Tim McGovern - Biography

January 2010

Tim McGovern is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, recognized by his peers in the industry as an innovator and a leader at the top of the field. McGovern's current specializations include: facilities design and management from the concept stage through to installation and ongoing operations and stabilization.

McGovern has served as Director of Engineering for both George Lucas' Skywalker Sound at Skywalker Ranch in Marin County, California and for Francis Ford Coppola at his Zoetrope Studios in San Francisco and Napa, California. McGovern was key in leading both organizations through the transition from analog to digital technologies. Currently he works as an independent consultant for various systems integrators who specialize in converged media techniques. Recent projects include: complete media and network integration for new facilities at the University of Southern California (USC) School of Cinematic Arts and design for a digital HDTV production facility for San Lorenzo's Bay Area Digital Arts.

McGovern continues to lead efforts to integrate film as a critical component in 'converged media' as well as using new and emerging internet platforms for transnational and global production.

Background

McGovern started his work in radio, television, and music studios and went on to apply those skills in the film industry. He is adept at audio and video system design, studio design and implementing cutting edge production techniques; he has applied these skills for single focus companies as well as large corporate concerns including Sony and Google.

Community Ventures

McGovern's work has always included major community- based ventures; he enjoys integrating top technology for communities and non-profit sectors. These projects include: on-air facilities for KILI-FM on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota; a ground-up design and installation of KPFA-FM in Berkeley; a complete remodel of a four story bank building in downtown Oakland, into a converged media center for Youth Radio/Youth Media International; and more recently designing an integrated broadband approach for production and training for the Arizona-based Native Public Media.

McGovern has also spent many years as "Chief Engineer in Absentia" for Ardmore Sound, a commercial film post-production facility near Dublin, Ireland.

McGovern is dedicated to using technology as a pathway for diversity and education for the next generation of media and its upcoming producers.

In Summary

McGovern enjoys finding solutions to the various issues involved in converging media, and continues to work with interested parties in developing and integrating the convergence of technologies and new workflows for efficient and accessible production scenarios for film, broadcast, on-line, and mobile platforms.

Resume of Timothy M. McGovern

2121 Ward Street / Berkeley, CA
phone: 510-472-5700
email: tmcg@mcgovtech.com

Recent Work Experience

2007 (Sept) – Present (2010) McGovern Technical Services Berkeley, CA

Consultant, Sole Proprietor

• Provide technical design, project management, and consulting services to various media installation and production companies. Large-scale projects include:

• University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts (first assisting with an on-going design, then lead engineer in modifying and completing the final design and installation known as Phase One; then did complete ground-up design for Phase Two. Systems for both phases included audio, video, and computer switching, networking, and routing).

• San Lorenzo’s Bay Area Digital Arts new video production building (lead engineer generating technical design documentation for this $6M bond project for a state-of-the-art high-definition digital media production training complex).

2005 (Sept) – 2007 (Aug) Youth Radio/Youth Media International Oakland, CA

Technical Director

• Project Manage conversion of an approx 20,000 sq ft four-floor office building into a converged media technical center, coordinating all trades and services for this non-profit group.

• Design and oversee installation of the new audio, video, and IT technical systems. Also lead the process for a thorough architectural redesign of the facility.

• Orchestrate a transparent total move to this new Tech Center home in downtown Oakland.

1998 – 2005 (Aug) Skywalker Sound, Lucasfilm Ltd Nicasio, CA

Director of Engineering

• Manage multiple departments representing a staff of fifteen to twenty individuals, as well as outside contractors for all construction and system wiring

• Departments cover Audio Engineering, Video Engineering, Information Services and Technologies, Mix Stage Support, Projection, Scoring Stage Engineering

• Implement Skywalker’s transition from an analog facility to a fully digital production site. This included the first implementations in a facility of its size of: large scale digital mixing consoles; random access video picture for mixing and editing use; random access digital recorders and players; maximum integration of mixing and editing workflow

• Generate, coordinate, and represent Skywalker’s needs and interests in Mr. Lucas’ ten-million-dollar expansion and remodeling project for the Skywalker Ranch Technical Building (which houses Skysound). This included working with architects, contractors, and multiple Lucas project managers in all aspects and phases of design, demolition, and construction (big picture and fine details). The end result was four remodeled mix stages , nine new small rooms (suitable for sound design and mixing), a compact Foley stage, an ADR stage, seven machine rooms, and eight new edit suites

Previous Work Experience 1979 – 1998

1995-1997 Francis Ford Coppola’s Zoetrope Studios San Francisco, CA

Chief Engineer

Numerous re-purposing, reconstruction, and maintenance projects for editing and sound design suites, mix rooms, machine rooms, telecine room, and the famous “Silverfish” remote production vehicle (a converted Silverstream mobile-home complete with audio/video production systems)

1994-1995 Systems Integration Division, Sony Corp Milpitas, CA

Audio Systems Engineer

Design and build audio systems used in various video applications including production houses, television stations, and remote broadcast trucks. Responsible for the audio segment of Sony’s original “digital” remote truck, designed and implemented the first 5.1 surround sound mixing and monitoring system for vehicle contracted for use by Fox Sports

1991-1993 David Carroll Electronics Berkeley, CA

Engineer / Project Manager

Responsible for the ground up construction of a new site for Berkeley public radio station KPFA-FM. Designed and installed systems to accommodate unique needs including frequent live music and drama productions; and non-technicians operating technical systems. Also in charge of rebuilding the mastering suite for Sony Music in New York City, as well as numerous other smaller projects.

1989-1991 Freelance Work SF Bay Area, CA

Audio Maintenance Engineer

Primarily service music recording studios of all sizes, configurations, and business models; modify and maintain a myriad of mixing consoles, recording decks, processing gear, and monitor systems

1984-1989 Skywalker Sound SF Bay Area, CA

Film Production Audio Engineer / Assistant Chief Engineer

Service and maintain equipment for film stages, edit suites, and field productions; work with editors, mixers, and others towards timely completion of various film projects. As manager, oversee operations and perform administrative duties in addition to stage and technical support

1979-1984 Various Radio Stations SF Bay Area

Broadcast Engineer

Service and maintain studio and transmitter equipment; build and service studio facilities for various Bay Area radio stations

Memberships

• National Association of Broadcasters

• Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

• Technical Committee for the Samuel Goldwyn Theater (AMPAS)