A partner in SOUND DEPARTMENT LLC
A partner in SOUND DEPARTMENT LLC
Studio Unknown believes in Visceral, Personal, and Affordable sound for film. It’s these core principles that not only guide us through the work we do, but strengthen the relationships we build with filmmakers.
We strive to provide soundtracks that heighten any film, 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.
Kevin began his career in sound engineering over 20 years ago playing in bands and working in live theatre before transitioning into post production sound. He has worked for many theatres and sound studios including the Omaha Theater Company for Young People, The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts and Clean Cuts Music & Sound. He then ultimately founded Studio Unknown in 2001. Realizing his love for film and cinema, in 2009 he shifted focus of the studio’s model and opened a Dolby® Approved sound facility to service filmmakers. His sound work has been heard at film festivals including SXSW, Toronto, Tribeca, Oaxaca, Berlin, and the Hollywood Film Festival. Broadcast credits include sound design and mix for programs for Discovery, National Geographic, NASA, PBS, and others. Awards include a CINE Golden Eagle Master Series Award for the animated documentary, Freedom Dance; Lost in Woonsocket, Official Selection at the SXSW Film Festival; and original music and narration recording for the Telly Award-winning A&E series Random 1. Recently, Kevin became an active member of the Cinema Audio Society, an organization formed in 1964 for the purpose of advancing the art of cinematic sound. Kevin has served as an adjunct professor at Anne Arundel Community College teaching Audio Production and is a member of the country songwriting collaboration, Moran Hill Hurwitz.
In 2005, Jaime Horrigan joined Studio Unknown as a part time sales associate. Within several years, his role expanded, adding administrative duties to his responsibilities. Due to Jaime’s relentless drive and determination, the studio’s client base expanded. In 2013, Studio Unknown committed to a major expansion as a professional sound editing company, increasing its presence nationally within the field of film making. As a result of his work, Jaime was invited by Kevin Hill to join the company as co-owner. As the managing partner, Jaime’s responsibilities include all areas of business for the studio. Jaime also manages and performs in the successful Maryland based band, Sweet Leda. He and his wife, Julie (pictured), Sweet Leda’s vocalist, live in Pasadena, Maryland.
Steven Jones, an independent business and financial consultant, joined both Kevin Hill and Jaime Horrigan, as the newest partner at Studio Unknown January 1, 2014. With his guidance, the company has grown in clientele, revenue, leadership and manpower. Steve brings with him almost 40 years of experience in the financial services profession. After joining the John Hancock Companies in the mid-seventies, Steve went on to establish Practice Planning Consultants, a financial consulting firm for physicians. In 1983, he merged the firm with Madison Financial Group, a financial advisory firm serving a broader clientele of professionals, business owners and executives throughout the New York Metropolitan area. In 2003, Steve co-founded Newroads Financial Group as senior partner, serving that same clientele. In 2008, Steve sold his interest in the firm and retired to consult business owners on a part time basis.
Steve and his wife, Pam, live in Baltimore and have three grown children. His oldest daughter, Stacie Jones Gentzler, a producer and production manager, is a member of Studio Unknown’s Board of Advisors. Steve is also a musician and loves to paint in his spare time
Matt is the Supervising Sound Effects Editor, Foley Artist and Partner of Studio Unknown. He got an early start in film sound while studying as an undergrad at Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, doing production sound for documentaries, performing sound art and designing sound for stop-motion animation. Matt now teaches Sound for Animation at MICA. Combined with a background in fine art sculpture, his love for sound results in hand built instruments and collecting interesting items, trinkets, and junk for the ever-growing collection of Foley props at Studio Unknown. As a Sound Designer, he’s accustomed to contorting his voice to make creature sounds, tweaking analog synths and can be found on the Foley stage combining weird objects to find just the right noise.
Matt grew up in the UK, has an affinity for craft beer, Alien, and grows one hell of a beard.
A Los Angeles native, Rick began his career in 1995 as a highly sought after Studio and Pro Tools Tech.
In 2003, Rick and his wife, Veronica, founded Santisound with a focus on post production audio. Santisound became a destination for editing and mixing unique content like featurettes, VAM, trailers, TV commercials, film commentary, and theatrical sound. Films that he has worked on include X-men, Amazing Spider- Man 2, Titanic 3D, Avatar, and Man of Steel. Broadcast credits include Disney, ABC, Fox, Discovery, BBC, NOVA, History, HBO, Showtime, and others. Projects mixed by Rick have received Emmys, Telly Awards and Hollywood Reporter Key Arts Awards.
Studio facilities Rick has worked in include Capitol Records, Oceanway Recording, The Record Plant, Technicolor, Deluxe, Warner Bros and on location all over the country. He has mixed and recorded with artist such as Chris Cornell, Goo Goo Dolls, Rancid, Kinky, Smokey Robinson, Black Eyed Peas, and Justin Timberlake.
Rick and Veronica live in Los Angeles, CA with their two children. He is a musician, speaks fluent Spanish, and when not in the studio, he coaches Pony baseball.