Far Cry 6

I’ve been at Ubisoft for 8 months now and a few weeks ago they finally announced the game I’ve been working on! It’s Far Cry 6, the latest instalment of one of Ubisoft’s biggest franchises, which is very exciting. It’s been great to see all the hype around the game that’s already happening, and I’m looking forward to seeing what everyone thinks when it’s released in February.

The transition to working from home was a tough one - mentally, mostly, physically it was fairly smooth - but four months in and counting, everything’s settled into a routine. Voice Designers, as it turns out, wear many hats, and so learning all the various facets of the position has been probably a little more challenging than it would have been in the office. But I’m finally feeling comfortable and even valuable as an employee, and I’m finding the work to be rewarding and challenging and different every day, which keeps me on my toes. My background in film and TV prepared me well in some ways, but in other ways it’s so totally different.

It’s going to be a busy summer and fall as we prepare for launch!

Marla

Ubisoft

When I left my studio job for freelancing, it wasn’t necessarily because freelancing was my final goal - it was because I didn’t want to take a job just because I NEEDED one, but because it was a job I really wanted. Well, I found something that piqued my interest enough to roust me out of my cozy home office - at the end of November, I started as a Voice Designer for Ubisoft Toronto.

I’ve never worked in video games, nor have I ever worked for a large company, so it’s been a big adjustment, but it’s great so far! I can walk to work, all of my coworkers are really supportive, there’s a lot of great company culture, and the work is really interesting so far, even if I’m still learning the ropes (and will be for awhile yet)!

That also means that my website will go back to being more for my music than a professional hub - and I have a new video to share, so stay tuned. :)

Marla

Open for Business

As of this week, I’m embarking on the journey of freelancing! It’s exciting to have the possibility of working on any kind of project. Currently the plan is to juggle a combination of contract audio work - editing, engineering, mixing, etc. - with freelance music gigs - arranging, composing, scoring, notation, etc. I’ve already made some contacts for the first and I’ve landed my first job for the second, so I’m hoping I can get up and running quickly.

To be honest, I’m not entirely sure what my ideal balance would be, so at this moment I will be taking anything that comes my way and applying to anything that looks intriguing to see what piques my interest the most.

I’m surprised I’m not more apprehensive about diving into the freelance world but mostly I’m just excited. It feels good that I’ve developed the skills and network of contacts that being able to do this is a feasible option, and I’m planning to take full advantage of that to build the most fulfilling career for myself as possible!

So if you or anyone you know need any of the above services or anything even remotely related - hit me up!

Marla

On the Job Hunt

I’ve been at Studio 18 just shy of five years now. It’s been a fantastic place to work - the people are amazing and I’ve learned so many useful skills.

However, I’ve decided recently that it’s time to move on. At the very least I’d like to move into a different genre of television. But I’m curious as to what else is out there. Maybe a further leap into film would be fun. Or something that uses similar skills in a different context, like sound for video games. I’m keeping myself open to any options that come my way!

What I’d really like, I think, is the chance to make more use of my music background. Music editing seems like a field that would be a lot of fun. Or maybe there are more music-related jobs out there I haven’t even thought of. I’m just beginning my job search journey… I’m excited to see what I will find!

Marla

Overdue Update

It came to my attention that I haven't updated my website in a long time, so I'm going to fill you in on everything that's happened in one fell swoop!

Countermeasure has been very busy lately - we just got back from Japan a couple of weeks ago! It was both a wildly successful tour and my first chance to see the country where my dad's side of the family came from. A life-changing experience, for sure!

I've started a mixed barbershop quartet called West Train! We competed in the Ontario District Barbershop Harmony contest in April and placed third in the province, a result we were very happy with given how we'd only pulled the group together a short while beforehand. Excited for future performances!

I've had probably my busiest spring at work to date, working on four different shows including season six of Top Chef Canada for the Food Network and season three of Home to Win for HGTV. Things are wrapping up just in time for us to start on season six of The Amazing Race Canada. Never a dull moment!

The musical I mentioned in my previous post went well and was a rewarding experience. I've also been taking voice lessons since I've been focusing on my singing so much lately, and they've been paying off. Not much to report on the writing/composing/photography front these days - too busy with everything else!

