SoundGirls Podcast

Lenise Bent: Audio Engineer & Producer

Lenise Bent has enjoyed a long career as an audio engineer and producer, honing her skills on many iconic records including “Aja” by Steely Dan and “Breakfast in America” by Supertramp. She is the first female engineer to receive a platinum album for Blondie’s “AutoAmerican” album which includes the very first hit rap song with music, “Rapture”. Lenise is also a post-production audio professional, specializing in recording and editing foley sound effects for many films and animated series and has traveled the world for Dreamworks supervising the foreign dialogue recording and producing the vocals for such animated features as “Shrek”, “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimmaron” and “Shrek 2”. She also archives and repairs audio, instructs, consults and holds workshops for audio students and singer/songwriters. She is a long-standing member of many audio organizations including the Audio Engineering Society, SoundGirls, and the Producers and Engineers Wing of the Recording Academy. Though mostly working in digital recording formats, Lenise recently produced and engineered an all-analog recording with blues/rock/Indy band Primal Kings, recording to 2” tape, mixing to 1⁄2” and cut to vinyl from tape. A “triple A" legacy quality production, recorded and mixed completely out of the box. To know more about Lenise Bent, visit lenisebent.com.

 

Jill Purdy: supervising sound & dialogue/ADR editor

As a prominent Supervising Sound and Dialogue/ADR Editor in the film and television industries of both Canada and the United States, Jill Purdy has an extraordinary record of achievements and awards spanning over two decades. After graduating from both Queen’s University and Sheridan College and initiating her career via a successful internship with Sound Dogs Toronto, Jill gained a distinguished reputation quickly and has continued to thrive at the top of her field. Jill was invited to become a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2018. In addition to 2018’s Oscar-Nominated “The Shape of Water”, Jill’s credits include “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark”, “mother!”, “Molly’s Game”, “Hands of Stone”, “Snow White and the Huntsman”, “Black Swan” and “On the Basis of Sex.” She is currently co-supervising Guillermo del Toro’s “Nightmare Alley”.

Darcy Proper: four-time Grammy award-winning mastering engineer

Darcy Proper is a four-time Grammy award-winning mastering engineer whose work has covered everything from vintage re-issues to cutting-edge immersive audio releases. She has had the pleasure of working for international artists such as Johnny Cash, Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Steely Dan, The Eagles, Ozark Henry, Porcupine Tree, Peter Maffay, David Garrett, Jane Ira Bloom, Blind Guardian, and Helloween just to name a few. Her career started off in NYC, followed by a 14-year stint in Europe, and now she’s
returned to the US and looks forward to continuing her work here, closer to home.

Marla McGuire: Primetime Emmy-Nominated supervising sound editor

Marla McGuire has worked as a sound editor and supervising sound editor for over 20 years in television and film and has worked on over 70 feature and episodic titles. As such she has seen the many changes the industry has gone through. From 24- track tape to the various digital workstations battling to become the industry standard, she’s experienced the evolution to where we are today with pro-tools. She started her career working as part of the production sound team on TV movies. This has proven to be invaluable to her career in post sound.

She has recently served as the supervising sound editor for the long-running series Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder, as well as the highly acclaimed Showtime limited series Your Honor. Marla has been nominated for two Primetime Emmys for her work on Dead by Sunset and See Jane Run, as well as three MPSE Golden Reel Awards for Jean-Claude Van Johnson, Prep & Landing, and Commander in Chief.

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0570254/

Vickie Sampson: sound editor, producer, writer, & director

After a successful and award winning 40 year career as a Supervising Sound Editor with over 200 feature film credits, Vickie Sampson retired six years ago to devote her time and energy to directing. She continues to work on sound  projects for developing filmmakers as her time permits.  

She has directed 7 award-winning short films, over 15 commercials and PSAs.  She has an Emmy, 4 Golden Reel Awards and has worked on Oscar winning  films for sound. She was one of twelve women (out of 600) selected to the Directing Workshop for Women from AFI. 

She has also created and teaches post-production and filmmaking classes to  students at USC, AFI, UCLA, Cal State LA, Video Symphony, Ball State University and guest lectures to LA Post Production Group and LA Final Cut  Pro Users Group. 

She is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences since  1988 in the Sound Branch, the Motion Picture Editors Guild since 1973,  Motion Picture Sound Editors, and is Emeritus Board member of the Alliance  of Women Directors, where she was also one of its original members in 1997.

Marcela Rada: recording, editing, mixing, & mastering audio engineer

Marcela Rada has several years of experience as a sound engineer recording, editing, mixing, and mastering audio for independent artists. She has worked across music genres as well as symphony orchestras, film scoring sessions and ensembles. She holds a Bachelor of Music with a major in Digital Audio Arts from the University of Lethbridge, and a master's degree from Berklee College of Music with an emphasis on Music Production, Technology, and Innovation. Her master’s thesis focused on immersive audio and its application to 360 videos for Virtual Reality and social media platforms. Her experience as a college professor and lecturer has motivated her to become a mentor for those who seek one-on-one instruction in recording and mixing techniques. 

Jan McLaughlin: production sound mixer for film and television

TW // sexual abuse

 

Jan McLaughlin has worked as a production sound mixer for film and television since 1992; currently retired, two Emmy statues adorn her kitchen shelf. Her final film project -- "The Many Saints of Newark" -- is scheduled for theatrical release in September of 2021.

Kelly Kramarik: audio, podcast, mixing, and recording engineer

Kelly Kramarik is an extremely versatile freelance audio engineer based in Denver, CO. With a degree in Advertising, Theatre, and Music Technology, Kelly goes beyond sound design to understand all aspects of production. Her Master's Degree in Recording Arts from the University of Colorado, Denver brings another level of professionalism and experience.

Versatility is crucial to be a successful audio engineer. Working as a podcast engineer at Legal Talk Network, an audio engineer at Starz, and a freelance recording and mixing engineer, Kelly understands how audio differs across platforms, audiences, and topics. Additionally, Kelly has experience working as a production sound mixer and post production mixer, expanding her scope and ability to work in any stage of audio production. Kelly understands the delicacy needed for classical concerts but also the impact of dialogue in the film industry.

Kelly is proud to be a woman in audio, helping balance audio's mainly male-dominated industry. She brings new perspective, insight, and skill to each project she touches. Her ability to get along well with others and make every project as smooth and enjoyable of a process as possible makes her an invaluable asset to any team.

Heather Augustine: touring A1 for theatre

Heather Augustine is an audio engineer currently touring around the US with Broadway-style shows. She graduated from Penn State University with a BFA in Theatrical Design and Technology, with an emphasis on Sound Design, and has been on the road for the past 8 years. During her touring career, she has worked on a variety of shows including Billy Elliot, Dirty Dancing, Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, and Miss Saigon. Currently, she is the A1 for the first national tour of Mean Girls.

Michelle Couttolenc: Oscar & BAFTA winner, Re-recording mixer for cinema

Passioned by sound and cinema since an early age, Michelle started working in sound for films 15 years ago. 

She specializes in re-recording mixing for cinema. 

In April 2021, she was honored with Best Sound Oscar, Bafta, and CAS for the film Sound of Metal.