CMD News

CMD Is SAG-AFTRA Approved To Provide Safe In-Studio
Recording and Audio Post Production Services

COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOL

We at CMD take COVID-19 very seriously and are keeping a very close eye on all the latest news in the United States and around the world. We are taking all necessary steps following New York State guidelines and the CDC to keep our employees and clients safe during this time. Here is a list of actions we are taking in reducing the risks associated with the coronavirus.

● Our lobby, kitchen, and studios all have hand-sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. In addition, all employees must wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds upon entering the facility.

● Disinfectant wipes are readily available throughout our offices to easily wipe down frequently touched surfaces including workstations, countertops, and doorknobs.

● We will refrain from shaking hands with clients, and will maintain recommended distances while working together in our studio.

● Employees must wear masks and gloves at all times while in the workplace.

● CMD keeps a very small staff on site for in-studio bookings. Only the Production Manager, Sound Technician, and VO talent will be on premises on an as-needed basis. All other parties will dial in to listen in and be a part of the session.

We appreciate your trust during these unprecedented times. To protect our staff, we also ask our clients to communicate with us if anyone you have been in contact with is experiencing any symptoms or has been exposed to the virus.
If you have any questions about these precautions, please do not hesitate to reach out and ask.

How to Record and Edit Remote Podcasting in a Quarantined World: Making “Hot for Creature”

May 4th, 2020 by Dylan Dagenais

Remote recording is for now the new normal. The audio industry is adapting in incredible ways and podcasters are finding new ways to adapt.

I have to admit, as a podcaster I was at a bit of an advantage when the pandemic hit. My podcast has been recording remotely for a year now.

Rob Katz and I grew up together in a suburb outside Philadelphia. As we hit our teenage years we became obsessed with horror. When Freddy’s claw burst through that wall, he opened behind him a new world of bad dreams. Horror was a realm of imagination where you were limited only but the scope of your nightmares.

Eventually we did get out of the suburbs, but went to different coasts. Rob went to Los Angeles to pursue filmmaking and I went to New York and became a producer.

The first season of the “Hot for Creature” podcast is available now.

Hot for Creature began as a conversation in my dad’s car. Rob and I, both struggling and unemployed before we made our moves, were tossing around ideas of what kind of podcast we could do. We decided on monster movies; the total examination of a monster’s film canon, beginning with werewolves.

We recorded remotely and I was able to use the editing facilities after work while I was producing at CMD Studios. I was working on big name projects with advertising and film clients during the day and editing my scrappy podcast by night.

HFC became bigger than we ever expected, as Blumhouse and Fangoria’s Ryan Turek and Rob Galuzzo met Rob when we were working on “The Howling” episode. The show has been shouted out in Fangoria and lauded by horror fans.

Below are my tips and tricks; the lessons I’ve learned in producing, recording and editing a podcast remotely. Practice may not make perfect, but it does help in a time of crisis.

#1: RECORDING FLOW: IF YOU CAN’T SEE ME, I CAN’T SEE YOU

Set yourself up for success in the edit by how you record.

Dylan and Rob stay in visual contact using Discord.

The first and most important thing is: Make sure you can see the other speakers when you record. Rob and I use the Discord app because it work well for us and is built to handle multiple people in real time.

Visual information is extremely important to work off of. The biggest problem with remote recording is talking over each other due to lag. As you record remotely you need to learn how to signal your fellow podcaster/s when it is their turn to talk. Facial cues will be important. With remote podcasting silence is easier to edit out than doublespeak.

Be patient when you talk. Remember, timing is in the edit not in the recording.

#2: CREATING NORMALCY IN AN ABNORMAL SITUATION

Especially when you’re trying to make a remote conversation sound off the cuff like a normal conversation, an editor creates the feel of the show. Hot for Creature is a very comedy-heavy podcast. Rob and I are jokey people and we both have a patter when we converse. Since we have to consciously slow down and deconstruct that patter when we record, I have to recreate it in the edit.

