In memoriam Michael Chobot

Michael Chobot

I've been nominated for an Emmy for sound design in news and documentary, and it is a bittersweet honor. I headed the sound design team that included two extremely talented sound people, Matt Gundy and Michael Chobot, with whom I share the nomination. Last week, Michael passed away after a two year struggle with leukemia. 

I met Mike at DuArt a few years ago when he booked a studio to mix a short film.   My first impression was that he was enthusiastic. I couldn't tell if he knew what he was doing, but I got a good vibe from the brief discussion we had to set up the session. A young guy, I think he was 25, he did a sound design and mix on the graveyard shift all by himself. When I left work he was setting up with the director. 

The next morning I came in to find everybody wrapping up. The director looked happy and relaxed, which you don't see every day. At the time I was looking for a mixer and I called Mike a few days later to ask if he wanted to work at DuArt mixing a cartoon series for TV. I'd only spent about twenty minutes with him total, but I just knew he would be great at it. He became a wonderful addition to what could sometimes be a stressful environment; good natured, capable, talented and able to figure anything out under pressure.

Mike was fun to be around.  He was enthusiastic and engaged about whatever project he approached. He mixed his first episode of the cartoon series and got zero notes back from the client, meaning that he nailed it the first time out. He was athletic, he ran an ultra-marathon. He composed and recorded a classical wedding theme that was choreographed to live fireworks. For his brother's wedding, I think.

Shortly after Mike was diagnosed I briefly met a couple of his family members. I was amazed by the love and support I felt from them. It felt healthy and good. In the past two years I was fortunate to speak with him from time to time as he was setting up his own studio. It's pretty unusual to have a conversation with a person with a serious illness and come away feeling positive. He had a great perspective on things, he could look at a terrible situation - like being blinded by a battery of toxic therapies - and be fascinated by the response his body was having to it. All in all, an amazing guy.

For the Emmy nominated Duckumentary, Mike edited the backgrounds and the duck vocalizations. I told him that the various sequences, which were set all over the world, had to be geographically correct. During our final FX review just before the mix, the director requested that duck calls be added to a moment where a flock takes off from the water. There was a beat, then Mike responded over the speaker phone that, based on his research, this particular breed of ducks does not call when traveling in a flock. Another beat, then the director smiled and withdrew her request. Mike was very smart and polite enough to communicate with just the right tone. 

I feel very fortunate to have known Mike and to have been able to work with him for a time. My deepest sympathies to his incredible family.