First, some confessions: I am a sound designer, I have never worked on a Broadway production, and therefore, never expected to win a Tony Award (let alone be a part of a discussion of this nature). I may not be an “insider” of the theatre world, but the decision earlier this month to stop presenting Tony Awards for sound design (of a play and also of a musical) deems a … [Read more...]
On the Tony Awards
Guest Contribution from Randy Thom It was announced that the people who run the Tony Awards have decided to cut two of their awards categories….the two sound design categories. This is a sad piece of news for all of us in sound. It's yet another slap in the face for an important art form that struggles for recognition. The people who run awards shows feel constant … [Read more...]
The Details That Matter
Guest Contribution by Randy Thom When someone tells me that they admire the sound design work my team has done on a project they often go on to say that what they like most is the little sonic details we've covered in a given scene, like the sound of an object being picked up by a character in the background of a shot. I thank them for the compliment, but I'm usually left with … [Read more...]
How About a Sound Ideaboard/Storyboard?
Guest Contribution by Randy Thom During pre-production on a film it's common practice to gather lots and lots of still photographic images, and video as well, that might relate to the story. The stills are often displayed on walls for everyone preparing the film to see and talk about. It's basically an "idea board." The purpose of gathering these images is to stimulate … [Read more...]
Creating a Unified Voice
This article is not what I originally intended. I started it, nearly completed it and then decided to rewrite it from a different angle. It’s core subject remains intact, speaking to our collaborators…the people who hire us to make their pieces of media “sound good.” Whether we work in film, television, games, mobile applications, interactive art installations or any other … [Read more...]
The Carpetbagger Blog Talks to Steve Boeddeker and Randy Thom
The Carpetbagger, a New York Times blog dedicated to the film awards season we are now in the flush of, has spoken to Steve Boeddeker and Randy Thom at Skywalker Sound. “Before there was a here here, I was here,” said Randy Thom, the director of sound design at Skywalker Sound, part of George Lucas’s Skywalker Ranch complex outside of San Francisco. “It used to be called … [Read more...]
Charles Maynes’ On What Makes For Great Sound Design
Sound designer and recordist Charles Mayne has written a passionate and inspiring guest post for the A Sound Effect blog. He gives his thoughts on the key notions and ideas that affects sound design, and which have the greatest capacity to produce - in his words - great sound design. Check out the article here and contribute to the debate. … [Read more...]