Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1538144
12 M PS E . O R G BY CHARLES MAYNES MPSE Paulette Lifton MPSE Board member I was born in the heart of Hollywood, so maybe it was inevitable that I'd end up in the world of film and television. But for me, it wasn't about chasing the spotlight—it was about telling stories. That passion sparked in my mid-30s and took root in UCLA's short fiction film program. I threw myself into every aspect of the craft, from assistant director to producer, working on student films that went on to win awards. It was an intense education in storytelling and collaboration, and it set the tone for everything that came next. My creative curiosity led me far from Los Angeles to Nashville, where I had the incredible opportunity to direct and edit music videos and commercials for Getting into "The Industry" is something each of our members has a unique, and usually unusual path into the film, TV, interactive, and gaming audio community. MPSE Wavelength is pleased to present an ongoing column that presents the various experiences of our membership in their path into the industry. Our MPSE Board of Directors will be presenting their experience, and we would love to see our membership contribute to this column about their experiences as well. some of the biggest names in country music. But it was during a pivot into editing independent features that I stumbled upon a new obsession: sound. I realized how profoundly audio shapes emotion and drives narrative. That revelation changed everything. In 1997, I made a bold move—I sold my house and poured everything I had into launching Oracle Post, co-founded by myself and my partner, James Lifton, a post-production company with studios in Santa Monica and Burbank. At first, I focused on picture editing, but I couldn't ignore my growing passion for sound. I transitioned fully into audio, eventually becoming a supervising sound editor and ADR supervisor. From documentaries to live-action features to television, I found myself drawn to the textures and rhythms of sound in every format. Then came animation—and that's where I really found my groove. The genre gave me the freedom to push creative boundaries while staying laser- focused on detail. I've been honored with five Emmy nominations and two wins for my work in animation, and through it all, I remained independent and nonunion for most of my career. I only recently joined the union, and the transition was seamless thanks to decades of experience and the support of an incredible community. I'm a self-taught artist, but I've never walked this path alone. I've been lucky to learn from and work alongside some of the most generous and talented people in the business. Today, with my newest venture, Oracle Sound and Voice, I'm returning to my roots with a renewed focus and a deepened love for the craft. It's been a full-circle journey— from the cutting rooms of UCLA to Emmy gold—and I can't wait to see what comes next. Stuart Morton MPSE Board member I studied film & video at Central Saint Martins in London, graduating with distinction—my film education really began when I got the chance to work at Shepperton Studios. I was lucky to get a foot in the door through a family connection, and even luckier to be surrounded by generous, talented people who showed me the ropes. It was an exciting time. The industry was shifting from analog to digital and I was soaking up everything I could. After three years there, I made the BREAKING ENTERING & That passion sparked in my mid-30s and took root in UCLA's short fiction film program. I threw myself into every aspect of the craft, from assistant director to producer, working on student films that went on to win awards.