Mixer Peter Buccellato has shifted over from the New York Media Group’s now-closed audio shop, Mixed Nuts, to sister audio company Lower East Side, also New York. Barasch Music & Sound (BM&S) now occupies the Mixed Nuts space (see separate story, below).
Patrick Howley, VP/general manager of the New York Media Group’s postproduction house Post Perfect, explained the reasoning behind Mixed Nuts’ closure: "Mixed Nuts opened in around 1991 with SSL Scenarias [a digital hard disk editing/mixing system], which were state-of-the-art at the time. … But over the years, work stations like Pro Tools and Fairlights kind of passed that equipment by." Recently, said Howley, "We were thinking of recapitalizing and replacing the Scenarias," which would have been an expensive equipment undertaking. But knowing that Buccellato had wanted to work downtown [at Lower East Side] for a while, New York Media Group executives were faced with the prospect of updating all of Mixed Nuts’ equipment for lone remaining mixer Mark Schultz, and then having to hire more staff. (Schultz is now with Barasch at BM&S.)
According to Howley, Buccellato’s move had been in the works for a while. As Howley recalled, "When we opened up Lower East Side about two years ago, Peter said, ‘I would love to work down there.’" But the new company had only two mixing rooms, so, "We said, ‘One of these days we’re going to build a third room.’ Finally, the time came to do it."
As Buccellato pointed out, "It seemed a lot of editorial houses and agencies were migrating towards the south end of Manhattan, getting out of midtown. It’s just a little bit more laid back down here; it’s a nice location, and it’s the hotbed of activity." And, he added, the area is an easier commute from his New Jersey home.
Buccellato has been in the industry for over 20 years. "I was always interested in audio," he explained, "and I started working at the [now defunct] The Mix Place as an apprentice in about ’76." He has been affiliated with several now-closed New York shops, including Cine-Mix, which he joined in ’78. In ’83, Buccellato began a 10-year stay at DB Sound, after which came another yearlong stint at Mix Place. In ’94, he joined Mixed Nuts, leaving just over a month ago.
At Mixed Nuts, Buccellato recently mixed the AFLAC (American Family Life Assurance of Columbus) spots "Steam Room" and "Park Bench" via The Kaplan Thaler Group, New York, and GMC’s "Water Ballet," "Soccer Star" and "Pig Iron," through Lowe Lintas & Partners, New York, among others. Independently, he mixed the Pirates of Central Park, a short film directed by Rob Farber and currently entered in the Sundance Film Festival.
Buccellato appreciates the added assistance he receives at Lower East Side. Instead of Mixed Nuts’ practice of maintaining back-room assistants who divided their time among the mixers, Buccellato now has full-time support from former Mixed Nuts assistant engineer Marcello Fracasa. As Buccellato pointed out, "We have assistants who are actually part of the sessions." And he is pleased to be working with Lower East Side mixers Bob Giammarco and Glen Landrum: "We have a family of mixers and assistants here; it’s a great group of people, very professional."
Despite the closure of Mixed Nuts, added Howley, "The New York Media Group still has a strong audio presence. We have East Side Mix, with five mixing rooms; Superdupe Recording, which has six mixing rooms, and Lower East Side, which will have three."
Howley pointed out that BM&S’ Buccellato and Schultz currently maintain Mixed Nuts’ Scenaria equipment. Should Mixed Nuts clients request information about past projects, "We just call up the elements send them to Peter or Mark," said Howley. "Eventually both of the Scenarias will be phased out, and both Peter and Mark are starting to use the new workstations now."
"Peter’s a fabulous mixer," Howley concluded, "… He’ll pick up clients from the downtown area, but I think most of his [current] clients will follow him there, because he’s that good."
