A COLLABORATIVE POST
WRITTEN BY BOOM BOX POST
This month, we chatted with one of our sound effect editors, James Yaiullo to get a better understanding of who he is and how he started his career. James has been at Boom Box Post for a little over two years. Outside of Boom Box Post, he enjoys skateboarding and playing live music.
What inspired you to choose post production sound as a career?
I was undecided in early college. I resonated with visual arts (photography, mostly) and music/sound design, so I enrolled in intro visual arts and sound courses. I ended up enjoying the sound/music courses far more. The visual arts assignments ended up feeling like work, whereas the sound/music courses were genuinely fun. They weren’t a chore, they felt like opportunities.
What brought you from NY to CA?
The job hunt. I moved from Long Island to Los Angeles in early 2019, working at a coral shop doing aquaculture work as well as freelancing sound design and music gigs.
Outside of your actual sound design work, what’s your favorite part about working for BBP?
My coworkers. I feel we all get along so well and are like-minded. For a long time I’d been itching to become a part of a creative team, so getting this opportunity was a dream come true.
TELL US ABOUT SOME OF THE series you’VE worked on here AT BOOM BOX POST.
I’ve worked on Gabby’s Dollhouse, Rugrats, Santiago of the Seas, Pupstruction, The Loud House, Kindergarten: The Musical, and The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder. I watched an intense amount of animated media growing up, not really enjoying anything live-action until late high school. Being a part of shows that may shape the sensibilities and interests of a new generation of kids is very meaningful to me.
What was your favorite animated series or movie as a child?
Spongebob Squarepants, hands down. It was endlessly hilarious and entertaining as a kid and has only gotten more enjoyable as an adult. It is such a wonderful balance of absurd and thoughtful. My favorites are the first three seasons and the movie.
What do you like to do outside of Boom Box Post?
One of my favorite hobbies is skateboarding. I skate to and from work most days. It’s by far my favorite way to exercise, as well as a great form of self-expression. I also love writing and playing music with my friends and family, especially my two brothers, and incorporating what we create into strange videos and absurd comedy sketches.
What is your favorite sound effects build that you have made?
Probably the music party bus in Gabby’s Dollhouse. It’s a bus that is fueled not by motor and gasoline, but by music and singing. The build isn’t super complex, but I love the visual design of the bus and I’m really happy with the whimsical, sparkly, whooshy sounds of the bus flying all around.
IF YOU HAD TO DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS A SOUND EFFECT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
The sound of Mr. Krabs walking, because it would make me very happy. As a kid, I loved the different footstep designs in Spongebob Squarepants specifically for Mr. Krabs, Squidward, and Spongebob. If I could walk fast enough where my legs would produce motion blur, I can only hope it’d be accompanied by the Mr. Krabs walking sound effect.
It’s always a pleasure seeing James roll up to the office. We love having him as a part of our team!
Read more about what we do here at Boom Box Post with these previous posts: