#27: Joshua Carro, the in-house music composer for Gearbox, has worked on the music systems in Tiny Tina's Wonderlands and is currently working on Borderlands 4.
In this episode, we discuss Josh's path to becoming Gearbox's composer and the trend of leaving a 9-5 job to go freelance, whether that is composing, sound design, or developing your own indie game. We cover the uncertainty behind the games industry with the ongoing layoff announcements from both AAA and AA game studios and our reasoning for finding joy in going back to playing older games.
Find Joshua here:
Website: https://www.joshuacarro.com/media
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soundinglight/
#26: Samantha van der Sluis is a composer for the indie games Cloudscape, Petit Island, Love, Ghostie, and Islands & Trains. She also works in the music department for films such as Avengers: Endgame, Toy Story 4, and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.
Here, we talk about composing in your niche and how that can get you work you enjoy as a freelancer. We will cover this year's GDC, where you can get opportunities to make new friends and get more work. And lastly, we talk about the state of the game industry with the recent layoffs.
Find Samantha van der Sluis here:
Website: https://www.samanthavandersluis.com/
IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7589991/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SamanthavanderSluis9
#25: Jesse Zuretti and Cody Matthew Johnson are Video Game Composers who started Nocturne Heretic, a company specializing in Music composition for Video Games.
Jesse has worked on many horror film projects and worked with Marvel from 2018-2023, and is now working with Riot Games on 2XKO aka Project L. Cody previously worked on Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite, Resident Evil 2, and recently Star Wars Outlaws.
We will be talking about their experiences starting a Video Game Music Company, our favorite horror influences in film and games, and the music nominees for this year's Game Awards 2024.
Find Jesse & Cody Here:
Jesse's Website: https://www.jessezuretti.com/
Jesse's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessezuretti
Cody's Website: https://www.codymatthewjohnson.com/
Cody's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/codymatthewjohnson/
#24: Ross Tregenza does both Composing and Sound Design for video games. Tregenza is known for his work on the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Helldivers 2, Cyberpunk 2077, DEATHLOOP, Dead Island 2, and many more.
We will be talking about the layoffs going on in the video game industry. We also discuss the nuances of Generative AI in how it affects the industry.
Find Ross Here:
Website: https://www.rosstregenza.com/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCprppoNiupcRw9KTlUHqy1AInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tregenza_music/
#23: Jalyssa has worked in various media throughout her career. She started as a Project Manager with IGN, then became an Operations Coordinator with Netflix, and a Creative Producer with Twitch.
Jalyssa and I talk about the challenges of the Games Industry regarding layoffs, and how making friends in the industry goes a long way in finding the next job.
Find Jalyssa Here:
#22: Megan McDuffee is an Award-Winning Video Game Composer who is well-known for her compositions in the River City Girls' games, APEX Legends: Mobile, Atari Recharged, and many more! She also worked in film with projects such as Annihilation, and The Predator (2018) trailer.
Megan and I talk about her process when it comes to getting paid work as a Video Game Composer. Megan talks about how challenging it was in the beginning, and her thoughts on unlocking your own brand as a Composer in Video Games.
Follow Megan here:
Website: https://meganmcduffee.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megmcduffee/
#21: Cindy Tran is the Social Media Specialist with Obsidian Entertainment.
Cindy and I chat about transitioning from Medicine to working as a Social Media Specialist in the Games Industry. We cover how important authenticity is when creating content with a team like Obsidian. Cindy also tells her story of different interview processes she experienced.
Find Cindy Tran here:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/idcindytran
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/idspuds_
#20: Rachel Hardy is known for her music covers on YouTube. Rachel is a trained vocalist and has also composed music for films and video games.
Rachel and I chat about her process of being a YouTuber and talking about her growth as a Musician and Content Creator. We also chat about learning to be okay with our early work as creatives to showcase the growth of our work.
Follow Rachel Hardy here:
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcxZOARrMHXpKCsP4WnJLAQ
Website: https://www.rachelhardymusic.com/
#19: Here I finally give a follow-up about my thoughts from this year's GDC. I chat about what I learned and some of the things I did to maximize my time at the conference.
