Who is
this diva?
Melanie Mociun works at Skywalker Sound, part of movie maker George Lucas' sprawling Skywalker Ranch complex in Northern California. Skywalker Sound works with another company called Industrial Light and Magic to create special effects (including sound) for all the Star Wars movies as well as other films.
As a sound archivist, Melanie collects and organizes sounds to use in movies. The Skywalker Sound Library includes real sounds that people make (someone hammering a nail or a baby crying) and sounds that are designed/created, i.e. one-of-a-kind sounds that don't exist — such as a space ship taking off or a dragon's mating call.
What
do you do at work?
In typical work day, I may do any of the following tasks:
- Archive Sound Effects for the Skywalker
Sound Effects Library;
- Perform database administration;
- Perform system administration for
Sound Editors working on specific films and projects;
- Update and maintain the Skywalker
Sound Intranet; or
- Record and/or edit sound effects.
Overall, my job is to keep track of the Database of all the sound effects in the Skywalker Sound Library. The job of database administration is important because in this case Sound Editors need to be able to find sound effects that were previously created months or even years prior.
How does your job help other people?
I help people by providing behind-the-scenes support for entertaining and informative films.
Do you work alone or with
a team?
I work with members of the sound crews to bring the sounds, which were recorded and designed for specific films, into our networked sound library. I also work with the I.T. staff in System Administration for our editorial staff.
What's
the best part of your job?
The people with whom I work are one of the best parts of my job. This small piece of the Northern California film community is rich and diverse. Over the years, I have met and worked with some of the most interesting and compassionate people on the planet.
Yes, I have fun at work.
What's
the worst part of your job?
The worst part of my job is the impossible work load.
Where
do you see yourself in 10 years?
In ten years, I'll probably be thinking very seriously about retirement with a beautiful garden to tend and a room with an easel and lots of paint and canvas.
What
do you do when you're not at work?
I mostly train and race. I have been racing in swimming, running and triathlon events for the past 17 years. I also spend time doing home improvement projects and playing the piano.
I have a large extended family, and my nuclear family consists of my father and two older brothers.
What advice would you give
a girl about the I.T. field?
My advice is to learn as much as you can and keep learning throughout your life.
What
were your hobbies when you were 11-14?
When I was 11 to 14, I was playing the piano, swimming, sewing, bike riding, body surfing, horseback riding and building models (mostly human body models, i.e.. the Five Senses, Visible Man, Visible Woman).
Describe technology you
wish was available now.
A flying bicycle. I would love to elevate myself above traffic and fly safely through the air above the cars below.
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