... notes on dave eichhorn

Dave has quite literally immersed himself in post-production for most of his life. In fact, he has over 370 MOW's, features, TV episodes, and mini-series credits to his name. He has also produced, directed and edited 5 corporate videos from script to screen; cut a movie trailer for Paramount and has editing & mix credits on 2 top-selling CD comedy soundtrack albums.

It might have been apparent from the start. At the ripe old age of 9, Dave was spending an inordinate amount of time in the local library. He had discovered that there was a section wayyy in the back that housed sound-effects records and movie soundtracks....and he would bring as many of these home as they would allow. Then he and his brother Rick would spend hours on end creating short "audio skits" or "radio programs" using audio cassette tape recorders, the sound effects records, and make-it-up-as-you-go scripting. Little did he know that this early training with the use of sound effects would pay off in his life years later.

And when he got his first movie camera, an 8mm model, he filmed everyone and everything in his path. Then came still photography. This fascination led him right into the film school at the Ohio State University, where he chewed thru every course that was offered. He created several student films as assignments including an ambitious third year film entitled "The Obsession" -- which prompted a professor to encourage Dave to go to Los Angeles. "This wonderful man told me that he could see potential and that I should get myself out to Hollywood as soon as possible. So, I did!"

dave drove himself to hollywood in 1983

After getting himself established on the west coast, Dave worked on every film he could to start building a credit list. He did editing and sound work on several short features at the American Film Institute and several UCLA student shorts. In 1987 he got his first paying job in film, as an assistant editor for the National Geographic Specials, where he recieved first-hand experience in the documentary creation process.

His first network television assignment was the (then) new series, Tequila and Bonetti, created by uber-producer Donald Bellisario (Baa-Baa Black Sheep, Magnum P.I., Quantum Leap, JAG). "That was most definitely a trial-by-fire situation. I didn't have a clue what I was doing but under that sort of pressure, with such an incredibly demanding client, I learned; and I learned FAST". When acting as a sound supervisor, Dave's job is to manage the post-production sound editorial process so that before a show goes on the air, all of the sound effects and dialogue are clear, concise, in the right place, and meaningful. In most cases, this means overseeing a team of editors. In short, he is responsible for all of the sound of a given show except for the music. He must be doing something right; he has been honored with 3 Primetime Emmy Awards as well as 5 Golden Reel Awards. And he's been Emmy-nominated 11 times.

and now, running a business...

Dave is now running Wild Planet Design, a web-and-graphic-design business: "Wild Planet Design is a full-service graphic design company. It started out as purely a web design company, but with the acquisition of several corporate clients, the company is now called upon for all sorts of graphic design duties." Dave's designs have graced national magazine ads, brochures, newsletters and business cards. His clients have also asked him to create corporate image videos and training films. And as far as websites, so far Dave has designed and built over 130 of them. He originated the concept of a hosting / maintenance package, whereby the client pays a single monthly fee for hosting AND site maintenance. This entitles the client to a certain amount of changes/updates per month, depending on the maintenance plan chosen. No more out-of-pocket expenses was an idea that many clients embraced, and it became a popular offering. Currently Wild Planet hosts and maintains 43 websites....and counting.

"We really have one of the most cost-effective plans around. $29 per month (hosting w/site support & maintenance) not only gets you rock-solid hosting with TONS of bandwidth, but it also assures personal customer service. That means that I respond to your questions and technical issues personally and deal with them as they arise. When we become your hosting company, we think of ourselves as your partners. Our job is to make sure your website achieves it's goal - to bolster your comany. I frequently offer technical advice and sometimes am able to help customers through computer problems in just a few minutes over the phone, thereby saving them hundreds of dollars in potential computer technician fees."

If Dave happens to find any free time in the midst of the maelstrom that he has created for himself, he finds plenty of solace in tennis, cooking, and playing the piano & guitar. "Music is the glue that kind of sticks everything together. Without that, life would be .....just sort of like flat champagne".

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