Touchdown Tales: Exploring Madden 2024 and How to Fix a Damaged Sound Recording
Picture this: In a paid assignment, you discover a damaged audio file among your recordings, and it's beyond repair. What's your next move?
Welcome back to our weekly newsletter! Unfortunately, we missed our Monday deadline again this time, and I sincerely apologize for the delay. Once more, I found myself falling ill. Dealing with the constant cycle of “child-goes-to-school-brings-back-virus-infections” is quite challenging, as it tends to involve the entire family. However, that’s just the way it goes, I suppose.
Despite my best efforts to practice preventive measures such as taking vitamins and supplements, ensuring sufficient sleep, embracing cold showers, engaging in regular exercise, and more. Nonetheless, I maintain a humble perspective, acknowledging that these health challenges are not overly serious. At the end of the day, we are all fortunate to lead the lives we have.
Re-Shooting a Paid Project
What do you do when you realize you’ve made a mistake while recording a sequence for a paid job? Unfortunately, that’s the situation I found myself in. I discovered that some of the recordings had unusable sound due to a microphone issue. Somehow, the attached microphone had flipped, causing the side containing the recording hardware to rub against the hoodie of the person being interviewed.
You might be wondering why I didn’t have headphones on to catch it in the moment or why I didn’t check the levels during recording. You’re absolutely right; those are standard practices I should have followed. I understand that, and in an ideal scenario, that’s the way to go. However, the reality can be different, especially when you’re working solo and juggling multiple tasks simultaneously. Mistakes like these can occur. It’s not an excuse; I take full responsibility. I just want to emphasize that real-life situations on sets can deviate from the playbook that describes optimal conditions.
I became aware of the poor audio quality when I returned to the studio for the copy session and the initial review of the footage. My heart sank at the first sight. My immediate instinct was to reassure myself that it wasn’t as bad as it sounded, convincing myself that I could salvage the audio. It’s amusing how the brain works because, if I were to show you the audio file, you would promptly affirm that there’s no way anyone or any software could recover audio information from it. None at all.
Upon realizing this, I set aside my pride and took the necessary step. I called the producer, described the situation, and offered to reshoot the scene. To my surprise, he, being the experienced professional he is, expressed gratitude (yes, you heard that right – he thanked me) and requested some time to review the content himself. He wanted to ensure that the affected parts were indeed crucial scenes that would make it to the final cut; otherwise, a reshoot would be unnecessary.
A couple of hours later, I received a phone call confirming my apprehensions: the footage was unusable, and the affected scenes were crucial for the storytelling. I reiterated my readiness to reshoot the parts, and we discussed the logistics and timing. Following the conversation with the producer, I promptly contacted the interviewer, explaining the situation and inquiring about the possibility of a reshoot. I assured him that it wouldn’t take long and that this time everything would be recorded correctly. He agreed to it and provided me with a time slot later in the week. I expressed my gratitude, and we ended the call.
The reshoot went seamlessly. I prepared everything the day before and was ready to rock. Everything worked smoothly on location, and we successfully captured the content. Once back at my office, I promptly uploaded the files for the producer and sent a link via email. After a discussion, he reviewed the files, and I was relieved to hear that everything was in good shape and ready to proceed.
Not only was I shocked by my own failure, but I also felt a sense of responsibility and remorse because people were counting on me, relying on my work. In that moment of realization, my primary goal became making amends, rectifying the situation, and doing the right thing. It’s crucial to objectively evaluate the situation and prioritize the best outcome for the project as a whole, regardless of what your ego might be telling you. Facts should guide your actions.
Here’s a brief guide for situations like this and what to do:
Acknowledge the shock of realizing something went wrong
Put your ego aside
Don’t waste time; communicate the issue with the crew, supervisor, or client
Seek a solution
Be open to a reshoot
If a reshoot isn’t possible, brainstorm ideas to fix it; discuss with others
Take corrective action
Whether it’s a reshoot, repair, or another solution, ensure that the issue is addressed and fixed appropriately.
Art & Design
Tree-Inspired Sustainability: Atrey Design Studio’s Innovative New Delhi Office
Architect Arun Sharma has recently completed the innovative office space for Atrey Design Studio in New Delhi. Drawing inspiration from the intricate structure of trees, the office takes the form of a tilted representation of a tree swayed by the wind, with central columns acting as the trunk supporting cantilevered slabs resembling branches. The design seamlessly integrates concrete and greenery, featuring bare curved walls, green walls on each floor, and courtyards for breaks. Emphasizing sustainability, the office incorporates latent cooling systems, rooftop solar panels, and rainwater harvesting, reflecting an environmentally conscious and visually distinctive workspace. Read More
1930s Advertising: A Golden Era of Creativity and Resilience
Explore the best 1930s ads, a golden age of advertising amidst economic challenges. Design experts highlight creativity, resilience, and valuable lessons for modern designers. Discover the spirit of the times in these mini works of art and delve into further insights on logos. Creative Bloq
Music & Movies
The Bear
Due to recent news tied to Jeremy Allen White, I decided to give the series another shot. I had initially tried it but lost interest after the first two episodes. However, on a second attempt, I’m glad I did, as I now really enjoy it. The cinematography stands out for me. Have you given it a try? Rotten Tomatoes
Classic Rock
Amidst my weekend illness, I found solace in classic rock tunes. The nostalgia hit hard—such fantastic tunes! I’ve shared the playlist here. Enjoy the oldies!
Tech & Gaming
The Macintosh gets 40 year old
There’s a fantastic story on wired.com celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Macintosh. The vintage design is captivating, and I’d love to have a machine like that in my office for its unique vibe.
Security Concerns: Alleged Sale of Trello User Data Sparks Apprehension
Reportedly, personal details of over 15 million Trello users are being sold on a hacking forum, according to Have I Been Pwned. Although Trello denies a direct breach, hackers scraped user data, including email addresses and names, for sale on the forum. Trello has not issued a customer warning, and Atlassian, its owner, has not commented. This breach raises concerns about potential phishing attacks, posing a threat to users who might be targeted for fraudulent activities. More Info
Madden 2024
I made a vow to avoid sports games due to their repetitive nature. However, my newfound interest in American football led me to try Madden 2024. I had only played this franchise back in elementary school when the Super Nintendo was cutting-edge. In those days, you played whatever you could get, even if you didn’t fully grasp the game. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea. Just like football, basketball, or ice hockey simulations, if you’re a fan of the sport, you’ll get the hang of it, but if not, it’s best to steer clear.
This is the End, Beautiful Friend
That wraps up this episode. Thank you for reading! If you find value in this newsletter, kindly take a moment to spread the word—it would mean a lot. Let’s grow together. Thanks in advance, and I wish you an excellent week ahead.
Much love.
Ferhat