Reflections on Responsive Classroom

A few months back, we spent many hours in-studio to record and edit an audio book for the Responsive Classroom series, an interactive teaching approach that is sponsored by the Northeast Foundation for Children (NEFC). This particular selection, entitled "Sammy and his Behavior Problems: Stories and Strategies from a Teacher's Year", follows a teacher's experience with a particularly challenging child in her class. Author Caltha Crowe paid us several visits to provide her own voice for her story, which turned out to be an inspired choice. Although she had no previous voiceover experience, she proved to be a quick study, as well as an enthusiastic storyteller. Check out the photo of Caltha as she expertly sought to bring her story to life.


Following the release of the audio book, an interview with project manager Michael Lain was posted on the Responsive Classroom blog. He had very kind words to share in regards to his time in our studio. Check out the excerpt below:

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How was the audiobook made?

Michael Lain: Once Caltha agreed to do the audiobook, we found a recording studio, Tapeworks, in Hartford, Connecticut. Caltha spent four mornings there reading the book, and Bill Ahearn, Tapeworks' engineer, recorded the reading. Bill and I spent one more morning with a professional reader who was patched in from California. (The other voice you'll hear on the audiobook is his.) Then, when the recording was finished, Bill added a few sound effects, such as incidental music, and mastered it to get the great sound quality you hear on the CDs. He did an amazing job.

What did you learn from this experience? What did you enjoy?

Michael Lain: I had never seen the inside of a professional recording studio before, but it's exactly like what I'd imagined - big panels of dials, switches, and lights, and a booth with a big glass window. I was a little surprised to discover that those panels of dials and switches aren't used much anymore - it's all done with desktop computers now! Caltha and I also learned that the best way to keep your voice fresh when talking for a long period of time is to eat an apple.

I enjoyed the entire process - I learned so much, and working with Caltha was a pleasure. She's so professional in everything she does, and it was inspirational to watch her work. I never would have known that she'd never recorded an audiobook before! When we were in the recording studio, people were disappointed when we had to stop for the day because they really wanted to know what would happen next in the story! Even me - and I'd already read the book!
----------------------------------------We also enjoyed the recording process on our end. Michael's kind input and enthusiasm - paired with Caltha's intriguing narrative voice - made our job pleasantly painless! Although Caltha's narrative cliffhangers at the end of sessions left some of us feeling "disappointed", (I wanted to know what would happen next for Sammy!), the session as a whole left us feeling quite the opposite. It was a job well done by all who were involved. Thanks again to Michael and Caltha.

To read the interview in its entirety, follow the link provided:
http://www.responsiveclassroom.org/blog/?p=1410

Pumbaa, Pevar, and a Lego Prince!

Judging by the recent heatwaves and abundant sunshine, Summer has arrived: bringing a handful of music projects, renovations, and other exciting collaborations with it. The month of June has already delivered a number of jobs to keep us busy- including a Disney voiceover, a couple visits from talented guitarist and friend of the studio Jeff Pevar, and a handful of Lego videos that center around some of this summer's biggest blockbusters- just to name a few!

Ernie Sabella, an accomplished actor most widely recognized as the voice of Pumbaa in The Lion King, returned to our studio to record as his signature character for an upcoming DVD release. The session displayed his great talent and comedic timing, as well as his ability to belt out a tune!

Jeff Pevar also made a reappearance to assist with two developing music projects. It's always a pleasure to have his guitar stylings fill our studio halls, and this time around we had a great couple days of tracking. The first project involved overdubs for an excellent upcoming album from Linda Chorney. Jeff is one of many accomplished musicians making an appearance on the project. A few days later, Steve Yanek and his daughter Emily ventured over from Harrisburg, PA to record some of her promising new tracks. With a hardworking, budding young talent like Emily at the helm, the sessions were a rewarding treat. And with Jeff's overdubs added into the mix, the final product was enhanced all the more.

Lastly, Lego has continued to send fun video projects our way, including some tie-ins with two summer blockbusters. We are continuing work on additional Prince of Persia videos, and Engineer Bill Ahearn has begun sound design for a series of short videos that will promote Toy Story 3. He completed an impressive amount of sound design in a few short weeks. Stay tuned for a more in-depth look at these ongoing collaborations, (possible video links to follow!)

PS- As for our aesthetic alterations, I present to you: our new studio control room floor! (Click to enlarge)