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ABOUT ME
I am a graduate from Montana State University’s Film Program, 2007. Sound is the only department I have ever wanted to be a part of and I absolutely love it. From big brand commercials to low budget feature filmmaking, I like to do it all. Being thoughtful of sound and capturing on location is something that I think about in order to help achieve the absolute best and biggest outcomes. In the 10+ years working on professional sets, I have learned troubleshooting that goes with the ever changing landscape of shooting. I care deeply about working hard to get the absolute best sound for any situation.
Creativity and dedication to this skill have given me some unbelievable opportunities and this is why I got into working in sound in the first place. I wanted to meet people, I wanted to travel, and I want to show something of myself that might not be possible in any other field. Without the effort that goes in to working with the tools we have to make the outcome award winning and up to the standard that makes professional film making just that, professional.
The name ‘Avans Sound’ is in memory of close friend, collaborator, and award winning Director of Photography Andrew Evans. Andrew left us too early. May his hard work, amplitude for quality, and passion for filmmaking live on eternal. RIP.
IATSE, OMPA
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rateCARD
$850...
Commercial Mixing
Based on a 10 hour workday.
$625...
Basic Gear rental package
Recorder, 2 lavs, 1 boom, 1 camera timecode box
…Please direct rate and gear rental negotiations to email, every project is different and I am happy to work a wide range of budgets. Day rates are based on Portland and Seattle markets, and reflect National IATSE hourly rate averages. Gear rental based on current standard rates as reflected at Trew Audio, Gotham Sound, or Location Sound Corps…
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Services
Commercial Mixing
Sound for commercial is special because the day often calls for a single piece of dialogue that needs to be grabbed quick and clean. Multiple cameras, high profile on-screen talent, and clean capturing makes this world of mixing very important.
Some Clients :
Nike, Moët & Chandon, Rapha, Adidas, Land Rover, Jordan, Timberland, Blockbuster, Hoka One One, Gerber Knives, Nikon, Copenhagen, Tissot, Cinco, Big Face Coffee, General Electric, The Atlantic, Cycling Frog, PEMCO, MUUL, Columbia Sportswear, eCascadia, Oregon Lotto, Benchmade, Fanta.
“Zach is a sound mixer that isn’t just incredibly good at his job— he’s an incredible human being. He knows when to raise concerns, how to scale up or down and that sometimes you just have to make it work. And he truly cares about storytelling which is something that should not be taken for granted in any one of your collaborators. He fit right into our tight knit team and blew me away with his dedication and sense of humor. Big guy, and even bigger heart. He’ll be a lifelong collaborator as long as he’s available!”
Production sound mixing
From feature length to shorts, sound plays the biggest role in story telling. Performances and line reads are different every single take. I take great pride in getting lines clean any and every chance I get. Obviously this, sometimes, is not possible but figuring out set and location logistics as well as problem solving is something that many years of experience have helped me get very good at.
Field recording
To be a fly on the wall and get an honest recording of our natural world and cultural environment is hard to do sometimes. Being able to nail it and walk away with a gem of a once in a lifetime chance secured, is a totally different story. From the Hoh Rainforest to San Quentin Prison Yard sermons, I have secured countless unbelievable recordings.
“If all Zach had to offer to a production was his tremendous talent, knowledge, and passion, it would be enough to make him a no-brainer sort of hire. Luckily for us producers, he also brings an undeniable and infectious level of compassion, humanity, and positive energy to set. Zach’s integrity as an artist matched with his integrity as a human being make him an essential part of any project, and it is why he is one of my first phone calls any time I’m putting together something new.”
Documentary
This has long time become a natural space to work in. I love telling stories that have changed people and allow us to become a better world. The soundscape that comes with non-fiction is often times not controlled and I love to show that in my recordings. Knowing the threshold of what is usable and what helps push your story forward is something that skill and experience have shaped me to be able to do.
Gear rental
I have collected gear for over 15 years. Using only industry standard equipment and caring for it to be operational and trustworthy is of the utmost importance. I have a large amount of sound and timecode gear that I am happy to help you get what you need to be happy with your shoot.
outcomes
Films I have mixed have premiered globally. Tribeca Film Festival, Slamdance, Cork Film Festival (IRE), Locarno Film Festival (SUI), Brussels Film Festival (BEL), SXSW, Nantucket Film Festival, St. Louis International Film Festival, Fort Lauderdale Film Festival, Red Nation Film Festival, Sidewalk Film Festival, the list continues…
IMDB
“On set, Zach was amazing to work with. Only when we got into post did we see what wasn’t noticed on set during production. Our sound designer found tracks for foley, wild lines, ambience, and planted mics on every scene. He absolutely saved us in post.”
POST SOUND & SOUND DESIGN
Yes, I do that also. Inquire within.
I TRUST THIS STUFF
Sound Devices recorder/mixers
Since the beginning of high fidelity digital sound recording, Sound Devices has been the industry standard and pioneer of quality recorders and mixers. I use the 688 and 633 as my daily rigs on jobs.
WISYCOM wireless Transmitters and receivers
Using narrow band frequency assignments, Wisycom allows me to fit in as many channels as I need to get clear feeds and long range. I pair Sanken COS-11 and Countryman B6 lavs with my talent mics.
Denecke Timecode systems
Impossible to miss thanks to his cartoon portrait etched into every piece of gear, Mike Denecke has made the best timecode generators that Hollywood has ever used. I use Denecke TS-C smart slates and JB-1 lockit boxes.
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Some photos
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CONTACT
I would love to work with you on anything you need good quality sound for. I am happy to discuss rates to work within your budget, and to be sure both parties are happy. Please send me an email or feel free to call me at 317-385-1707