"Monster's vs. Aliens" went to war in theaters March 27th. Though, on screen Dreamworks Animation introduced audiences to a new cast of characters, behind the scenes boasted a familiar band of sound craftsmen. Following their work on last year's "Kung Fu Panda", re-recording mixers and Dreamworks Animation darlings Andy Nelson and Anna Behlmer once again rolled their chairs up … [Read more...]
Exclusive Interview with Scott Hecker, Supervising Sound Editor on "Watchmen"
It was ambitious adapting "Watchmen", the most celebrated graphic novel of all time for the screen. Fortunately, Director Zach Snyder wanted to be as faithful to the source as to his film crew hiring many of the same sound folk he had on his previous hit, "300". Mixed at Universal studios in the Hitchcock Theater, re-recording mixers Chris Jenkins and Frank A. Montaño handled … [Read more...]
MPSE Sound Show 2008
Continuing an unhealthy obsession with all things Batman, I am happy to announce the Motion Picture Sound Editor's annual event at the Eygptian Theater in Los Angeles will be focusing on "The Dark Knight". Below is a press release from the MPSE and check back this week for my final interview from the film with "ambient music designer" Mel Wesson! THE DARK KNIGHT: The Sound … [Read more...]
Exclusive Interview with Wylie Stateman, Supervising Sound Editor of “Wanted”
While "Wanted" seemed a little too much like gun porn with not much else, I was amazed by it's soundtrack. as I walked out of the theater I knew I had to get someone to discuss some sound conventions that caused said amazement. Most notably the playfulness between music and sound effects. Luckily, I got a hold of veteran Sound Supervisor Wylie Stateman for a quick phone … [Read more...]
Exclusive Interview with Erik Aadahl and Ethan Van Der Ryn, Sound Supervisors on Kung Fu Panda
"Kung Fu Panda" kee-yahed its way into theaters June 6th. Sound supervisors Ethan Van Der Ryn and Erik Aadahl achieved the very definition of "Kung Fu" (achievement through great effort) in their sound editorial. Both from "Transformers" fame, "Panda" marks seasoned sound designer Aadahl's first "supervising sound editor" credit for a feature film. Mixing took place at Fox … [Read more...]
Exclusive Interview with “Ben Burtt” on the Sound Design of “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”
Ben Burtt has one of the best answers to the my favorite reoccurring question, "What was your first gig like?" After graduating from USC with a masters in film production, he was hired to record some sounds for this sci-fi movie fellow USC alum George Lucas was putting together. Some 30 years later, Burtt is credited with designing the most memorable sounds for some of the most … [Read more...]
“The Orphanage” – Exclusive Interview with Sound Designer Oriol Tarragó
“The Orphanage” has been haunting U.S. theaters since Dec 29th. The second highest opening in Spanish film history, it is director Juan Antonio Bayona's first feature. Helping the film scare the living daylights out of me was sound designer Oriol Tarragó. Tarragó also designed on last year's Spanish horror film, “REC”. Much in the same vein as last week's “Cloverfield”, “REC” … [Read more...]