Agency audio pro expands Particle’s LA services

Particle’s Eddie Alonzo

PARTICLE’S LA BRANCH has hired Eddie Alonso to head the post audio company’s West Coast expansion via a new position that encompasses engineering, mixing, sound design and composition.

Cuba-born Alonso moves from spending 11 years at Crispin Porter + Bogusky/LA serving most recently as senior composer/sound designer and working on campaigns including Microsoft, MetLife, IKEA, Burger King, Old Navy, Coke Zero and Volkswagen.

Alonso works alongside composer/music editor Josh Good and integrated producer Mina Louy. The office reports many jobs are in the beginning stages, including spots for Sears and Wilson Sporting Goods.

NOISE FLOOR’S NEW STUDIO MANAGER is Katie Waters, who is responsible for day-to-day operations of the seven-person cmpany. A 2001 Columbia College film grad, Waters previously freelanced for Harpo Studios as a logger on its shows, at Optimus and Particle and has worked as a Foley artist.

“Noise Floor” gave me the best hands-on experience and for me their facility, personalities and work ethic felt like home, which is exactly what I want our clients to experience,” Waters says, adding, “I’m going to kick ass and take names.”

DDB CHICAGO’S NEW TOP STRATEGY DIRECTOR is Jack Perone, “bringing to the agency a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective,” says DDB CEO Paul Gunning.  Perone had spent 18 years at JWT New York, most recently as director of planning and global planning. 

A $150,000 GRANT from the MacArthur Foundation to fund  documentaries is going to Ines Sommer, of Evanston’s Sommer Film/Video.

The only Chicago-area recipient out of the 15 MacArthur doc grants, the $150,000 will go towards her doc, “Count Me In,” a joint venture with WTTW. It highlights a novel experiment in direct democracy, when a Chicago alderman gave his discretionary funds to community residents, who decide how to spend taxpayers’ money.

A director and cinematographer, Sommer is currently shooting and editing a tribute to Rev. Clay Evans, one of Chicago’s iconic civil rights and religious leaders.

ANOTHER EVANSTON DOC MAKER, May May Tchao, made her directorial debut with feature length “Spilled Water,” which has its first   TV airing on Ch. 11 Thursday, Nov. 6 at 9 p.m.

Co-produced with Xan Aranda, “Spilled Wateris an exploration how China’s economic transformation is changing the roles, rights, and social status of its women, against the background of cultural gender bias.

SCC’S JOINT VENTURE with Captivate Mobile Engagement Solutions, a native app technology and development company, will enlarge the agency’s integrated digital mobile resources.  Captivate Mobile is headed by mobile tech veterans John Anthony, CEO and Stephanie Dressel, chief product officer, who previously had been execs at mobile tech firm 4DK.  They will office in SCC’s West Loop building.

A TWIST ON SPEED DATING is SAG AFTRA’s Conservatory’s Nov. 10 Agent Speed Dating, whereby union members get a one-on-one chance to get advice from some of the top agents in town.

On-camera agents Marisa Paonessa, Paonessa Talent Agency and Peggy Johnson, Johnson McKay Talent will spend five minutes with actors. 

Voiceover actors get 10 minutes discussing headshots and work with Vanessa Lanier, Grossman Jack, Susie Desantis, Desantis Talent; headshots, Laurie Hamilton, Shirley Hamilton Talent.

At the Kauffher Center, 1 E. Erie, 6-8 p.m.

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