Linny” Linesch at Ocean Way Recording. Coming soon!
Radio Connection mentor Sean “The Rabbi” Tyszler has been keeping our student apprentices quite busy at his station, WMMR 93.3-FM in the Philadelphia area. In recent months, students have had the opportunity to use studio equipment, watch on-air live sessions featuring Sean and special guests, record their own demos, operate the radio board, and learn VOX pro! “It’s a very hands-on studio,” says The Rabbi!
The Film Connection is proud to be partnering with yet another new mentor: Nelson Ramirez, studio manager of 1905 Film Studios in Las Vegas, Nevada! Deriving its name from the year Vegas was born, 1905 Film Studios was founded by a group of passionate film directors and crew members who have worked together for years. From their state-of-the-art 4000 square-foot studio in the heart of town, 1905 offers a full array of quality production services to a wide range of clients, and they even rent their facility out for other shoots. This will give our film student apprentices a great range of experience and connection within the “Entertainment Capital of the World.”
We’re excited to have Nelson Ramirez and the team at 1905 Film Studios helping our students pursue their dreams of a career in film, and we look forward to what our students will accomplish under Nelson’s leadership and guidance!
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