Have you heard the one about the former East Neuk man who found success in Hollywood?
Originally from Crail, former Waid Academy pupil Stuart McCowan (42) has worked as a soundmanon a host of blockbusters including Avatar, Finding Nemo and the forthcoming Jurassic World after landing a job at George Lucas’ Skywalker Ranch.
Stuart began his career on Radio Scotland making traffic and weather announcments but left for a radio job in the US in the 1990s.
He was then taken on as intern at Skywalker Ranch and has now helped provide the sound for over 70 projects.
As well as movies, he worked on Sherlock and was part of the team that won an Emmy for their efforts.
He told The Sun: “If you were to put out a movie that just had the prouction sound on it – what was actually recorded on set – it would sound crap.
“With no cleaning up, you get squeaky floorboards, aeroplanes going over the top or the director shouting during scenes.”
Stuart had held a number of production roles including additional dialogue recording editor, which is where actors redub their lines after recording.
He said: “I have some hilarious outtakes with Billy Connolly and, yes, it might have some swear words on it. But how can you go wrong with Billy Connolly?”
Stuart is also scheduled to work on the new Star Wars film, The Force Awakens, which will be released in December.
But he said his favourite work so far has been on James Cameron’s Avatar.
“It’s the best experience I have ever had. We felt like we were doing something unique and special,” he said.