Chris Manning ('90, Journalism) is deeply passionate about the art of storytelling through sound. His career has involved performing at Wembley Stadium, creating immersive soundscapes for iconic scenes like “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and “Guardians of the Galaxy,” and recording Santana’s 1999 album “Supernatural.”

“Whether I’m telling the movie story with sound or whether I’m telling a story through a musical recording, it’s all about shaping and designing the quality of sound you want and how it resonates emotionally with you. I use lots of sound tools like equalizers, compressors, delays, or reverbs to give a scene or song a sense of space, a sense of setting, and meaning. It's my favorite thing to do because it allows me to be the most creative I can be. And, if I do a good job, I can really bring a lot of life, vibe, and emotion out of those performances and help tell the story,” Manning says. 

The sense of community, the depth of friendships, and the beauty of nature at Cal Poly Humboldt all shaped the person he is today. Manning cherishes the deep and genuine connections he formed, including meeting his wife Dyer Passano-Manning ('91, Psychology). Humboldt empowered him to thrive and develop into finding his authentic self and nurturing an atmosphere of sincerity that comes through his sound work today. 

Chris also valued the presence of healthy, uplifting competition in both academic and social contexts at Humboldt. “Humboldt was the best choice ever. Every time I wasn’t in class, I was immersed in nature—fishing, hiking, camping. The people were real and encouraging, and the friendships I made were deep and meaningful. The connection to the land and people really shaped who I am today,” he says.

One of his most impactful classes was Native American Studies with Jack Norton, which introduced him to local tribes and their deep-rooted ecological knowledge. 

“It opened my eyes to a truth I hadn’t been taught growing up,” Manning says. He remains an advocate for Indigenous-led environmental efforts, having recently worked on a film about Native tribes restoring buffalo herds in Montana and an environmental documentary about salmon restoration on the Klamath River, a subject close to his heart due to his time spent fishing and learning from local fisheries students at Humboldt.

Manning was also deeply influenced by creative writing and poetry courses taught by Judith Minty as well as river restoration projects led by Fisheries professor Terry Roelofs.

“They went above and beyond, giving me opportunities that encouraged and supported my professional and personal growth,” he says. But it was his experience as a musician playing the bass in local bands where Manning quickly found his passion for sound engineering and music production. 

“I took a different path after graduation,” he says. “Music became my career, and it all started in Arcata’s supportive and eclectic music community.”

After graduating, Manning pursued a career as a musician, touring with bands across the U.S. and Europe, and even making appearances on MTV. Later, he became a sound recording and mixing engineer at The Plant and Fantasy Studios. Eventually, he transitioned into the world of film and began working at Skywalker Sound where he currently applies his audio expertise to post-production and sound design. Recently, he’s worked on major projects like Marvel’s TV series “ECHO”, Disney’s live-action “Mulan”, and “Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny” focusing on Foley sound—recording real-world sounds that bring characters and scenes to life. Manning's career now spans over 35 years.

For Manning, Humboldt was more than just a university—it was a place that nurtured authenticity and creativity. Today, he continues to draw inspiration from the natural world and the lessons he learned at Humboldt, blending his love for sound and storytelling. You can learn more about what Chris has accomplished after graduating from Cal Poly Humboldt at www.salamandersound.com

Photo: Chris Manning inside a sound booth. He's passionate about creating and mixing sounds to tell a compelling story.