Bicoastal music and sound studio Barking Owl has hired Stuart St. Vincent Welch as sound designer. Hailing from Squeak E. Clean Studios where he previously served as a sr. sound designer, Welch will be responsible for sound design, production and commercial mixing. He will be based out of Barking Owl’s New York office, which opened back in May.
With nearly 20 years of experience in sound design, Welch’s has contributed to work that has been recognized by the MTV Music Awards, Cannes, Sundance and the Webbys. Welch began his career at Wave Studios in London and then moved on to Nylon Studios (now Squeak E. Clean Studios). At Squeak E. Clean Studios, Welch worked on documentaries, music and commercials. His clients there included Pepsi, Etsy, Honda, Netflix, Smirnoff, Vogue and Nissan.
“Growing up at some of the most well respected music and sound companies sets a high bar for where you want to end up next,” said Welch. “What drew me to Barking Owl specifically is not only their exceptional NYC studio, but the strong leadership and tight-knit crew who are going to help you get the work you want. I couldn’t pass on the opportunity to be part of this inspiring team that’s set up to take audio storytelling to a new level.”
“Stuart is an incredible addition to the Owl fam,” said Kelly Bayett, co-founder and creative director at Barking Owl. “We have admired his work for years and we knew that we could provide the level of support that will really elevate and push him to the next level in his career. He is also an incredible asset to the culture of the company–he is driven and understands the team mentality, and that is so incredibly important and hard to find. Stuart is a triple threat, killing it with his sophistication and skill in sound design, mix and music.”
Welch has already launched his first project with the company, a Run the Jewels music video, “Never Look Back,” which premiered on Comedy Central last month. Barking Owl created the original music, sound design and mix.
Also last month Barking Owl earned distinction as North America’s Regional Music & Sound Company of the Year at the London International Awards.
Review: Writer-Directors Scott Beck and Bryan Wood’s “Heretic”
"Heretic" opens with an unusual table setter: Two young missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are discussing condoms and why some are labeled as large even though they're all pretty much a standard size. "What else do we believe because of marketing?" one asks the other.
That line will echo through the movie, a stimulating discussion of religion that emerges from a horror movie wrapper. Despite a second-half slide and feeling unbalanced, this is the rare movie that combines lots of squirting blood and elevated discussion of the ancient Egyptian god Horus.
Our two church members — played fiercely by Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East — are wandering around trying to covert souls when they knock on the door of a sweet-looking cottage. Its owner, Mr. Reed, offers a hearty "Good afternoon!" He welcomes them in, brings them drinks and promises a blueberry pie. He's also interested in learning more about the church. So far, so good.
Mr. Reed is, of course, if you've seen the poster, the baddie and he's played by Hugh Grant, who doesn't go the snarling, dead-eyed Hannibal Lecter route in "Heretic." Grant is the slightly bumbling, bashful and self-mocking character we fell in love with in "Four Weddings and a Funeral," but with a smear of menace. He gradually reveals that he actually knows quite a bit about the Mormon religion — and all religions.
"It's good to be religious," he says jauntily and promises his wife will join them soon, a requirement for the church. Homey touches in his home include a framed "Bless This Mess" needlepoint on a wall, but there are also oddities, like his lights are on a timer and there's metal in the walls and ceilings.
Writer-directors Scott Beck and Bryan Wood — who also... Read More