Something the editor needs to feel out is timing. Whether the podcast is comedy-heavy or not, the conversation is most intriguing when it’s smooth but not airless. I love the sound of a quick conversation, but a joke will never land without a little room tone. Since we record with headphones, I have a ton of room tone to work with every time the other person speaks.

I always recommend doing a sync up for a remote podcast. Rob and I do the traditional “1, 2, 3, CLAP”. But the important thing about a sync is that it is a guideline in the edit- not the be all end all. Use the sync as a tool, but mistrust it. There will always be some lag to any sync. Sometimes I offset it a little, other times I keep it in place and then work around it. But it should never be your northern star.

 #3: THE EASY AND THE HARD CHOICES

It’s easy to cut time from your podcast by cutting out silence and misspeaking. However, it is a rookie mistake to cut out too much silence or too many stumbles. You want the conversation to have flow, not to sound stilted or patched together.

HFC co-host Rob Katz uses the Blue Yeti USB microphone.

The tough choices come when you’re editing tangents or subjects that run on too long and cover similar territory. My rule is generally that if it stays in the podcast it is either on topic or really funny/entertaining. This is what they mean when they say kill your darlings. But don’t cut out everything that makes your podcast special. I usually have to edit out about 20 minutes of audio to make a podcast the right length. So if something is going to make the final cut, it has to earn its place.

The hardest choices are the ones that make more work for yourself. For instance, in our episode on “The Legend of the Werewolf”, Rob made a joke that I should make a Halloween song about putting spiders in someone’s bed. I was left with the decision of whether to spend two hours making the song or just cut the joke. In the end I did the song, and it turned out to be a really funny way to end the episode. Sometimes the hard choice is worth it.

#4: TURNING YOUR LIMITATIONS INTO STRENGTHS

I always say embrace the circumstances you’re under. Due to us doing the podcast remotely and our busy schedules, Rob and I cannot watch the movies for our podcast together. So we will never be able to riff in our podcast the way that a Welcome to the Basement or Mystery Science Theater 3000 does.

But because of this we each bring separate perspectives to every movie, having watched it without the influence of the other. In our “Wolf Man” episode Rob loved the movie and I was more lukewarm about it. We were the opposite on “La Marca Del Hombre Lobo.” But that makes it more special when we watch a movie like “The Company of Wolves” and both love it for our own reasons. Because we each had our own experience, the sharing of that makes it a really energetic and fun episode.

If you have to be isolated and record a podcast, bring your own unique experience to the table. Different perspectives are often what makes a really great episode of a podcast.

#5: WHAT TO SPEND MONEY ON

High-End Microphones: QUALIFIED NO

Dylan’s extremely simple podcasting setup delivers pro level results.

The qualifier is if you have a ton of money in the budget. But the truth is that many podcasters are still using Snowballs and Yetis. They’re more affordable and don’t require the purchase of a preamp.

For my voiceover work I have a Focusrite Scarlett Solo preamp and an Audio-Technica AT4040 that I use, but my cohost uses a Blue Yeti USB microphone. There is a noticeable quality difference but ultimately with a long form podcast the listener’s ear will adjust quickly. While working on On Second Thought with Trevor Noah I realized that this is the case even with the most high-profile podcasts. It is rare you will have three or four high-end mics of the same audio quality.

Izotope Plugins: YES

iZotope’s Voice De-noise plugin is Dagenais’ choice for dialogue restoration.

iZotope’s plugins are a real life-saver. While as a podcast editor you shouldn’t obsess about every noise, the Voice De-noiser will be extremely helpful, especially when you’re recording at home. If the kids make it into the podcast it’s not the end of the world. But the washing machine? Get that out of there. The Dialogue De-reverb plugin is also helpful when dealing with different sonic spaces.

T-RackS Plugins: YES

Mastering is an important step in podcast production, and you’re doing the listener a disservice if you skip it. IK Multimedia T-RackS to my knowledge is the easiest way to master on your own. If you’re new to mastering, throw on one of T-RackS’ classic presets and tweak from there. This will be much safer than popping your file into an automatic program and letting an algorithm do the work.

