A partner in SOUND DEPARTMENT LLC
A partner in SOUND DEPARTMENT LLC
Studio Unknown believes in Visceral, Personal, and Affordable sound for film and broadcast. It’s these core principles that not only guide us through the work we do, but strengthen the relationships we build with filmmakers and producers.
We strive to provide soundtracks that heighten any project, no matter the budget or size. This takes forms like comedic timing we add through foley, terrifying creatures we create, lush or delicate ambiences we build, or deep, dark themes we extract through sound design. It can also be as simple in concept as making a character’s dialog clean and understandable.
We help prioritize budgets, and consult with the filmmaker to help make appropriate decisions about what sound work is needed once we assess the film. We then explain and collaborate on how to approach the sound concepts, overall story arc, budget breakdowns, external workflow and turnaround time.
We are a full-service, Dolby® tuned/Print Master Approved facility equipped with a 5.1 dubbing stage and full in house editorial suites. Studio Unknown’s primary focus is on sound for film and we have developed a unique process for working with filmmakers that allows us to maximize client budgets and meet the tightest deadlines.
Jaime’s penchant for relationship building and communication, along with his somewhat obsessive attention to detail, are largely why he is a managing partner for Sound Department. First a bassist, then a live sound engineer, Jaime has always been involved with music and audio. He was introduced to post production in the early 2000s when he started collaborating with Studio Unknown partner Kevin Hill. It was then that he fell in love with sound as a medium to support visual arts. In 2005, he joined Studio Unknown to help with sales and marketing, soon becoming the company’s managing partner and expanded the company’s client base to Los Angeles. 2017 found Jaime bonding with Juan Campos over cocktails and common work ethics. After two years of regular collaboration, it became clear that joining forces was a win-win for all, thus forming the bond that would soon become known as Sound Department. As managing partner, Jaime’s responsibilities include all areas of business, with a focus on client and team relations, and keeping the proverbial ducks in a row. Jaime serves as a Board member with the MD Film Industry Coalition, an advocacy group for film and television production in Maryland. Jaime also co-manages and performs in the regional band Sweet Leda with wife and vocalist, Julie Cymek. Calling Pasadena, MD home, Jaime enjoys splitting his time between MD and L.A., CA.
IMDb credits
Engineer, producer, songwriter and sound artist — For over 25 years, Kevin has worked his way through live theatre, the music industry, A/V installation and composing, ultimately transitioning into post production sound. In 2001, realizing his passion for film and cinema, Kevin founded Studio Unknown. By 2008, Kevin fully committed to offering filmmakers in the mid-Atlantic area a proper platform for cinematic sound and built the region’s first ever Dolby® Approved dub stage. Working on larger and larger productions introduced Studio Unknown to producers and filmmakers across the country, including Los Angeles, thus driving the company to expand its services to the west coast. After many years of hard work, dedication, persistence and his amazing partners, this studio model naturally led to the connections and relationships that helped form – Sound Department.
Kevin is primarily a Re-recording Mixer, dialogue editor and supervising sound editor. His sound work has been heard at film festivals across the world including SXSW, Toronto, Tribeca, Berlin, Cannes, and more. Broadcast credits include sound design and mix for programs for ABC, Lifetime, Discovery and National Geographic. With over 200 film titles to his name, many currently on Netflix, Amazon and iTunes, Kevin has been a part of projects that have taken or been nominated for awards nationwide including the Emmy’s, Telly’s, Addy’s, CINE and MPSE. He is an active member of the Cinema Audio Society and has served as an adjunct professor at Anne Arundel Community College teaching Audio Production.
He is happily married to an amazingly spirited Jersey girl, has 2 crazy teenagers, an old sweet dog, a kitten and loves camping, playing guitar and listening to music. Oh, and Aliens!
Renai is a sound effects editor and sound designer. She started her career in audio with production sound while studying to complete her Bachelor of Audio at SAE Institute in Sydney, Australia. During her studies of post-production audio, she quickly fell in love with sound design and editing. Diving into the world of post-production audio as an intern, she soon began working in recording studios, recording dialogue for commercials and working on feature films as an editor and sound designer. After moving to the US she completed an internship at Rooster Teeth as a sound designer and began freelancing for them on animations such as Death Battle! and RWBY. Renai continues to work on feature films, documentaries, podcasts, etc. In her free time Renai loves to play video games, cook, and travel.
Since a young age Luisa knew she wanted to work in the movie industry. Brazilian born and raised, she grew up watching American movies. Her motivation to come to the U.S. was to be where movies happen. She has always been passionate about the performing arts, earning a degree in Theater from The Center of Arts and Education Celia Helena in Sao Paulo, Brazil, before studying Communication Studies at the Community College of Baltimore County. She believes communication and organization are her strongest skills. Luisa is a people-person that loves getting things done and being helpful. As administrative assistant and production coordinator for Sound Department, she oversees coordinating schedules and sessions, client relations, social media, as well as facility management. Her biggest goal is to help make everyone’s lives easier.
Luisa loves to learn and is always involved in many projects, she has experience as a producer and marketer on several podcast projects. She has worked in theater, short films, and was once an extra on a Disney Channel show back in Brazil. In her free time she loves to dance, play video games, and go on adventures with her puppy named Killian.
Stephen Joseph Antonelli is an award winning songwriter, composer, engineer and producer with 20+ years of experience in the music business. Stephen spent nine years in Nashville, where he received his musical education, working in busy demo and commercial studios. Later, he worked in New York City, where he fine-tuned his skills working with some of NYC’s finest musicians and producers.
In 2007, Steve opened and now runs SongBuilder Studios and All About the Song, two music production companies in the Baltimore area. He specializes in working with artists composing the song, as well as shaping the final sound. This model has allowed Stephen to produce, write and co-write songs that have been placed on national television and in films. Some of Steve’s work can he heard on Lifetime, Fox, and Discovery Channel.
All About the Song provides custom music for any music-related production or application. All About The Song’s music has been used by Discovery Channel, CIA, World Bank and Met Life.