Establishing your own production house requires a lot of hard work, courage and resources. It really takes a village. And when it comes to business, it is always about taking risks, overcoming challenges and adapting to the fast-changing world.
In our pursuit of giving the spotlight to talented individuals and teams in the creative industry, The Film Dream proudly launches a series of stories featuring companies, start-up production houses, and film outfits.
Together, let us discover these passionate people and who knows, we can collaborate or work with them in the future.
MEET SD2 STUDIOS.
Founded by seasoned music composers Alfredo “Doy” Ongleo, together with Fred Ferraz, and sound engineer Aeneid Pajo, “SD2 Studios” came to life. Leaning on their hope of bringing quality sound to films, commercials and jingles among other projects, these trio made their dream happen by creating their own studio.
It all started with a vision. Back then, Doy and Fred were classmates in a workshop at ABS-CBN for music composition and they suddenly realized why not establish their own. Doy has a wide experience on film and dubbing while Fred is well-adept in composing and arranging music. They knew right there and then that they would also need a sound engineer, thus Aeneid takes that rightful spot.
The name “SD2 Studios” came at the right time and at the right place. Since they are all Apple Mac users and they also cater with Sound Designer 2, they decided to use “SD2”, the shortcut for Sound Designer 2.
From there on, they started looking for a place where they could build and set up and luckily, they found an old house at Scout Limbaga where their dream started to materialize.
GETTING STARTED
From the Christmas station ID of ABS-CBN to the DZMM musical scoring, jingle for commercials and film dubbing, “SD2 Studios” made a remarkable name in the industry. In fact, the music composition and mixing of Chito Rono’s film “Sukob” was done in their studio as well as Richard Arellano’s “Umaaraw, Umuulan”. Not to mention the dubbing of Dado Lumibao’s first film for Cinemalaya.
But wait, there’s a lot more! “SD2 Studios” has been a home for a lot of Kapamilya and Kapuso stars where they usually dubbed their iconic lines in their films and recorded their hit singles.
The likes of Maja Salvador, Jason Abalos, Yeng Constatino, Kim Chui, Eula Valdez, Herbert Bautista, Henry Omaga Diaz, Sarah Geronimo, Winnie Cordero, Kim Atienza, Jennylyn Mercado, Boy Abunda, Gary Valenciano, Eddie Garcia, Meg Imperial, and Barbie Forteza once recorded and dubbed at “SD2 Studios.” Star-studded indeed!
What we admire even more about “SD2 Studios” is they also trained deserving and aspiring composers who wanted to learn and sharpen their skills. Purposeful!
TAKING RISKS
If it happens that you’re eyeing to establish your own studio, Doy Ongleo, one of the founders of “SD2 Studios” shared a helpful piece of advice.
“Sa una syempre, bago kayo sa industriya so pwede simulan niyo muna sa pagma-market sa mga kaibigan niyo. Kagaya namin, sa dubbing at recording industry una naming sinabihan ang mga kakilala muna namin. Unti-unti nakikilala. Hanggang ‘yung ibang teleserye. napupunta na sa amin. Meron sa 7, meron din sa Channel 5 ipinapalabas,” Ongleo shared with The Film Dream.
When it comes to acquiring equipment for a newly-established production house or studio, Doy also junctured to do intensive research.
“May mga wrong moves din kami noon na bibili ng ganito ganyan tapos di naman nagagamit so sayang lang. Ano ba talaga kailangan? Hindi dapat upgrade ka nang upgrade. Pag-aralan kung paano ma-utilize ang gamit mo at mag-improve ang creativity.
“Bago bumili, isiping mabuti. Baka nadadala ka lang sa advertisements bago ka bumili ng equipment. Isa pa, baka di yun ang kailangan mo sa projects. Magtanong-tanong rin. Ano ba ang gagawin mo?”
He also reiterated that when it comes to starting your own studio, you have to take time and continue learning.
“Kailangan lagi ka nag-aaral ng bago kasi everyday nagbabago. Maraming lumalabas na trend, gadgets, equipment. So dapat kasabay ka sa agos, ‘wag kang papahuli.”
COLLABORATE WITH THEM
At present, “SD2 Studios” offers recording, dubbing, music composition, sound design, foley, scoring, and voice recording in their studio now located at Unit 201 Heart of the City Condominium, #40 Sgt Esguerra Avenue Quezon City. If you wish to work with their talented creatives, you may contact Doy Ongleo at 0917 828 2667.
They also have a pool of singers, composers, music arrangers, and voice over talents whom you can tap for your special projects. Rest assured that you will have a great time collaborating with them.
Are you ready to meet the creative world? If you are a newly-established group of creative individuals on the field producing media for events, television, music, videos, films, or some if not all of those, then, hello! We are looking for you. Allow us to share your story. Send us an email at storytellers@thefilmdream.com.