HFC racks up IK Multimedia’s T-RackS for podcast mastering.

Podcast Music: YES

Because of my music background, I do the music for Hot For Creature, and it is a music-heavy podcast. But if music isn’t your thing then absolutely find an independent artist who needs the work. Good music is worth it and musicians want to work with you.

Podcast Promotion: NO

While there are great podcast promoters out there, you will be better served learning to do it yourself. Or if you know someone who is great with social media, use them. Go with someone you trust. I never recommend hiring somebody you don’t know to do your branding.

#6: SUSPENSION OF DISBELIEF

Dylan Dagenais is a podcaster and the co-host of “Hot for Creature.”

Ultimately, a listener wants to be entertained by a podcast. As sound editors we are trained to obsess over every little detail, but it is important to remember that every listener will have their own experience. Some of my favorite podcasts have audio hiccups. The grassroots nature of podcasting makes me as a listener willing to accept that. Sometimes it’s even endearing. Don’t strive for perfection. Strive to make a good listening experience.

— Dylan Dagenais is a New York-based producer, composer and voice actor. He currently produces the podcast Hot for Creature and previously worked on On Second Thought with Trevor Noah and the film Dark Waters.

Fall 2019 Newsletter

Check Out CMD’s Latest Updates!

Audio Post Moves: Creative Media Design Names Lia Perretti Head of Production

October 2nd, 2019 by David Weiss

One of New York City’s most creative audio post facilities, Creative Media Design (CMD), has expanded their team.

Lia Perretti has joined CMD as Head of Production. She comes to CMD after working with several of NYC’s top advertising agencies, including Publicis New York, Havas, and McCann New York. Perretti’s account portfolio includes blue chip brands such as Verizon Wireless, Intel (with Blue Man Group), and Volvo, the latter of which was awarded Best Radio Campaign at the London International Award Show. A native of Growing up in Long Island, NY and Westport, CT, Perretti is a graduate of the School of Visual Arts.

As Head of Production at CMD, Perretti is overseeing the functions of the production department and team for all active projects, as well as ensuring the best possible client experience.

January 2019 Newsletter

Happy New Year! We hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday season. Time to kick off 2019 with lots of great CMD happenings to share!

Rachel Dratch and Wendell Pierce for Audible
We had the pleasure of recording Rachel Dratch and Wendell Pierce for Audible's new audiobook series Bedtime Stories For Cynics. This hilarious and totally inappropriate series of children's short stories (for adults) is well worth a listen - here's the Soundcloud link to some previous episodes.

Check out our CMD Photos page to see Wendell Pierce in action!

Become A Podcast Pro
Here at CMD we have a great deal of experience producing podcasts. We're currently working on two ongoing podcasts for global organizations KPMG & JPMorgan Chase. So we thought we'd share some valuable tips and insights into podcast production. We've recently published two articles to help inform you about Podcast Studio Recording and how to use Podcasts For Your Business. Have a look and share with your colleagues.

Street Stories Benefit Mini-Doc
Our November 2018 benefit went a long way in helping our local homeless community through the amazing organization Knock Knock Give A Sock. Take a look at CMD News to view event photos, listen to our audio interviews, and check out Dave Hart's original composition "Look Me In The Eye". All the hard work and creative collaboration culminated in the mini documentary Street Stories, a first-hand look at what life is like for nine homeless individuals here in New York City.

CMD Staff Projects - Bob's Music Mixing
We'll be highlighting some of the personal projects that our creative staff here at CMD are involved with. Bob recently mixed the world-music track "Awaken Heart and Mind" by percussionist, vocalist and master mbira player Kevin Nathaniel. Have a listen to a bit of the mix on Bob's page. You'll also see some of his work with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Stay tuned for more projects from the rest of our team!

Fall 2018 Newsletter

Happy Fall! We just want to say hello and share some of the exciting Fall Happenings that are going on at CMD.

