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Design Sound Productions

CHATHAM ON - OCTOBER 2005: After a nightime brush with the supernatural, will Michelle’s first day of High School, be her last?

A NEW SPINE TINGLING AUDIO DRAMA OF HORROR AND SUSPENSE

"SCHOOL SPIRIT" TO DEBUT ON CFCO AM 630 / 92.9 FM AND CHRW 94.9 LONDON

Tune in
CFCO RADIO AM 630 / 92.9 FM on HALLOWEEN NIGHT
31 October 2005 at 6:25 PM AND CHRW 94.9 FM London at 7:30 PM to discover the horrifying answer.

From the production team of David Farquhar, Design Sound Productions Chatham, Ontario and award winning Writer/Director/Composer George Zarr, Manhattan, New York comes "School Spirit" an original and innovative tale of horror and suspense. "School Spirit" features the voice talent of Alexandra Poole as Michelle. Alexandra is perhaps best known for the lead role in Theatre Kent’s production of "Annie." Other cast members include Noelle Dupuis of Parry Sound, Glen Turner of Wallaceburg, Anthony Poser of Toronto and JC Charbonneau, Jason Dolsen and Pat Gough all of Chatham.

David Farquhar, the Executive Producer and background ambience sound designer of the audio drama says "What’s unique about "School Spirit" is the fact that it was taped in a theatre before a live audience". The Show was staged last May at the Von Ayres Cultural Center in Wallaceburg. "It was a real challenge to orchestrate the timing of the live foley effects, pre-recorded background ambiences and sound effects with the actors as everything was performed in real time." Farquhar notes "Christina Roberts and Denise Benoit the live foley artists along with Joseph Benoit who provided the musical accompaniment and spot sound effects and recording engineer Brett Sansom were up to the task."

"George is an excellent director," Farquhar says of Zarr, whose credits include writing and producing over 40 audio drama programs for the SCI FI Channel - Seeing Ear Theatre’s Tales of the Crypt and directing such stars as Tony Danza and John Ritter. Zarr is very impressed with the caliber of talent he had to work with in this production and says "it’s right on par with any audio drama programs being produced in New York." This is the second collaboration for Farquhar and Zarr. Their previous production "Every Now and Then" is currently under consideration for national broadcast on CBC Radio.

On Halloween night lower the lights and listen to "School Spirit" where an eerie picture will emerge leaving an undeniable image of the supernatural long after the last flicker of the candle.

LOCAL RADIO DRAMA TO BE BROADCAST ACROSS NORTH AMERICA

CHATHAM ON - APRIL 2004: A new audio drama just recently produced by Design Sound Productions made it's  premiere North American broadcast on CFCO AM 630 / 92.9 FM on Saturday 20 March 2004. "Every Now And Then " , billed as Mystery/Suspense, combines the talents of award winning writer/director/composer George Zarr of Manhattan with the vocal support of Los Angeles based actor Gregg Rainwater, along with local residents Noelle Dupuis of Tupperville, Norm McLeod, Alexandra Poole, Pat Gough all of Chatham and Bob Steele of Windsor.

"Every Now and Then" is scheduled to be heard across the USA on 70 radio stations as part of The Radio Works anthology series. The Radio Works is based out of New York. " Every Now And Then's" executive producer, David Farquhar of Design Sound Productions , says " with the positive feedback received from CBC Radio in Toronto there is a good chance it will be aired on their nationally broadcast Sunday Showcase radio drama series."

Farquhar, notes the project has been an exciting one for all involved, particularly when Zarr and Rainwater visited Chatham for the production recording. "Every Now And Then" tells the story of one man's puzzling journey between the present and the past, prompted by a sunny day and a visit to a quaint antique store. Farquhar says working with Rainwater, a professional actor has helped "raise the bar, and improve the skill level" for the local actors, and he says they all rose to the occasion. Acting for radio poses some unique challenges, including out of sequence taping, the lack of an audience, and the absence of sound effects that become part of the finished product. But, he believes it's been a wonderful opportunity that will provide the group with "a wider audience." Having developed a positive partnership with Zarr and The Radio Works , Farquhar says he's optimistic other projects might find their way to Chatham.

"George is an excellent director," Farquhar says of Zarr, whose credits include Tales From The Crypt, the award winning NPR radio series Visit New Grimston, Anyway and the off Broadway stage show The First (And Last) Musical On Mars . Rainwater has worked on television shows including the ABC TV western The Young Riders , Days Of Our Lives and Walker, Texas Ranger , as well as film and voice over work. Farquhar says their recent trip to Chatham was the first time the Americans have come to work in Canada, and he hopes it's a trend that continues. All of the local actors, with the exception of Poole, have worked with Farquhar previously, and have been involved with local theatre groups. Putting together a radio drama isn't as easy as it might sound, says Farquhar. Even though the final version is just 30 minutes long, he guesses it took him 80 hours of hard work to put it all together.

Contact: David Farquhar, Executive Producer Tel: (519) 351- 3824 or E mail: dspaudio@kent.net

LOCAL AUDIO PRODUCTION COMPANY HAS HOLLYWOOD CONNECTIONS

Design Sound Productions of Chatham ON and Bargain Basement Productions of North Hollywood CA, co-produce Radio Mystery for THE RADIO WORKS in New York.

CHATHAM, November 05, 2001: THE VORTEX - A Cliff Weller Mystery may take us to the dark underground of the big city but this Radio Drama was conceived right here in quiet rural Chatham-Kent. Design Sound Productions along with Bargain Basement Productions are pleased to announce that the pilot episode of The Vortex - A Cliff Weller Mystery has been accepted by The Radio Works for broadcast on their seventy member stations across the US and Australia.

"The main characters were recorded in North Hollywood" said David Farquhar of Design Sound Productions, "but the supporting roles were recorded right here in Chatham."

The Vortex is the first installment of a Cliff Weller Mystery about a Private Investigator and his life on the mean streets of the big city. Gregg Rainwater of television fame played the part of Cliff Weller. Rainwater's credits include the ABC television western The Young Riders, Walker-Texas Ranger and Days of Our Lives.

Jackie Lobland played the part of Rita Poirier, Weller's beautiful but troubled client. Lobland has studied acting with such Broadway legends as Jose Quintero and film star Burt Reynolds. Lobland's acting credits are diverse as her talents and include A Christmas Carol and the original stage production of the rock opera Prince of Darkness.

"We were thrilled to have talent like Rainwater and Lobland join our production," said Farquhar "Their audition tapes blew us away."

But Hollywood is not the only place for high quality talent. The Vortex included local Canadian actors Noelle Dupuis of Wallaceburg, Bob Steele of Windsor and Norm McLeod and Pat Gough of Chatham.

David Farquhar of Design Sound Productions was responsible for recording the supporting actors along with the sound design and all post production work.

The Radio Works is an international radio program based out of New York and is headed up by award winning Executive Producer, Sue Zizza. It is a venue to showcase the talents of established as well as up and coming radio dramatists, writers, actors, directors and producers. Sue also teaches communications at New York University in New York city.

Two further episodes of the Vortex are planned.