Eleven Names Melissa Elston New Executive Producer; Unveils Studio Renovations & Upgrades

Eleven’s Founder/Mixer/Sound Designer Jeff Payne has once again promoted from within his talented audio post company, naming Melissa Elston as the team’s new Executive Producer. Payne also unveils a series of renovations and upgrades for the downstairs mixing studios at Eleven for Mixers/Sound Designers Ben Freer and Mike Franklin, as well as a newly renovated kitchen and lounge area.

“Over the past six months, we’ve implemented many substantial technical upgrades and improvements at Eleven to enhance the client experience,” notes Jeff Payne. “Both Studio A and B’s audio systems have been upgraded to match Studio C and D’s systems with Avid S6 consoles, Pro Tools HDX systems running Pro Tools 12HD, all utilizing audio over Ethernet Red Net Bridges using BSS monitoring hardware controlled by Crestron touch panels. It’s truly state-of-the-art technology allowing our Mixers to focus on the creative aspect of what we do within a totally integrated facility workflow. In addition, we’ve designed and constructed a new kitchen and lounge that reflects my passion and love of design. It’s not only beautiful, but very functional for our clients. As we head further into 2017, I could not be more thrilled to share these improvements with our growing list of advertising clients, as well as our expanding list of clients in television, film and new media.”

Eleven’s new Executive Producer Melissa Elston is a Santa Monica native. She joined the Eleven team in 2015 following her tenure producing private events with the City of Santa Monica and the California Yacht Club. Her experience in event sales and coordination combined with her M.A. in Counseling give her the oh-so-harmonious balance needed for the Executive Producer position. Her philosophy is to turn every session into a unique and creative experience.

“What an exciting time to be at Eleven!” says Elston. “I’m thrilled and honored to step into the Executive Producer position joined by the most top-notch and sought-after audio talent in postproduction. I’m so lucky to have such an amazing team along with the best clients in the biz. Audio veteran Jeff Payne has paved the way for our Senior Mixers Mike Franklin and Ben Freer. These guys are the real deal, and definitely a force to be reckoned with. Jeff has also passed the baton to our up-and-coming talent, AJ Murillo and Jordan Meltzer. These two are the ones to watch! All of the Mixers here at Eleven are homegrown. They’ve been trained by the best and are masters of their craft. They have a unique skill set which includes precision, speed, and versatility.”

Elston notes that Eleven is the premiere boutique audio facility known for creating some of the best mixes for some of the most iconic spots throughout ad history. “We’ve recently completed a full studio renovation including a brand-new kitchen, lounge and communal workspace. Now, our casual industrial vibe mirrors our smooth operations and our business model of being a well-oiled machine. The new renovations embody the spirit of our organic nature and authentic soul. Eleven has a long-standing history in the advertising world. In recent years, we’ve expanded our repertoire to include short and feature films, Virtual Reality, gaming, web series and digital platforms. In 2017, we plan to take full-service to the next level. Looking ahead, I can’t wait to share all that we have planned.”

Under Payne and Elston’s leadership, they are revitalizing the uber-popular “Live at Eleven” music series, implementing “Third Thursday’s” (a monthly networking happy hour) and unveiling the studio’s new digs at a party this Spring.

Having just completed seven Super Bowl 2017 spots, the H&R Block campaign featuring Jon Hamm, and the Nike “Equality” spot which broke during the recent Grammy Awards; the Eleven team are in the midst of a series of new projects releasing soon including: SoCal Honda, Dodge, Chobani, Almond Breeze, Zillow, Intel and Acura for Mixer/Sound Designer Jeff Payne; Hyundai and Microsoft for Mixer/Sound Designer Mike Franklin; Miller Lite, Bayer and Toyota for Mixer/Sound Designer Ben Freer; and an Edmunds Virtual Reality project, “Everything Beautiful is Far Away” feature film, and radio spots for the Hollywood Bowl for Mixer/Sound Designer AJ Murillo.

About Eleven:
Eleven is a boutique, audio postproduction studio in the heart of Santa Monica, California, designed to serve the advertising community. Revered by top advertising agencies and editorial shops for its commitment to creativity and client service, Eleven has a long standing reputation as an industry leader in sound mixing for commercials and media. Eleven’s clients are drawn not only to the unparalleled talent of its Mixers, staff and technology, but also to the culture and intimate vibe that the atmosphere of the studios and facilities provide. Reflecting the humor of its Founder/Mixer Jeff Payne, Eleven was named as an homage to “Spinal Tap.” (Not familiar? Do a little research).