Atypical Podcast

Up next, we had the incredible opportunity to record Nik Dodani of Netflix’s hit show “Atypical”, for an NPR podcast.  Nik was in conversation (remotely) with the show's lead, Keir Gilchrist, along with author and  show contributor David Finch, an expert in autism.  It was an honor to have this rising star in our studio!

Helping The Homeless

We recently partnered with “Knock Knock Give A Sock” an organization whose mission is to combat the stigma around homelessness.  We recorded their personal stories, and we're collaborating with musicians, artists, and our neighbors to create a music video for this important cause. Stay tuned for details of our upcoming fundraiser and music video release party on November 13th at CMD.

Knock Knock Give A Sock Benefit at CMD

On November 13th, 2018, CMD hosted a benefit for Knock Knock Give A Sock, a non-profit organization that battles the stigma of homelessness and creates awareness for the homeless community in New York City. The CMD team is proud to be a Knock Knock Give A Sock business partner giving back to the community where we live and work.

At this very special event we premiered Street Stories, a mini-documentary based on our recorded interviews of nine people who are living without a home. We also exhibited the audio interviews in intimate settings. Dave Hart composed “Look Me In The Eye”, an original song that captures the importance of emotional connection. After listening to his amazing song, the evening’s fun continued with a group background vocal recording session in our Studio A, adding our voices to Dave’s brilliant song.

We couldn’t have achieved this impactful evening without the dedication and hard work of other creative folks. Jeffrey Brabant donated his time to capture pivotal moments on film which EP Joanne Ferraro and editor Kadie Migliarese of JUMP Editorial, put together to create the powerful mini-documentary. Dave Hart was joined by fellow musicians Jeff Ganz on bass and Robbie Kondor on keys. Stay tuned for the upcoming music video. And all of this was spearheaded by April Jaffe of Raise Your Game who brought all the elements together for this evening of community and creative expression.

Street Stories

Audio Interviews

“Look Me In The Eye”

composed by Dave Hart

Event Photos

Women in Business Q&A: Meagan Goodspeed, Production Coordinator and Alessandra Levy, Assistant Producer, Creative Media Design

Meagan Goodspeed originates from Orlando, Florida where she developed a passion for the Film & TV industry. While studying Electronic Media & Broadcasting at Appalachian State University, she accepted an internship at ‘The Late Show with David Letterman’ in NYC. Upon graduating in 2014, she moved to NYC to intern at ‘Late Night with Seth Meyers’ and pursue a life as a freelancer. Meagan’s first steady gig started at CMD as a production assistant. For the following two years she continued to freelance with CMD, and work in the art department as a coordinator on a variety of productions designed by 513 Design and Mary Howard Studio. Meagan is a production coordinator with CMD.

Alessandra is all things innovative. Her musical explorations took her to the University of Miami’s prestigious Frost School of Music where she honed her skills in recording studios, led bands, and sang background vocals for big concerts in the Miami area. Her first television appearance was on PBS; “An Evening with Dave Grusin,” next to Patti Austin and Jon Secada. Following the completion of the Studio Music and Jazz Performance program in 2011, and Two Downbeat Awards later, she moved back to New York City .

Alessandra fell right back into both acting and music upon returning to the big city, and started by getting her foot in the door being a part of over ten national TV shows and three Movies as a featured extra and background actor.

At CMD, she is the Assistant Producer/Production Coordinator and feels right at home in a studio environment.

How have your life experiences made you the leader you are today?

Meagan: I’ve been fortunate in that I’ve had some really incredible bosses and teachers over the years who’ve trusted and encouraged me to challenge myself in ways I didn’t think were possible. When I was in my junior year at a university in a small North Carolina town I head my heart set on interning at the Late Show with David Letterman in NYC. My professors set aside their personal time to re-read my cover letter and resume over and over again, to do mock-interviews and build my confidence in preparation for my first ever official interview. Long story short I was offered the internship and now I live in this amazing city. Through that experience and others I’ve learned how important it is to be there for others in both mental and empathetic capacities and to put your trust in one another. Had my teachers not trusted me to overcome challenges and succeed I’m not sure if I would be where I am today.