Message me:
camargoaudio@gmail.com
Website: https://www.camargosounddesigner.com/
#18: Akash Thakkar is well known for his famous work as a Sound Designer for the Indie Game Hyper Light Drifter, and now working on Hyper Light Breaker. Akash also creates Game Audio Content on YouTube and Hosts the Sound Business Podcast.
Akash and I chat about how to get ready for this year's GDC Conference while also maximizing the value it provides. We also go into building relationships, surviving San Francisco, parties at GDC, and selling ourselves.
Huge thanks for Akash taking the time to do the show with me!
Checkout Akash's Work Here:
https://linktr.ee/akashthakkaraudio
#17: Jess Wallace is a Technical Sound Designer with Blipsounds. Jess talks about her journey in the Music Industry that started from just showing up at the right place and right time. Same thing applies for the Game Industry. By just showing up, you never know what opportunities may land on your lap!
Jess Wallace's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/soundbyjess
Blipsounds Website: https://blipsounds.com/
#16: Jonathan Abelardo is a dialogue mixer with Salami Studios. He has worked on both Netflix series Castlevania, Castlevania: Nocturne, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, Blood of Zeus, Hey Arnold: The JungleMovie, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and many more!
We chat about the process in getting to work on your favorite projects, continuing to work on your craft, and choosing your niche.
Jonathan Abelardo's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-abelardo-2654b09/
Jonathan's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socaltoons/
Jonathan's Work: https://www.salamistudiospost.com/
Want me to interview a specific guest?
Contact me here: https://www.camargosounddesigner.com/contact
#15: Sebastien Croteau is a Voice Director, Voice Coach, and Vocal Performer. Sebastien is the President of Monster Factory which focuses on sound creation, voice acting, localization, and sound design for virtual monsters and creatures.
Sebastien has done Voice Direction for Behaviour's Dead by Daylight killer the Xenomorph (Alien), the Skull Merchant, and for the character William Berlin (Resident Evil Collection).
Sebastien's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastiencroteau/
The Monster Factory: https://www.lafabriquedemonstres.com/en/
#14: Leanne Moser is a Sound Designer for Supermassive Games. Supermassive are known for creating games such as: Until Dawn, The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope, and Little Nightmares.
Leanne is also a Musician and we discuss the advantages in having musical knowledge in applying that to our Sound Design work.
Leanne's Music: https://mozxofficial.com/mozx_epk/
You have suggestions on who I should interview next?
Email me here: https://www.camargosounddesigner.com/contact
#13: Josephine Megert is a Sound Designer for Bungie's Destiny 2: Lightfall. Josey and I discuss the value of Networking while getting over the Demo Reel trap.
You can check out Josey's work here: https://www.joseymegertaudio.com/
#12: Ine is a Senior Concept Artist with Rare and you can see Ine's work in Sea of Thieves.
We discuss the workflow of a Concept Artist and how to showcase your full potential to Game Studios.
Ine's Artstation: https://inetsj.artstation.com/
#11: James started out as a YouTube Content Creator and was a part of the popular gaming network Machinima, which now does not exist anymore. James is known for his Halo, Dead Space, Metroid, and currently his Rain Series on YouTube.
We discuss the transition going from YouTube into Freelancing.
James's Website: https://www.jkprising.com/
#10: João Araújo is a Sound Designer with Bauer Media Audio Portugal in the radio commercial space. João has also created great Sound Redesigns with games too that y'all need to check out on his Instagram.
We discuss our our thoughts on burnout and doing productive work while being present after work hours.
João Araújo's Instagram: @ja.audio
João Araújo's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmdjaraujo/
#9: This episode I talk to my friend James Mello who is also a Sound Designer. James is currently working with Hi-Rez Studios doing Sound Design for SMITE. We discuss our experiences getting work in Sound Design, receiving feedback from Game Studios, and being a pleasure to work with in a game development space.
James Mello's Website: https://www.jamesrmello.com/
James Mello's Twitter: https://twitter.com/spidertears
#8: This episode I will be interviewing my friend Brian MacIntosh who is a Senior Programmer with Obsidian Entertainment. Brian is currently working on Grounded the survival co-op multiplayer game. We will be talking about Brian's journey as a Game Programmer, advice on getting started as a Programmer, and the challenges that go behind Game Programming.
Brian's Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianAMacIntosh
Brian's Website: https://www.brianmacintosh.com/projects/