Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1487730
54 I M PS E . O R G they'll send me a text asking if everything went OK. It's expected now. When you put that kind of importance on your team, they'll cover your ass when you need it. Plus it's "our show" not just mine. In 2004 when Michael Lawshe brought me back to Warner Bros. to be his co-supervisor on Smallville and Supernatural, I didn't have enough TV supervision credits for Warner Bros. to put me on a show alone. Accumulating those co-supervisor credits with him completely changed my career path. I'm now doing a similar thing with members of my team. If you lock arms with me I'm going to keep you busy and you're going to get the credits to help you continue to grow and eventually go on to be a supervisor when that time comes. Vince Tennant has been my co-supervisor since 2018 and is my secret weapon. I could do a separate interview on him alone. He's a plug-in genius and so much more. He's taught me a lot. Another one of my secret weapons is Peter Lago my sound designer who has been with me since 2014. He's an incredible artist and if it wasn't for him, I don't think I'd have the success I do. In the last few years, sound designer Steven Avila joined my team. I've been trying to get him for a long while. Most recently Ray Parks came aboard to close out my SFX team. My core team consists of three sound designers and a few dialogue editors that I try to hold onto. CJ Carpenter is one of them that Vince has brought on. Another artist that saves dialogue from being looped all the time. He has amazing skills. Deron Street, the Warner Bros. 1st assistant, and his team do what they do so I don't have to ever worry. When it flows it works. Clay Weber cuts my Foley and Sanaa Kelley walks all my shows. With them, I know it's always 100% covered. This is how we can do the shows we do. Forming a team is the most important tool of a sound supervisor. I know what each one of my team members is capable of and they bring it every episode. Success is all about relationships and teamwork. The work of the team is why we're busy and when I get a show I make sure the producers know us all, We are stronger as a team and together we do what's needed to get the shows done. Like my dad, I'm always on the hunt for more shows and working those past relationships is key. I know I have to keep my team busy and happy, If I don't, they'll be snatched up by another supervisor. MA: What's next for Charlie Crutcher? CC: I turn 60 next year. I guess I could retire, but I don't see the finish line yet. I think one day I'll teach. Professor Crutcher has a nice ring to it. haha... This would be a way I could give back, but for now, I'm busier than I've ever been. Doing great shows, why would I quit now? If you do something you love, you'll never work a day in your life. Sure, sometimes it's stressful but I find a drive in that, keeps my blood moving. As long as I can keep putting out the highest quality work and the clients keep coming, I'll keep creating. If you stop enjoying it or start phoning your work in, it's time to hang up your headphones and walk away. I'm not done yet, I have more stories to tell with sound. MA: Thanks for taking the time to share those thoughts with our readers Charlie, it's been a pleasure talking with you. CC: I'm just one of many supervisors out there. I'm humbled by all the ones I've worked with and seen over the years. I'm thankful to have been able to carve out a career in this great unique industry of ours. Thank you for thinking my input was worth hearing. I've been lucky to have had the career I have and it's not because of my family name. While this industry is influenced by relationships, if you don't have the skills, nobody cares who your family is, you're out of the job.,