Alessandra: I consider myself a leader because if you want to get anything done in life, you can’t ride on anyone else’s coattails. The strong sense of independence that was instilled in me at a young age has helped me become a natural leader. Every opportunity and life experience truly shapes your life and ability to lead yourself and others.

How have your previous employment experiences aided your tenures at CMD?

Meagan: When I moved to NYC in 2014 I started working as a freelancer mostly in the art department on various productions, while also waitressing on the side. Between those two positions there was often a level of uncertainty and discomfort that I had to be okay with. For instance, when I was a freelancer at Mary Howard Studio one day I’d have to scavenge the entire city for a ton of vintage mid-century TV sets while another day I’d have to source plants that would tastefully cover James Franco’s body parts (it was an Adam & Eve photo shoot). In both freelancing and waitressing I never started the day knowing what the journey or outcome would be, but I learned to welcomingly embrace the unknown. Having that skillset makes working in a production office much easier to manage. Sure, I’ll get a curveball thrown my way every now and then, but I know that I’ll figure it out one way or the other through determination and positivity.

Alessandra: I have worked for some high-stress and very tough production companies and offices, and I think that has helped me to manage stress and help me become even more organized, especially in scheduling and coordinating many projects at once. Every experience you have is necessary in helping you in your next endeavors, I truly believe that!

What have the highlights and challenges been during your tenures at CMD?

Meagan: I’ll start with the highlight I’m most proud of. My relationship with CMD is interesting in that my first freelance gig began here in the fall of 2014. Now that I’m a fulltime employee I am grateful to have the luxury of seeing exactly how much I’ve grown in that time. I still remember the nervous energy I felt on my first day. I had never worked with clients or casted talent before. Even screening phone calls was a new & embarrassingly intimidating experience for me. Now that I’ve worked with CMD fulltime for a year, I have regular clients whom I work with often and have great relationships with, I can cast talent for a project in a matter of minutes and the phone is my new best friend.

Perhaps the most challenging thing I’ve encountered in my position is the responsibilities that come with working in a small office and being able to balance them. My position is officially production coordinator, but I can also identify as an accountant, casting agent, director, interviewer and social media guru. Balancing all of these positions and making sure I’m doing them well is a constant but welcomed challenge. Time management has been a quality that I’ve needed to strengthen so CMD is definitely helping with that!

Alessandra: As it’s May and I’m starting sixth full month at CMD, I would say my biggest highlights have been working for an incredible boss who gives me opportunities to join professional organizations in my field, and be a part of programs to develop myself in every way.

What advice can you offer to women who want a career in your industry?

Meagan: Take advantage of the resources that are available to you. Perhaps the most effective approach I took to establish myself in this industry was networking with acquaintances that I knew worked in production. Because of the relationships I made, I was offered amazing internships and experiences I’m not sure I would’ve gotten otherwise. If you’re new to the industry, I would also strongly recommend joining a group like WICT, a US-based organization which offers training, networking opportunities, and job resources, with links to local chapter sites. WICT is all about women supporting women, which I think is something everyone needs no matter how new or old you are to the industry.

Alessandra: Throw yourself into the fire! Start small, work your way up, even if that means working in a small production house or getting on a film/tv set working as a production assistant or assistant to a director. Work hard, show up on time, all the things you hear, but they matter. Being organized and reliable will help you go very far in this industry!

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your careers to date?

Meagan: Open communication and respect for other people’s ideas and time is so important. When I work with clients I always strive to provide the most streamlined service for them. This means that I always read emails all the way through, I’ll ask the necessary questions upfront, and I’ll communicate any concerns or ideas that I have that will get us the best results for the project. Through doing all of this I save so much time not only for myself but also for the clients by reducing the amount of back and forth. No matter how challenging the project is I know everything will be okay when the client and I have mutual respect for one another and we’re both open to solving problems together.