I'll do my best to keep this website more up to date but we all know that can be a struggle... :)

Cheers!

Marla

The Funny Thing About Post Sound

The Amazing Race Canada aired tonight. As there often is for a big show, there was a little do put on by production company so that all the people who worked on it could get together and watch the premiere airing live on TV. 

For many at the production company, it's a wrap party, of sorts. Video editors and writers are all finished their jobs. For the team that was there for the shooting in May, it's more of a fun throwback, a payoff for a job well done in the past.

For me and the post-production audio team, we're just getting started. 

The Amazing Race Canada has an extremely accelerated schedule. On most shows, we sign off on a mix weeks, even months before it airs. But due to the time-sensitivity and confidentiality of Race, we finalize mixes only a week before air, sometimes less. So for us it's more of a "celebrate the beginning of a busy summer" kind of party.

The other funny thing, though, is that we've SEEN the final cut. Most of the people at that party have not. The location crew especially won't know the overall picture; they'll only know the one team they followed around for that particular leg of the race.

That means that I get to chuckle quietly to myself as everyone else roars with laughter at the quip of a person that they know well but I am just getting to know.

It's an interesting feeling. :)

Work Update

It's been awhile since I've mentioned what I'm doing at work! 

Airing right now is Top Chef Canada All-Stars, the Food Network reality show that pulls contestants from the first four seasons of the show. That was a fun one to work on. Pretty tense!

We're also working on season two of Home to Win which premieres next weekend. Home to Win is HGTV's flagship show where all of their star hosts (think Scott McGillivray, Bryan Baeumler, the Property Brothers, Mike Holmes, etc.) renovate a house and give it away at the end of the season.

I'm also working on a new series called The Art Show for CBC, the first show that I'm editing and mixing all on my own (usually I just do the edit - I've mixed some things here and there but never a whole series). Each 5-minute episode features a kid who talks a bit about what they like to do and then does a craft of some sort. It's really cute and I'm enjoying working on it!

The Amazing Race Canada begins filming soon and that'll take up most of the summer, as usual. That one's always a whirlwind!

Busy busy!

Marla

Reunion of Giants

Over the last couple of weeks at work we've been working on a documentary called Reunion of Giants. It tells the story of the last two airworthy Avro Lancaster bombers, one Canadian and one British, reuniting and flying together. 

The film will be playing in select Cineplex theatres and will be available at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton, which is where the Canadian Lancaster lives. 

It was a fun change of pace from our usual TV shows! Check out the the trailer:

Enjoy!

Marla

Workflow

All summer I've been working hard on The Amazing Race Canada, which is very rewarding but takes a lot of time. We've also been working on Custom Built and shortly we'll be starting a new show called Sugar Showdown. But we'll be done Race by mid-month, and while it's always fun to work on I can't say won't be happy to have some more spare time!

It's also really cool to work on something and watch the public react to it. On Wednesday nights, Twitter is buzzing with activity about the latest episode of Race, and it's a good feeling knowing that I helped to contribute to that.

Since I've been so busy with work I haven't had much time to work on anything new, but here are a few pictures that I took recently that I like.

Cheers!

Marla

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Projects on the go

Haven't posted in awhile - I've been incredibly busy with numerous different projects!

The main reason for being busy is that we're in the midst of  The Amazing Race Canada at work! The schedule sets a frantic pace but it's a very rewarding show to work on. It's fun to see the public response it gets when each episodes airs. That goes until mid-September, so it's going to be a busy summer!

I've had a few other projects on the go, as well. This past Saturday, I did a photoshoot with Scott Murdoch of Five by Five Photography, which means I'll have some new modelling photos to share sometime in the near future! I also recently finished a new arrangement for Countermeasure of Hawksley Workman's We Will Still Need a Song, which we'll be performing at the wedding of one of the group members next weekend. I've also been working on my solo singing and guitar playing for a few other little side things, as well! Whew.

Countermeasure has a new video out and I also managed to find a recording of an older composition of mine, so I'll be posting a bit more material in the next few days. Eventually I'd like to start writing posts in more of a blogging style rather than just updates on projects, too. But in the meantime, have a couple of photos that I've taken recently that I like!

Marla