MATTHEW BOGAN
Sound Design | Film | Television | Video Games
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Sound Design | Podcast Production | Audiobook Editing | Music Production
Over the course of the past four years, I have been working hard towards my honours degree in Audio Engineering. I have focused my studies on various aspects of film and video games, such as; sound design, audio dubbing, operating middleware, and researching how audio impacts the sensation of immersion within videogames. This work has provided me with the knowledge and skills to work effectively within these entertainment industries.
I have always been passionate about film and videogames, I find working within these artforms extremely satisfying and intriguing. A focus of my studies has been on sound dubbing, replacing all audio with my own composition and sound effects. My passion for creating sound textures and musical elements will fuel my career into the entertainment industry.
Using this knowledge and passion, I gained a work placement with The Grey Hill as a freelance sound engineer. During my placement, I managed a number of projects and completed an audiobook and podcasts to an industry standard. These will be showcased within my portfolio and used as evidence of my workflow and standards.As seen in my CV and skills audit, I possess the skills required to pursue this career opportunity upon graduation - therefore, I plan to register as a freelance sound engineer in the near future.
SKILLS AUDIT
An Evaluation of my Behavioural and Technical Skills
Prior to sourcing a work placement, I created a skills audit that would identify and aid the development of my technical and behavioural skills. This process began by listing my most prominent technical skills used within my most enjoyed projects, to develop this further research was conducted on currently available junior positions at film / videogame companies. This research also aided listing behavioural skills, something that is a challenge when evaluating yourself - however, many companies will explicitly list all of their requirements. Using these, a series of ‘word clouds’ were developed.
The above images showcase the most common phrases and keywords in the largest font, highlighting exactly what companies require in their entry level jobs. Each of these three jobs interest me greatly, therefore it is vital to develop my skills to enhance my chances of employment.
At this stage, the following skills audit was developed.
Improving Any Skills Gaps
The two skills audits were peer reviewed twice, by a classmate and family member, this process allowed for both aspects to be properly evaluated. Using these scores, a final score was determined, this provided me with an objective starting point for evaluating my skills and devising a plan for improvement.
The technical skills audit features 14 individual skills that vary in rating. This rating is between 1 and 5, with 5 being the highest standard meaning that skill is mastered - a level that most working professionals do not achieve. As seen, no skill listed has a rating of 5. At this current stage in my career, there is much room for improvement. This is not viewed as a negative aspect of my abilities, simply an opportunity to search for new experiences that will aid the improvement of me as an audio engineer. Each skill listed has its own strategy for improvement, these are obtainable goals that can be achieved at a steady rate through work contributions and academic opportunities such as online courses or research. The highlighted skills are those best suited for my aspiring career.
The behaviour skills audit features 16 individual skills, with a similar rating scale. However, mastering behavioural skills is not possible, therefore any rating of 5 expresses great confidence in that field - however, there will always be room for improvement. The highlighted skills reflect my creativity, empathy with others, positive attitude, and time management. However, stress management has always been a weak point of mine, causing strain on my mental health.
My placement was a fantastic opportunity to develop these skills further. The technical aspects of the projects refined my skills and developed a workflow that would allow me to operate within a new sector of the entertainment industry. A major aspect of this industry relies on social skills, meeting with Barry and learning to communicate in a professional manner allowed me to develop my confidence and build connections with individuals within the industry.