In memory of Cole Gittinger
da...@studiox.com
killed in an
car accident near his home in Taos New Mexico. He was a unique and one
of
a kind friend and brother. I will miss him greatly and will be forever
indebted to
him for his devotion to me and his profession. He started in the
business as a PA
when a film called "Off the Map" landed in Taos. He was well liked by
everyone
and was hired by the 1st AD on her next several shows. But he had the
film fever
and wanted to be more involved and closer to the action. He had a
background
in audio being a bass player and having an encyclopedic knowledge of
Jazz.
He and his friend Jeff Kundsen worked on some low buds and some
reality TV
in LA. When he returned to New Mexico he was determined to get on a
sound crew and start a career. Luckily his timing couldn't be better.
NM was just
beginning the Production Incentive Program and offered to pay half a
new crew
members salary if they could get hired on a show. Cole had called me
many times about
getting a chance to work with me and I tried as well as I could to
dissuade him.
We all know how many people want to work in sound (it looks so easy!).
But he kept
coming in a steady and determined way. I was offered a 500k low bud
and saw
an opportunity to hire him and see if he could handle it. To say the
least it worked out.
He had a great temperament, good attitude, physical strength,
coordination, focused attention
and initiative. Besides booming for me, we worked on several shows
with mixer
Billy Sarokin, me booming, and Cole on utility. He always had my
back.
He also worked with Peter Kurland and John Pritchett. We are half way
through
are biggest production together and it will be pretty difficult to
carry on with out him.
In his honor I would like to say "Sound is Ready"
With Respect
David Brownlow
Sergio Sanmiguel
I'm sorry to hear about this. My hart & prayers goes to Cole's friends
and family...
Blessings,
SS
Brent Lestage
My deepest condolences.
--
B
victor....@gmail.com
> Last nightColeGittingermy Boom Man of the last five years was
> killed in an
> car accident near his home in Taos New Mexico. He was a unique and one
> of
> a kind friend and brother. I will miss him greatly and will be forever
> indebted to
> him for his devotion to me and his profession. He started in the
> business as a PA
> when a film called "Off the Map" landed in Taos. He was well liked by
> everyone
> and was hired by the 1st AD on her next several shows. But he had the
> film fever
> and wanted to be more involved and closer to the action. He had a
> background
> in audio being a bass player and having an encyclopedic knowledge of
> Jazz.
> He and his friend Jeff Kundsen worked on some low buds and some
> reality TV
> in LA. When he returned to New Mexico he was determined to get on a
> sound crew and start a career. Luckily his timing couldn't be better.
> NM was just
> beginning the Production Incentive Program and offered to pay half a
> new crew
> many times about
> getting a chance to work with me and I tried as well as I could to
> dissuade him.
> We all know how many people want to work in sound (it looks so easy!).
> But he kept
> coming in a steady and determined way. I was offered a 500k low bud
> and saw
> an opportunity to hire him and see if he could handle it. To say the
> least it worked out.
> He had a great temperament, good attitude, physical strength,
> coordination, focused attention
> and initiative. Besides booming for me, we worked on several shows
> with mixer
> back.
> He also worked with Peter Kurland and John Pritchett. We are half way
> through
> are biggest production together and it will be pretty difficult to
> carry on with out him.
> In his honor I would like to say "Sound is Ready"
> With Respect
> David Brownlow
Hey David,
I'm an old friend of his in Atlanta and am trying to help find his
Sisters to let them know. Are there any information or resources you
have to help?
Thanks, Victor Grimaldi 678-776-0402 victor....@gmail.com
Ray M. Owen
I too am sorry to hear the news.
May God bless his soul.
Ray
Jan McLaughlin
Terrible, terrible news indeed. My heart goes out to you, his
colleagues, family & friends.
Jan
william...@gmail.com
My thanks go to David for posting a beautiful memorial to Cole. I was
too broken up last night when I heard the news. To those who didn't
know him, Cole was one of a kind. He lived more in his 36 years than
most f us put together. I can't believe he's gone. I first met Cole
when he was a PA on 'Off the Map'. A year later I got the film 'North
Country' (originally offered to David, but he had to pass) and I was
trying to find a crew in NM. I had heard through the grapevine that
Cole had gotten into sound and was working in LA on reality TV. He
had such a great vibe about him that I knew he would be perfect even
though he was green. I walked into a diner thinking of how I would
find him. I kept thinking who I could call that would have his
number. As I sat down a voice said, 'Billy?'. It was Cole, sitting
at the next table.
It's going to be a hard day.
Billy
Peter Kurland
pleasure to work with Cole on No Country and he was a remarkable
person. I was telling someone a story about him just this week! I have
never met someone so willing to take on challenges and have new
adventures. I am so glad he had that attitude. You never know how long
life will be.
