Margarita Mix, a FotoKem company specializing in audio and video post services, has expanded into the virtual reality (VR) arena with the addition of 360-degree sound rooms at their facilities in Santa Monica and Hollywood. Whether it’s creating sound design, mix and final printmasters for VR video, or remixing current spots for a full-surround environment, Margarita Mix now offers producers and content owners high-quality sound solutions for the professional VR market. The new capabilities augment the full array of premium audio services for studios, networks and production companies offered at Margarita Mix.
Currently, the facility is collaborating with director-producer Art Haynie of Big Monkey Films on a VR concert film with the band Eagles of Death Metal, utilizing the Dolby Atmos® system. The full-length film was recorded to commemorate the last show of the band’s 2015 tour, which was derailed mid-tour by the tragedy in Paris. It is expected to be available online and via apps next month. Haynie noted, “It’s the wild west out there when it comes to VR filming and audio because it’s so new. Margarita Mix is enabling me to create truly cinematic, 360-degree head tracking sound for a concert film that is going to be exceptional and unlike anything you’ve heard or seen yet.”
Rand Gladden, senior VP at FotoKem, said, “While audio technicians and artists in gaming have been working with interactive 360-degree sound for years, the requirements for that format in the cinematic and advertising realm differ. We are bringing sound design, editorial and mixing expertise to the next level based on our long history of industry-recognized work on short and long form projects.”
Margarita Mix has been working closely with major leaders in VR sound. Gladden added, “Much of the technology and equipment that is required for seamless VR is just now becoming available, giving us the opportunity to support manufacturers creating those tools and to develop our own solutions. It’s exciting to be creating new workflows and guiding technology companies into a new frontier.”
At the console are Margarita Mix’s multi-award winning re-recording mixers Paul Hurtubise and Nathan Dubin in the Santa Monica facility, and Konrad Piรฑon and Michael Greenberg in Hollywood. All four mixers have VR sound experience. They are backed by sr. technical engineer Pat Stoltz, who brings more than 15 years of immersive audio experience to bear.
Piรฑon said, “We’re incredibly excited about the opportunities that VR offers us as mixers. We are now able to expand upon our multi-channel mixing experience and go further into a creative space. The team here at Margarita Mix has built a technical environment that supports the artistic process and assists in establishing workflow solutions. As the boundaries of VR expand, we are excited to join our customers in creating amazing, immersive experiences.”
Regardless of format or streaming platform, Margarita Mix is able to deliver projects in accordance with any specifications. Veneta Butler, general manager of Margarita Mix, notes they are partnering with many agencies to provide high-level creative and technical VR services for this burgeoning market.
“Margarita Mix has always provided excellent audio service and sound design for the many animated series and projects we’ve produced,” said Joel Kuwahara, co-founder, executive producer and head of technology at Bento Box Entertainment, an Emmy®-award winning studio. “They were my first stop when I needed 360 audio for a recent VR project with Bob’s Burgers, and the results were amazing.”
Differences bubble up between PepsiCo and Coca-Cola on diversity programs
PepsiCo confirmed Friday that it's ending some of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, even as rival Coca-Cola voiced support for its own inclusion efforts.
In a memo sent to employees, PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta said the company will no longer set goals for minority representation in its managerial roles or supplier base. The company will also align its sponsorships to events and groups that promote business growth, he said.
Laguarta wrote that inclusion remains important to PepsiCo, whose brands include Gatorade, Lay's potato chips, Doritos, Mountain Dew as well as Pepsi. The Purchase, New York-based company's chief diversity officer will transition to a broader role focused on employee engagement, leadership development and ensuring an inclusive culture, he said.
Since President Donald Trump returned to the White House last month, U.S. government agencies, companies and schools have rushed to reevaluate policies and programs they adopted with the goal of reducing discrimination against members of minority groups, women and LGBTQ+ people.
Trump ended DEI programs within the federal government and has warned schools to end DEI programs or risk losing federal money.
PepsiCo's rollback came as Coca-Cola reaffirmed support for its DEI efforts.
In its annual report, Atlanta-based Coke warned that its business could be negatively affected if it is unable to attract employees that reflect its broad range of customers.
"Failure to maintain a corporate culture that fosters innovation, collaboration and inclusion โฆ could disrupt our operations and adversely affect our business and our future success," the company said.
Coca-Cola has set a goal of having women in 50% of its senior leadership roles by... Read More