Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1178376
C A S Q U A R T E R L Y F A L L 2 0 1 9 75 b y G . J o h n G a r r e t t C A S Mixing Without Borders: From the US to the UK I recently caught up with busy mixer Chris Durfy CAS, who has taken his talents to the UK from the US. We spoke about where he started, how he got there, and what kinds of differences he found working in the two countries separated by a common language. How'd you start out in sound, and where? How long have you been at it? I started off as a reality mixer in Cincinnati, Ohio, in early 2002. I then moved down to Atlanta, where I met Whit Norris CAS. He took me under his wing, as he has so many others. (Thanks, Whit! Miss you guys!) I started doing 2nd unit work around Atlanta until I landed my first show as 1st unit mixer for Teen Wolf (the series on MTV). After that, it was a mix of movies and series around Atlanta. My last show before I moved to the UK was Stranger Things, Season 1. That was a good one! How did you come to wind up in the UK, and where are you? I've come to the UK on a Spouse Visa with my family, as my wife is English. It's great to be nearer to family and for the amazing experiences of living in and around Europe. I live in the southwest of Devon, but I have a base in Bristol. That allows me to work in Bristol, Cardiff, and Bath. Also, Cornwall is a stone's throw from home. I'll buy the first round! How did you get established once you landed? Getting started, it was quite slow going. I had some help from my good friend Robert Sharman, who was living here at the time. He helped me to understand how things worked over here. He also introduced me to another US mixer (aka Yank) living here, Glen Marullo, who is also now a very good friend. Are you there for good, more or less? I'm here for the long term. In just over two years, I will be eligible for my UK passport. It was quite difficult for me to get my work visa, even though my wife is English, due to the current climate of politics. The costs were quite substantial and the paperwork was, and continues to be, quite a bit. I'm not sure that if someone didn't have a UK spouse or, at least, a spouse with a work visa, that it would be very easy for them to be able to work here. Have you connected with the AMPS community and other mixers in the country? I have joined AMPS as a member. I've also joined BECTU (the UK's media and entertainment union) and IPS (Institute of Professional Sound). There is a strong community among sound folks here, for sure. There are monthly meetups at local pubs in many of the larger cities. What's different from working in the US, and what's the same?