Chris Merrell Interviews Tom Green

Hey there,

I recently wrote an article for Coffey Sound Files, an industry quartely that deals with location sound for features and tv.

Check out the most recent issue (with Inception on the cover) at http://www.coffeysound.com/The-Coffey-Audio-Files.html

I met with and interviewed comedian Tom Green, behind the scenes at his web tv show "Tom Green's House Tonight"

Jonathan Sipes and the Geico Caveman

Jonathan “finally” sent us this picture that was taken while he was working with DCP Productions as a p.a. for the caveman Geico commercial.  (we’ve asked and we’ve asked and we’ve asked - finally he sent it to us.)

Jonathan’s been keeping busy working various gigs but there’s one project he did that I just hafta brag about!

Last April, Lee Weinstock hired Jonathan to do her wedding video card and we’ve gotta say - he did an amazing job!  It exceeded any and all expectations.

Thank you, Jonathan.  Lee will cherish that DVD forever!!

CJ Nickens & Hip Hop artist Paul Wall

I am CJ Nickens, a graduate from Sheffield. I want to help give students an opportunity for them to get experience in the near future. I am currently in Iraq again, but will be leaving here shortly to return back to my business in Germany. I have worked for Bad Boy Entertainment as an engineer shortly after graduating from the the Institute. I own a night club in Germany and work with national recording artists when they come to Europe .

I will be setting up tours throughout Europe in 2009. My intent is to be able to provide housing, food and stipends for interns so they can get experience working the music scene in Europe .

Tell Lee, Rob, and the rest of them thank you for everything when I was a student. I also attached a picture of me if they do not remember who I am. I am the black guy next to other guy who is a rapper out of Houston named Paul Wall.

Clarence Nickens

Nick Ruocco VideoWorks Grad

Hello,

Since completing Sheffield 'VideoWorks' I have continued to operate my company RocVisuals Productions.

Most recently I have been working in touring production for different acts such as Def Leppard, Poison, Kiss, and Tina Turner.

Myself, along with other video professionals from around the world, provide large scale LED wall displays along with, video content playback, and live camera shoots to accompany the bands live shows.

I have been very fortunate to be apart of tours that have taken me all over the world and experienced once in a life time events.

I would like to thank all the staff members at Sheffield for all there help, professionalism, and overall passion for helping create great careers in video/audio production."

- Nick

Jeff Sechrist behind the board at FOX NEWS

Hey Sheffield gang,

I work for FOX News doing Audio, Floor Direct, Camera Operator and I also edit using the video program AVID.

I hope everything is great at Sheffield! I miss it.

Branden Green AudioWorks grad

Hi,

It's Branden Green, AW EVE 406, I just wanted to shoot you an email to give you an update on what I've been doing since graduation.

Ok, where do I start?  Upon graduating, I started doing gigs mixing for various churches around Baltimore city and county.

Then from there I went on to be the engineer for a band called Marcell and the Truth, a local R&B/Soul band known through out the Maryland/DC area.

For the past year I have been doing freelance work for 2 companies Boom Audio, and Klassic Sound who have been keeping me very busy.

I do regular gigs mixing at Zanzibar on the Waterfront in DC for bands/artists from Ryan Leslie to Ethiopian Dance Bands. I did a couple of the unofficial Presidential Inaugural Balls that included the band Kindred and the Family Soul.

A bunch of outdoor festivals, Baltimore Music Conference Festival at the Inner Harbor, Trinidad and Tobago Festival at Clifton Park, Jamaican Festival at Anne Arundel Fairgrounds and a bunch of other gigs.

Also I've been producing and writing records for different artists both indie and major. A local R&B artist by the name of Shannon who I am working with just signed a single deal with indie label Koch Records, hopefully one of my songs will be the one they pick to distribute as her single.

As a result of some other records I am producing and writing, my family and I are moving to L.A. next month.  Hopefully I can get some major placements and find some work in either live or studio.

The picture that I attached is of the artist Shannon and I.   We were recently featured in a local magazine. Thanks to everyone at SIRA who have helped me in catching my dreams.  More to come.....

Branden

Al Pitman going Hollywood

Hey Sheffield family, hope everything going well.

I have been doing great here in Cali. (California) I have worked on the following films so far as lighting/grip and Steadicam Assistant.

Short Film: "Rooms" with Marian Jean Baptise- 1 day (15 hrs.)
Worked as: Stedicam Assistant
Short Film: "The Care Giver"- two 15 hr. days
Worked as: Electrician and Grip
Comedy Pilot: "Sex Ed"- 6 days (14-16 hr. days)
Worked as: Grip
Short Film: "Strange Case"- (15-16 hr. Days)
Worked as: Electrician
Working at HALA Lighting and Grip Rental House

Tyler Mays at WIYY 98 Rock

I just wanted to give you an update on how things are going at 98 Rock.

So far everything is great!

As you know I got moved from promotions to programming an after just a few days of training.  I’m already board operating on my own. I picked everything up pretty quick.

