SDA 008: Derrick Espino – Tokyo, Tech, and The Last Of Us

This week I sat down with Sound Designer Derrick Espino. Derrick is not only an amazing human being, but has also worked on Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception, God of War: Chains of Olympus, God of War III, Twisted Metal, Soul Sacrifice, God of War: Ascension, The Last of Us, The Last of Us: Left Behind, and so many more. You can check out all of his titles here. It’s really incredible stuff.

Session Notes:

Originally from Modesto, CA

Moved to LA

Currently livin’ the dream in Tokyo

Working with an international team has its challenges

It pays to radiate positivity and people dig enthusiasm

Japanese banks close at 3 pm. 

Family has a musical background. Derrick grew up around music.

When Derrick was 6-7 he discovered he could use his mom’s portable tape recorder to capture sounds

Beatles fan at an early age

Wanted to play guitar and that really set the stage

Had a 4-track in High School

Started out wanting to be an illustrator

When Derrick decided to do sound he went to the Expression Center for New Media in Emeryville California

Worked with Ann Kroeber when in school. She ended up liking his stuff, and Derrick became her intern.

Used a Nagra back in 2001, but generally used DAT

Edited Sound on American Gun

From there worked at Earwax with Jeff Darby

Moved to LA started working at Sound Dogs and  met Andrew Bracken

Was offered a game audio gig, and turned it down. Was offered the job again five months later, and passed it along to Jeff.

The same group had a ton of extra work and needed a contractor. That’s when Derrick joined and met all the folks at Sony.

They then offered him a job, and Derrick turned it down again.

Later they had some more freelance work, and Derrick took that.

Got into a tight spot financially, and a friend ended up calling and offered another game contractor job. This led to Derrick getting the job he had turned down 3 times. This was the game changer.

You can make through even the darkest times.

You can’t appreciate the good moments if you’ve never survived the bad ones.

Everything can change on a dime. Good fortune can go away just as easily as it comes, and vice versa.

We’re trying to educate folks on audio, so that life can be better for all audio people.

EPIC DISCUSSON OF THE LAST OF US

Derrick’s High School Band: Rhythmic Sushi

A big sound design inspiration: Eddie VanHalen 

Discussion on sound philosophy

Michael poo poo’s the orc calls in the Battle of Helm’s Deep

Derrick recommends Steal Like an Artist

Discussion of the Wilhelm Scream and it’s permeance in games and film

Always serve the story first and foremost.

A discussion of the Beatles and isolated tracks.

If you’re going to do Sound Design, you’re going to tell stories to other people.