Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1546054
M OT I O N P I CTU R E S O U N D E D I TO R S 63 human creativity. Look at what this industry has built. Look at where it's going. I think it's pretty extraordinary. EM: When you're looking for new people to join your team, what qualities matter most to you? BA: It depends on the project and the genre, but I'm always looking for talent first—does the reel match the kind of work we're doing? Then I look for a unique voice, strong skills, and a good collaborator. This is an inherently collaborative industry. I want people with a track record of working well with others and bringing genuine creative expression to their work. EM: Last question: if you were just graduating now and starting over today, what advice would you give yourself? BA: Go to a program—not just for the curriculum and the tools, but for the people you'll meet. Find out whether you truly love this: the technology, the creative problem-solving, the constant learning. If you do, keep going. You need tenacity. Network genuinely—go to conventions, game jams, industry events. Show up not once, but repeatedly. If someone sees you every month, eventually they think, "I'm going to give that person a chance." That's just human nature. And when someone gives you feedback, take it seriously. Be open, stay curious, and never assume you've figured it out. That openness is what gets you in the door—and it's what keeps you there. EM: Becky, it's been wonderful talking through your career and all you've experienced. Thank you so much. Becky Allen accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Game Audio Network Guild Awards.