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.
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. In 2017, Jaime was invited to become a Board member with the MD Film Industry Coalition, an advocacy group for more film and television production in Maryland. Jaime also manages and performs in the successful Maryland based band, Sweet Leda. He and his wife, Julie, Sweet Leda’s vocalist, live in Pasadena, Maryland.
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!
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.
Rich formally entered the world of post-production sound as an intern at Studio Unknown in 2011. After freelancing for StUn as a Sound Effects Editor and supporting several field recording expeditions, Rich was offered a full time position with the team in early 2015. He also maintains a career in live sound for concerts, theatre, and events.
Rich was an Assistant Audio Recordist for the 2013 Brevard Music Festival which featured soloists Joshua Bell, Johannes Moser, and Jean Yves Thibaudet. Soon after, he joined the production crew at the Lisner Auditorium as an Audio Technician. He graduated with honors from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County having studied music and the recording arts.
Rich dreads leaving voicemails, enjoys listening to video game soundtracks, and almost always leaves room for dessert. His favorite sound is Godzilla’s roar or the seismic charges from Star Wars Episode II… depending on the day.
Cazz Cerkez graduated from Towson University where he studied Electronic Media and Film. Since then, he has sound designed and composed music for dance performances, documentary, horror/thriller, drama, comedy, and animation.
Cazz first joined the team at Studio Unknown as an intern in 2015. Already a talented composer, he immediately showed promise as a budding sound editor and designer. Quick to learn and eager to advance, Cazz was invited to join Studio Unknown as an editor and composer upon completion of his internship in 2016.
As a Composer, Cazz commonly combines synthesizers, guitars, strings, and percussion to create a fitting tone for a film. His passion started in the 6th grade when he would spend his weekends improvising short films with friends. It was in the edit where he would realize his favorite part was how a soundtrack could bring everything to life and completely determine the tone of a scene.
Outside of the audio post world, Cazz has worked as an audio technician for concerts/events, and played guitar and synth with several bands around the DMV area. In his free time Cazz enjoys playing with synthesizers, watching movies, and snowboarding. He also loves a good cup of coffee while cooking breakfast and listening to some chill music.
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.