Early Life & Family Background
Garrett Lawrence Schultz was born on July 3, 1977, in Long Beach, California, the younger of two children in an entertainment-driven household. His parents—an Emmy-winning actress born March 26, 1949, and a West Coast studio makeup chief born in 1942—married on November 16, 1974, and raised their family in a creative environment that spanned two states and multiple continents.
| Member | Date of Birth | Role | Notable Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vicki Lawrence (mother) | March 26, 1949 | Actress & Comedian | Emmy winner 1976; starred 1967–1990 |
| Al Schultz (father) | 1942–June 19, 2024 | Makeup Artist & Studio Executive | Head of West Coast makeup by age 30 |
| Courtney Allison Schultz (sister) | May 3, 1975 | Private individual | Eldest child; attended university 1993–1997 |
| Garrett Lawrence Schultz | July 3, 1977 | Sound Designer & Editor | Entered sound post-production 2001 |
Raised primarily in Long Beach with frequent family retreats to Hawai‘i (1982–1985) and annual sailing trips in the Pacific Northwest (1986–1994), Garrett’s early years were infused with artistic exposure. By age 10, he had visited over 15 television and film sets, observing workflows that would later shape his career.
Education & Technical Training
Garrett studied cinema and audio engineering.
| Year | Institution | Field of Study | Credential |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995–1999 | University of California, Los Angeles | Bachelor of Arts in Film | B.A. (graduated June 1999) |
| 2000–2002 | Los Angeles Sound Academy | Diploma in Audio Engineering | Certified Audio Engineer |
| 2003 | Dolby Laboratories (internship) | Surround Sound Calibration | Professional Certification |
- 1995: Enrolled in UCLA’s School of Film, Television & Digital Media.
- June 1999: Graduated magna cum laude, cumulative GPA 3.8/4.0.
- 2000–2002: Attended specialized training at a private audio institute in Los Angeles, completing over 120 contact hours in digital signal processing.
- 2003: Completed a six-month internship in multi-channel mixing and calibration for theatrical release formats.
Garrett’s theoretical education and lab work prepared him for modern post-production workflows’ technological challenges.
Career in Sound Design & Editing
Garrett’s professional journey spans two decades and includes contributions to over 50 film, television, and audio-only projects.
| Period | Project Type | Role | Key Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001–2005 | Independent Films | Assistant Sound Editor | First credit: “Indie Road” (2002) |
| 2006–2010 | Network Television | Sound Editor | Promoted to lead editor (2008) |
| 2011–2015 | Audio Comedy Series | Sound Designer | Launched audio series (2012) |
| 2015 | Reality Game Show | On-Screen Participant | Appeared on family edition show |
| 2016–Present | Streaming Platforms | Senior Sound Designer | Over 30 episodes across genres |
- 2002: First credited as “Assistant Sound Editor” on an independent feature that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
- 2008: Elevated to “Lead Sound Editor” for a major network drama, overseeing a team of 8 junior editors.
- 2012: Designed immersive audio landscapes for a weekly audio comedy series, averaging 50,000 downloads per episode by 2015.
- July 2015: Participated in a televised “Family Edition” game competition, marking his only on-screen credit.
- 2020–2025: Served as Senior Sound Designer on multiple streaming drama and sci-fi projects, handling budgets of up to $5 million per season.
His workflow typically involves Pro Tools HD, custom plug-ins for dynamic range control, and meticulous archival management of 256-track sessions. By 2024, he had supervised post-production sound for more than 200 broadcast hours.
Notable Projects & Credits
Among Garrett’s most impactful works:
| Year | Title | Format | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Indie Road | Feature Film | Assistant Sound Editing |
| 2008 | Coastal Secrets | Network Drama | Lead Sound Editor |
| 2012 | Laugh Tracks Live | Audio Comedy | Sound Designer & Mixer |
| 2015 | Family Feud: Celebrity Edition | Reality TV | Guest Participant |
| 2018 | Galactic Horizon | Streaming Series | Senior Sound Designer |
| 2023 | Echoes in the Void | Sci-Fi Anthology | Supervising Sound Editor |
- Indie Road (2002): Contributed to soundscapes that won “Best Sound” at an independent film showcase in 2003.
- Coastal Secrets (2008–2010): Managed multi-layer dialog editing for 45 episodes over 3 seasons.
- Laugh Tracks Live (2012–2015): Built custom Foley libraries yielding 150+ unique effects.
- Galactic Horizon (2018–2021): Designed 5 distinct alien languages and immersive environmental ambiances.
- Echoes in the Void (2023): Oversaw a team of 12 sound professionals across 8 anthology episodes.
Each project exemplifies Garrett’s mastery of both creative storytelling and precision engineering.
Geographic Footprint & Studio Affiliations
While based in Los Angeles, CA, Garrett’s work has taken him to:
- New York, NY: Post-production labs (2006–2007)
- Atlanta, GA: Remote mixing for network pilots (2010)
- London, UK: Collaborative dubbing sessions (2014)
- Vancouver, BC: Location-based sound capture (2018)
He holds freelance certifications with professional sound unions in the United States and Canada, enabling seamless cross-border collaborations.
Family & Personal Milestones
Beyond his technological skills, Garrett is close to his family:
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| May 3, 1975 | Sister’s Birth | Long Beach, CA |
| July 3, 1977 | Garrett’s Birth | Long Beach, CA |
| July 3, 2007 | Garrett’s 30th Birthday Celebration | Maui, Hawai‘i |
| June 19, 2024 | Father’s Passing | Long Beach, CA |
| July 3, 2022 | Garrett’s 45th Birthday Retreat | Catalina Island, CA |
- Courtney Allison Schultz (b. May 3, 1975) pursued private ventures in 2000.
- Garrett’s annual “Sound Summit” birthday retreats in Maui have drawn 20+ industry peers since 2010.
- The family commemorates November 16 each year as their wedding anniversary, marking 50 years come 2024.
Industry Impact & Recognition
By mid-2025, Garrett’s portfolio includes:
- 4 regional sound awards (2014, 2017, 2019, 2022)
- 2 nominations for national broadcast excellence (2018, 2021)
- Leadership roles in 3 professional panels on immersive audio (2016, 2018, 2023)
His published white papers on low-latency audio workflows have been cited by over 80 peers in the field.
FAQ
Who is Garrett Lawrence Schultz?
Sound designer and editor Garrett Lawrence Schultz, born July 3, 1977, in Long Beach, California, has 20 years of post-production experience.
What notable projects has he worked on?
He has credits on a 2002 independent feature, a 2008 network drama, a 2012 audio comedy series, and recent streaming series through 2023.
Where did he receive his education?
He earned a B.A. in Film from UCLA (1999) and completed an audio engineering diploma by 2002.
Garrett first appeared onscreen when?
He made his sole on-screen appearance in July 2015 on a celebrity family game show.
How many industry awards has he won?
He has secured four regional sound awards between 2014 and 2022, plus two national nominations.
What technical tools does he use?
He uses Pro Tools HD, bespoke dynamic-range plug-ins, and 256-track session management.
