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Featured Corp Member:
Post Modern Sound
GOOD NEWS: News & Documentary Emmy Nomination
September 14, 2023
GOOD NEWS: 2023 Canadian Screen Music Awards
October 18, 2023POST MODERN SOUND
Tell us a bit about Post Modern Sound.
Post Modern Sound is 50 years old this year. Founded on October 1, 1973 by David Hoole, Frank Hogg and George Tidball (Westward Communications/Spot Shop Studios) evolved into Post Modern Sound and quickly became integral to Vancouver’s post production community. An early Post Modern project David and his new partner Mark Scott corralled was recording score for the MacGyver series. From there, Post Modern continued to grow through the 80’s with Cannell Studios’ series as well as work from the major TV studios of the day. Menashe Arbel joined as an owner in 2001.
Over the years, we have been fortunate to work on many independent features, home entertainment films and series as well as animation projects. As a full-service audio facility, we have enjoyed a vast variety of work. For 40 years, the business operated from its home on West 2nd Avenue. Last year, we were acquired by Smart Post Sound Canada Inc. and moved to our new home at 53 East 6th Avenue.
Given Post Modern Sounds' long history in the Vancouver Post Community, how has the post production industry in Vancouver changed over the years from your perspective?
We feel so fortunate to have started Post Modern Sound when Vancouver’s post production industry was fledgling. We have witnessed tremendous growth of our post community and have enjoyed decades-spanning relationships with our clients. We feel like we’re part of the fabric that makes this city a great location to finish projects. We have seen the development of our local Canadian producers who replaced the earlier American line producers. This change to local decision-making helped grow our sector. We have also watched our local Post Production Supervisors rise to Associate Producer and Post Producer levels. This development within our client ranks has further bolstered the health of our post production industry. The important tax credit work by MMPIA and the VPA has also been critical to the long-term health of our sector.
What cool projects are you working on right now and/or recently completed?
Happily we had a great year despite our move to our new location. We thank our clients for joining us in our new adventure in Mount Pleasant. We completed the first seasons on “School Spirits”, “Me” and “Holidazed” as well as a 6th season of "Chesapeake Shores". At least two of the new series have been renewed. Disney’s “Prom Pact” was loads of fun to work on. We continue to post a signature series for WildBrain Animation of which we are very proud. We just wrapped a Canadian indie film and are looking forward to more independent films as well as feature documentaries this fall. Throughout we have also worked on a myriad of Hallmark movies. Through COVID and slowdowns due to strikes, Hallmark helps carry us through.
What is a favourite project that your team has worked on, and why?
We have many, many favourite projects that stick with us for various reasons. There is one film, however, which is a standout above all other projects: It’s All Gone Pete Tong. This Mike Dowse classic was innovative, irreverent, sound driven and musically powerful. We will forever covet it as a seminal project for our crew.
What percentage of your work is with local vs international clients/projects? Probably 85% of our work has a script written by an American as well as American lead actors.
Are your mix rooms currently equipped in Dolby Atmos? Yes!
What impact did the pandemic have on your business? Fortunately, like most post production facilities, we were able to adapt to the strict protocols very quickly so we never stopped working throughout the COVID years. There was a downturn in work, but we felt lucky to be able to keep our work flowing.
What about the current strikes in the industry? We have been impacted by the strikes, but our summer and early fall schedule is very busy. Like everyone, we are hoping the interested parties will reach an agreement soon.
We are very hopeful for the ongoing health and growth of our post production community.
