Calgary's Six Degrees Studio thrives after learning lesson from last bust

"Alberta's economy is cyclical."

"We've been here before."

We hear these comments all the time butwhat's the lesson at the end of the day?

That's the question that got Dan McManus thinking differentlyduring the last bust.

"I think in 2008 we just learned we were so Calgary-centric in terms of our client base," he said."We became concerned withhow can we not feel the effects of this?" said the owner of Six Degrees Studio.

At the time, McManusestimates his music and sound production company took a 20percent hit.

But instead of downsizing,Six Degrees Studiocast its net across the world reelingin internationalclients suchasESPN, Red Bull andBBDO, a worldwide marketing agency.

Now the company isgrowing atarate of five to 10 per cent ayear.

Global expansion

A quick scroll through the company's online reel reveals an impressive recent body of work.

There's the Emmy-nominated music for a FIFA World Cup video, sound effects for the upcoming video game Paragonanda series of catchy tunes for Tourism Alberta.

"I love that we can get work in Calgary," said McManus, who founded the company with a partner almost 20 years ago.

"Sometimes when we're talking to somebody and they're like, 'Where are you based?' And we're like, 'We're in in Calgary!' It's such a compliment."

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More companies need to diversify

Films such asThe Revenant may have been shot in Alberta, but all the editing, colour correction, sound effects and graphics were done elsewhere.

"I'd love to see a way for those jobs to stay here in Alberta," said McManus.

At a time whendiversificationhas become a buzzword among politicians,McManuswould like to see the Albertagovernment offer incentives for the post-production industry.

"If they do, that'd be a huge growth opportunity for skilled workers in this province because it would involve a lot of what we call brick and mortarwork where you're dealing with a lot of manpower and labour."

Venturing into more post-production work could be risky. But taking risks was what saved McManus during the last economic downturn.

And it's thefear of being left behind thatdrives the veteran voice director forward.

"I'm always a little bit afraid or paranoid that we're somehow missing the mark," said McManus.

"So I feel like we're always pushing here. I think if you are starting a business you have to push. You always have to be thinking of what's the next thingthat you have to be."

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