It doesn’t seem like it would be a fun job since I was used to being out at the broadcasts and now I’m back at the studio by myself while everyone else is out having fun but I actually really enjoy it and love doing it.

I guess its having all the control and most of the pressure on you that makes it so much fun. So far everyone has been complimenting me on how good of a job I’ve been doing and I guess if the music director Steve Huber is one of them, it’s probably a good thing.

I’m just one step closer to being on the air!

I’ll be talkin to ya soon,
Tyler

The Sheffield Family at Jazz Fest in New Orleans

Here’s a pic from this year’s 2009 Jazz Fest in New Orleans! 
It ran from April 24 - 26 and April 30 - May 3, 2009

Sheffield Remote Recordings has been recording the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival for 18 years with producer Michael Murphy.

Some of this year’s acts that Sheffield recorded included:

1. •Neil Young
2. •Dave Matthews
3. •Bonnie Raitt
4. •Dr. John
5. •Bon Jovi
6. •Joe Cocker
7. •Better Than Ezra
8. •Sugarland
9. •Ben Harper
10. •The Neville Brothers, and
11. •James Taylor

Back left to right:

1. Vance Van Horn, Sheffield’s President
2. Gaff Michael, long time friend of Sheffield and stage tech
3. Drew Mazurek, Engineer / Sheffield Instructor
4. David Gaudreau, AudioWorks grad.

Bottom:

1. Gustavo Borner, owner and chief engineer of igloo music (www.igloomusic.com)

Here’s an excerpt of an email that I got from David G. after the experience describing what it was like for him.

“... I handled crowd mics, studio paperwork and tried too keep my jaw off the floor as I witnessed a level of professionalism and teamwork that made the event a complete success.”  David Gaudreau AudioWorks grad.

Congrats to all!

Shawn Owens working the Virgin Music Festival

This picture was taken at Virgin Music festival in Baltimore last year. The band on the stage is The Offspring.
Here are some of the things that I’ve been up to lately:

1. •A2 main stage recording at Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival 2008 with Big Mo Recording Services
2. •A2 main stage recording at Virgin Music Festival 2008 with Big Mo Recording Services
3. •A2 recording live DVD for The New Rascals in Edison, NJ with Sheffield A/V productions
4. •Assisted recording David Sanborn at Blues Alley in Washington, DC freelance
5. •House recording engineer at 9:30 Club in Washington, DC for 10th Row Productions
6. •House recording engineer at Rock and Roll Hotel in Washington, DC for 10th Row Productions
7. •A1 NPR Jazz Sets with DD Bridgewater recordings at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC with Big Mo Recording Services
8. •A2 recording for Bobby Jones Gospel Explosion TV show for Black Entertainment Television in Washington, DC with Big Mo Recording Services

Zach Ruszala AudioWorks & VideoWorks Grad

Hi guys!

Here are some of the things that keep me busy recently:

Running my new freelance company "Red 5 Recordings" which offers audio & video recording services remotely or in my home studio.

I own lots of equipment that enables me to offer many different services. From 24 track audio recordings to 2 camera video shoots, I can do it!

www.red5recordings.com

Head Audio Engineer at The Blackhole Rock Club.

I've done artists such as: Tantric, White Lion, Charm City Devils, Styles P, Cappadonne from Wu Tang, Battery, The Jungle Brothers, and so many more...

A2 on the Sheffield Remote Recording truck working with The World Famous "Jake Mossman" on many national label acts

Partnering up with the infamous “Jim Wrigley Photography” to offer event videography & photography services

Freelancing for Total Production Services on Major League sporting events such as MSL Soccer, NHL Hockey, and MLL Lacrosse

MANY MANY MORE, just give me a month! LOL!

Thanks to Sheffield, I've been armed with the proper tools to complete the various services I perform. By attending both the VideoWorks & AudioWorks programs, I've been given a rare perspective on how both fields co-exist & are co-dependant on each other.

Each field has it's own unique demands but I've found that, by being educated in both, I'm better prepared to accomplish the required tasks and that I can also ad-lib more confidently than a guy that is only trained in one field.

If I could tell people two words for success that I learned from
Sheffield, they would be SIGNAL FLOW!

Be safe & I hope to see everyone very soon!

Sincerely,
Zach Ruszala

Holly Briscoe VideoWorks Grad

Holly has moved to LA. She's currently working for Global Gaming League. GGL runs a website that allows online gamers all over the world compete, practice, and read up on all the latest news in the world of gaming. She's a Video Editor for the GGL, editing videos of pro-gamers at competitions and other events. GGL has also partnered with MTV and Snoop Dogg to create HHGL, Hip Hop Gaming League. HHGL brings together Hip Hop stars and holds competitions to see who is the best gamer. Apart from work, Hollie is in pre-production on a short movie that she'll be shooting in the California desert.

"It has always been a dream of mine to move out here to California. I couldn't have done it without the skills I learned at Sheffield!!"