Sound Design
Shift 2
For the Shift 2 game trailer project, I wanted to create something that went beyond typical racing game sound design. Even though I wasn't part of the original Waves competition, I saw it as a chance to experiment with some interesting techniques in Pro Tools. I started by playing with glass shard recordings, using paulstretch to create these long, stretched-out textures, then reversing them to add an ethereal quality to the mix.
The Pro Tools Space plugin and some unusual impulse responses helped me create these rich, droning atmospheres that really filled out the sound. Instead of just focusing on engine sounds and screeching tires, I tried to build something more atmospheric that would complement the intensity of the racing footage while bringing its own distinct character to the piece.
Back To The Future
For this Back to the Future project, I tackled the iconic opening sequence - from the amplifier explosion through to Marty arriving at Doc's place. Working in Pro Tools, we stripped the original audio and started fresh, beginning with new ADR recordings to match the original performances. Getting Marty's reactions to the amp blast and his conversation with Doc just right was essential to maintaining the scene's charm.
The sound design involved rebuilding every layer, from the crackling electricity of the giant amp to the ambient sounds of Doc's cluttered workshop. Using a combination of library sounds and our own recordings, we recreated the chaos of the opening guitar riff, the skateboarding sequence, and all the little mechanical details that make Doc's world feel alive.
The Incredibles
The opening "Glory Days" sequence from The Incredibles gave me the chance to blend realistic sound design with more stylized, fictional elements. Starting from scratch in Pro Tools, we recorded new dialogue to match the original performances, but the real fun came from creating sounds for all the retro-futuristic technology in Mr. Incredible's world.
For the more fantastical elements, like the booster engine, we had to get creative since there's no real-world reference. The computer interface sounds were particularly interesting to design - I used Galactic Assistant to create these retro-futuristic bleeps and bloops that felt both period-appropriate and distinctly superhero-tech. The rest of the sequence came together through a mix of our own recordings and library sounds, all crafted to support the stylized, larger-than-life feel of Golden Age superheroing.
Portal 2
For my take on the Portal 2 trailer, I wanted to create a cohesive audio experience that blended sound design with original music. I dug through sound libraries to find elements that could capture the game's signature sci-fi atmosphere, carefully layering them to build the mechanical and technological world of Aperture Science.
The musical backdrop I composed kept things intentionally minimal - just a synth bass, electronic drums, and lead synth - which allowed it to support the sound design without overshadowing it. This stripped-back electronic arrangement helped maintain the clinical, technological feel of Portal while adding momentum to the trailer's pacing.