I'm looking for a sound designer and composer to establish a working relationship with. I occasionally shoot short films (usually 1-5 minutes), and while I can hack through preproduction and most production duties, I can't design sound or compose scores at all. Sound is, of course, at least 51% of good video, and while I'm fine with mucking around teaching myself lighting and cinematography and editing and VFX, I would rather leave sound to someone who knows what they're doing.

A little about me: my skill level is somewhere around intermediate. I don't make films full-time or on any regular basis (rather, when I get enough time and have enough creativity). I don't have any intentions to distribute my work farther than Vimeo, and I certainly don't intend to make any money from it.

I would like to find someone with whom I could collaborate over the next several projects. Location is not an issue; I'm currently in Iraq and will be moving all over the continental United States over the next two years (job-related reasons) - so I'm not looking for any specific locale. Unfortunately I cannot offer riches, fame, or a path to Hollywood; however, I believe in compensating people for their talent and hard work even if I will not see a dime from the project. (It's the ethics of the situation; my crew gets paid before anyone else.) Gear is not an issue either; I shoot with DSLRs myself, not Varicams or RED, and the results are what matter, not the gear or the workflow.

It's a long shot, but if anyone on this board wants to partner up and make some short films every so often, please let me know.

Thanks!

Daniel Bates
dbates83@gmail.com

Daniel,

I'm very interested in working with you on your projects. But I'd like to know more details of what sort of videos you're working on or plan to work on.

Do you shoot strict narrative pieces or are they conceptual/art videos? Does the necessary sound design include ADR/Foley or simply doing finishing mixes?

As for me, you can find a few samples of music I've done at <http://www.artinmilwaukee.com/profile.jsp?id=11>. I have experience working remotely so I'm comfortable in that sort of relationship.

I've recently become part of a mentor/mentee program as a sound designer & composer, working with someone who has a GREAT deal of talent and decades of experience. I think it would be enjoyable for both of us if I started working with your projects as an outlet for part of the mentee work I'll be doing for the next 10-12 months.

Let me know what you think and if you're interested as well we can take our conversation into private email.

Best,
Steven