Alessandra: Creating opportunities within your job and life where you see fit will help you succeed and enable you to build your life by design.

How do you maintain a work/life balance?

Meagan: I’m involved with a program at work called “What Do You Want For Yourself?” This program aims to help people separate their work from the personal lives so you can have that balance that is so often hard to achieve. My boss Mike Zirinsky and our business consultant Art DeLorenzo hold me accountable on a weekly basis to do the activities that I enjoy after work. Every week I work out and try new recipes in the kitchen. On a long term basis I plan trips to look forward to. Living and working in NYC is difficult, but I don’t let this city get in the way of my love for traveling and experiencing new cultures. In May I’ll be visiting Montreal for the first time and I’m counting down the days!

Alessandra: I make sure I put my family and myself first. You are only the best at your job when you put yourself first. Self-care is the most beautiful gift you can give yourself.

What do you think is the biggest issue for women in the workplace?

Meagan: I think the most difficult hurdle to jump is being able to have confidence in yourself and stand up for what you deserve. During my college years in the Deep South, though my school was quite liberal, it was still hard to not feel less than as a woman sometimes. When I moved to New York it took me a long time to become comfortable with the idea that being direct and adamant about what you want for yourself is not something to be ashamed of. Speaking up for myself is still something I try to work on regularly.

Alessandra: This is too big of a question for a short answer, so I’ll do my best. Women often feel they cannot speak up and ask for the same treatment as men, plain and simple. Women who speak out and up are often shut down and made to feel they are being aggressive and rude, when really we have every right to demand the same payment as our male counterparts, offered promotions, given paid maternity leave, and all the same treatments as men expect and receive in the workplace.

How has mentorship made a difference in your professional and personal lives?

Meagan: I’ve never had an official mentorship, but that is not to say I haven’t had the help of many people! When I first came to NYC I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and my first bosses provided a lot of guidance and advice on how to figure that out. 3 years and many gigs and internships later I feel like I’m finally on a sturdy path to success. Just through asking questions and experiencing the many different areas of the industry, I’ve learned so much about myself.

Alessandra: Although I have not had too much mentorship in my life, I think in general asking these important people questions, asking for suggestions and observing are the best tools you can use to build up your reputation and help you to become the person you want to be.

Which other female leaders do you admire and why?

Meagan: In all of the chaos that has been 2017 thus far, I’ve turned to books to find some sense of sanity. I just finished reading a book of feminist poetry called “Milk and Honey” by Rupi Kaur, which includes themes of femininity, abuse, love, and loss. Her poems are beautifully written and one in particular has become my mantra. It is “She is water. Soft enough to offer life, tough enough to drown it away.” I admire tough women who embrace the good and bad experiences of their pasts, and transform them into something tangible that can resonate with others. I think the power of language is so important in making a change and Rupi Kaur’s work is a great example of that.

Alessandra: I would like to recognize my Grandmother who in her mid 40’s decided she was going to make huge strides in the Village of New Hyde Park by becoming the first Woman Trustee in the history of the village from 1993 until 2001. She then went on to becoming the President of The Chamber of Commerce as well as the Town Historian in New Hyde Park. She is a true inspiration to me and many others because of her sheer determination and ability to put herself in a male-dominated arena and surpass and exceed expectations. She truly shattered that glass ceiling.

What do you want CMD to accomplish in the next year?

Meagan: In early April we launched our sister company, The Voice Shop, a voice over coaching service offering group classes, webinars, private lessons, and voice demo production located at CMD’s studio facility. It is my hope that The Voice Shop will become a viable resource to those looking to pursue voice over acting as a career. I’m also working on improving our social media content on Facebook and Instagram. The ultimate dream is to go viral of course, but if I can continually provide high quality and interesting content to our followers then I’ll be pretty happy with that.

Alessandra: I will continue to work hard each and every day, gain new and prominent clients. As long as I am growing as a person, I consider that the biggest accomplishment.