Today we’d like to introduce you to Belle Alatorre
Hi Belle, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello,
I started my sound design and audio engineer journey in high school. Originally I wanted to be an actor but over time I realized that I disliked being onstage but loved being in the room working with all my friends creating art. Shortly after I switched over to doing stage management. Since my school was very small, I became the point person navigating stage management, sound design, and lighting design in my senior year. With this responsibility, I grew a love of sound design and began my journey. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it were not for working with people who continued to push me along my journey. People like Noel Nichols recommending me to apply for a couple of fellowships that improved my career, Glenn Schuster constantly setting me up with work, and Palmer Hefferan continuing to inspire me, work with me, and introduce me to new people.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not. This industry has a reputation of burning people out and I definitely felt it many times. A lot of people have warned me about the struggles of missing important family dates, having to travel away from their significant others, and being exhausted from the mental and physical capacity this work takes. A struggle I also face being feminine in this industry is not being taken seriously. There are tons of times when men have undermined me or stolen my idea as their own, as many femme beings have had to deal with. Visiting sound engineers have told me that they did not realize I did sound and thought I worked in admin just stopping by to see what they did. I had a boss tell me once that no one takes me seriously because I have a bubbly personality which was one of the hardest things to grapple with. The list goes on, but as my family says “ponte las pilas” (put the batteries in) and continue on.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a sound designer and audio engineer for theatre. I also edit, mix, and design the Spanish version of the podcast The Folklorists alongside with my friend Glenn. I would say I am most proud of the work I create and how far I have grown over time. Recently, I edited and mixed an episode of The Folklorists and I received a note 2 weeks later to change a specific moment. By the time I received the note I forgot what I had done so I went back to listen to my work and I remember being impressed with some of the choices I made. It was a moment of gratitude and awe for myself. That also leads to what sets me apart from others, I think a huge part of it is my attitude and personality. I am bubbly, I do love life and love everyone and everything. The work that I do is a gift I try to share with others, I give my all when creating and engineering because you never know who it will impact.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Some advice I have is to find a group of people that you feel comfortable with taking constructive criticism from and work with them. In your journey, you will make mistakes and you won’t know when you were wrong. If you are defensive you won’t grow, but if you can work with people who make you feel comfortable, you will be able to learn from your mistakes and admit to being wrong. Another thing I would say is be patient with yourself. It is not a race, we are all on different journeys and there is enough room for all of us to succeed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stolenmemory.art/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stolenmemory/?hl=en
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/belle-alatorre-8a836b288/