Peter Kurland
Rodney
and I are very upset...
as we shared a hug and as he is presently in our thoughts, I cant stop
thinking about his terriffic attitude and
remarkable lust for life, we worked together a number of times and
undoubtedly was on his way with a fine career
as a sound man. Cole was my friend and Ill miss him
tremendously......RG
Rodney
american...@hotmail.com
dmpi...@yahoo.com
>
> - Show quoted text -
I have been reading all the comments left regarding Cole and I am so
glad to hear that he was doing what he loved to do. As someone who
loved him and knew him (and married him) in the early days, it is
truly tragic that he is gone. I knew he would be successful in
whatever he chose to do. Mr. free spirit. Bruce - you mentioned in
another blog about his 'car' issues. I just had to laugh. He would
be very happy to see us laughing as we remembered him and his 'ways'.
Car issues was just one thing....boy did he have a gift. Jazz was one
of his likes, but the blues was his soul. For you old schoolers out
there Brian, Greg) that new him back when.. you know.. when he got
married... he lived off his blues music. He taught me how to fly
fish and always beat me at Jeopardy. We would take road trips where
the only rule was to NOT take a major road...what things we
discovered. Even though we went our separate ways - he was always in
my heart and I thought of him often. So glad to see posts from our
friends in ATL. Glad to know that you and Tim hooked up with him
Vic. He held his friends very close to his heart. He is with mom now
and had no need to miss her anymore. My thoughts and love to his
sisters You girls have always been his to 'take care of'. Keep in
touch. ~ Dana
G. John Garrett, CAS
RIP brother soundie.
jg
american...@hotmail.com
A few photos of Cole A. Gittinger have been posted at:
http://s456.photobucket.com/albums/qq290/mrbally/Cole%20A%20Gittinger/
chels...@yahoo.com
We Miss Him Already.
His Little Sister,
Chelsea Gittinger
american...@hotmail.com
>
> - Show quoted text -
If any friends or family have photos they want added to the album,
please email them to me and I will add them. If there are others in
the photo who you want identified, add a note to the email.
Thanks,
Bruce
CGittinger
http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv43/cgittinger/ColeDon.jpg
american...@hotmail.com
http://www.riverafuneralhome.com/sitemaker/sites/rivera0/obit.cgi?user=cole-gittinger
There is a Guestbook there as well.
Bruce
daveed...@gmail.com
before I interview him, the job was his to lose. It was clear that
everybody love him. When they mentioned his name I would see the
twinkle on their eyes. His (great) reputation precede him. The day
he came for the interview he has landed from Argentina that very same
day and came directly to the production office. I had meet with four
or five candidates that day and in about 2 minutes I knew he was the
guy and
told him so in a rather sudden and casual way, he acted surprise and I
explained to him "you basically needed to show up and don't try to
grab my ass within the first 30 seconds, go sleep and call me when
you wake up" he gave that coy smile he had.
The best part is that even with all the hype he came with, he managed
to over-deliver on it. He was a fantastic sound men; smart, focus,
professional, level headed.
A few moths after the movie was done I came to visit him in Taos,
stayed at his Earthship and got to experience his warmth and enjoy his
quite intelligent conversation to great lengths, we talked about his
kid, Jazz, music, life.
At the time I wanted to build a Earthship on the Caribbean and he
volunteered right there and them to fly down to the Caribbean next
week and "get to it". I think they call that "mindfulness" I felt
he was always very present on the moment.
I was looking forward to spend time with him again, I will really miss
him,
My deepest condolences his family and love one.
David Alvarez
http://s669.photobucket.com/albums/vv56/DaveedAlvarez/?action=view¤t=Boxingmatch.jpg
big...@verizon.net
I just arrived in Taos, heading out to his memorial gathering at the
KTAO radio station ampitheater. I'll take some pictures for those who
can't be here. Email me off group.
Billy
william...@gmail.com
gathering for Cole in Taos, NM last Saturday was a sad and beautiful
event. Friends and family came from all over the country. There was
even a contingent from Iceland (Iceland? Cole had only spent a week
there, but a week was all it took for Cole). The film industry was
well represented in person and via emailed comments. Campbell Scott,
Ed Harris, Denzel Washington and many others had statements read by
first AD Chemen Ochoa. I'm still receiving emails daily from friends
and colleagues who are just now hearing the news. Local 480 played a
role in helping make the gathering happen and KTAO, Taos' solar
powered radio station, provided the venue, a concert amphitheater
overlooking Taos Pueblo land and the high peaks of the Sangre de
Cristo range of the southern Rockies. lol, for an event full of sound
mixers, we were all too caught up in the emotion and no one recorded
it. Sometimes it's better like that.
Billy Sarokin
william...@gmail.com
Cole's honor has been set up at Kiva.org.
To join, go to:
http://www.kiva.org/team/coles_friends
Kiva is a group that arranges direct micro loans from lenders to
borrowers. I've been lending for a few years now and all the loans
I've made have been paid back and re-leant. It's a very cool
organization. 100% of what you lend goes to the borrower.
Best,
Billy Sarokin