Since receiving the accolade of ACM’s ‘Outstanding Music Production Student’ for Higher Diploma in 2011, Dominique Gane has continued her pursuit of excellence in to the industry which she loves choosing to move to Düsseldorf, Germany and take up a position as a Foley Editor. ACM caught up with Dominique to discuss her progress since her graduation from ACM in 2011.
What have you been up to since leaving ACM?
After Leaving ACM I spent a lot of time contacting potential employers and meeting people in the industry who could point me in the right direction – which is how I eventually found my dream job. In the meantime, I worked as the Technical Tour Manager for a travelling theatre company for a few months (which among other things involved running sound and lighting for the show) and did sound for some interviews for the out4marriage campaign which took place in Westminster Abbey and Portcullis House, the offices for the Houses of Parliament. In my free time I was doing what I am now doing for a living, because I love doing it!
Tell us about who you’re working with?
The company is called “The Foley Lounge” (based in Düssedorf, Germany). My boss, the owner of the company, is George Harpig – the Foley Artist for such projects as “Flying Mosters 3D with David Attenborough” (documentary), “Prisoners Wives” (TV series), and “The Escapist” (film). He is an amazing Foley Artist and a joy to work with.
What’s been your proudest moment/career highlights so far?
The first project I worked on as Foley Editor here in Germany was a new BBC comedy series called “Me and Mrs Jones”. Working on this series was a lot of fun and I could not believe my luck! After finishing the series we went to the pub and, when asked what we had been doing, my boss very proudly showed off my work to anyone who would listen.
So, what’s on the horizon for the remainder of 2012 & 2013?
I would eventually like to return to England and work for a Post Production company there, but I love my job so much that I don’t mind living here in Germany for the foreseeable future. I would like to continue working for this Foley company for a few years; the team is lovely, the projects we get involved in are great, and I put a fair bit of effort to get here, so it seems crazy to run away from it any time soon!
Do you have any advice or tips for our current ACM students?
If you know where you want to be, find out how to get there and get a move on. You will get a lot of ‘no’s but it only takes one yes for things to happen. Be persistent! If you can’t get the exact job you want but can get one in the right industry / one that’s similar enough, take it – if nothing else it will give you more of an understanding and appreciation for the jobs that are connected to yours, and hopefully open doors to the job you do want. Stay focused, be patient, keep trying – you will get there.
ACM would like to thank Dominique for getting back in touch and catching us up on her progress since graduating from the Music Production Higher Diploma course and would like to wish her luck with her forthcoming projects.
If you’d like to know more about becoming a Foley Editor and how you could kick start a career in Music Production through a full time music production course, then get in touch with ACM.