My interest in sound began at a young age, sparked by many different influences. But when asked, "What got you interested in sound?" the answer I usually give to keep things brief is watching the WALL-E DVD bonus features as a kid.

That early curiosity grew into a real passion during my high school years. In my music tech classes, I fell in love with creating ambient music and started thinking of sound as a form of sculpture that evolves over time and the creation of sound art like sculpting through additive and subtractive processes. Simultaneously, my work in stage tech, after working my way up to being stage manager for all the school’s drama productions, made me realize how much I loved working behind the scenes to bring stories to life. Running a live performance felt like conducting an orchestra, where every light, sound cue, and movement had to be perfectly timed to keep the audience in the story. These ideas of sculpting and conducting sound to tell a story continue to influence how I design, edit, and mix sound today.

I continued my studies at Los Angeles City College’s Herb Alpert Music Center, focusing on music technology and composition before transferring to CalArts, where I majored in sound design. I’m proud to be the first graduate of the new Experience Design and Production course. At CalArts, I worked closely with filmmakers and animators, contributing to a prolific amount of projects and refining my skills in audio post-production. During this time, I also began working with Formosa Interactive as a dialogue editor, collaborating on projects for high-profile clients like Activision, Bethesda, and Mihoyo.

I believe in the power of authentic, human-centered sound. It is my job to ensure Cheviot Sound is dedicated to crafting audio experiences that connect with people on a deep, emotional level. As the entertainment industry evolves, I remain focused on innovation while holding onto the unique qualities that only real, human creativity and expression can bring. To collaborate with passionate creators in crafting meaningful soundscapes that bring depth and impact to every project is the goal.

~Jack Weiss