Hello Stage 32 community, I hope your days are long, and nights are pleasant. I wanted to share this article from sound veteran Jerry Ross. It's fairly parenthetical to all things related to working in the film industry past, and present. There were a few things that stood out to me, and one being about maintaining a long relationship with "clients" namely directors, film editors, producers, etc. This is such a vital aspect of maintaining a career in this industry, so simply just following up with past clients is important, but also making sure you make a strong impression within the collaboration, and delivered product. Maintaining clients is natural, and organic, so treating their creative product as your own will definitely help you maintain a strong, and long relationship.
Jerry pointed out how most films today are no longer "stylish" and I can agree on this wholeheartedly. He's worked on many films that flopped, but also worked on Apocalypse Now, Big, The Walking Dead, and Billy Madison just to name a few. With his experience over the years, he has learned that breaching the parameters of the norm, and stop grabbing from libraries, and create your own sounds. For example, the bullets whizzing SFX in Saving Private Ryan was from a fly fishing reel that was used at the lake at Skywalker ranch. This is thinking in the abstract, and being creative. Star Wars is a nice example of this, specifically the laser sound effects being a slinky that was tapped over and over again, and recorded. Sometimes it's it is planned, and sometimes it is a lucky accident. Creating these abstract ideas with develop a "style" of your own. Interestingly enough, I learned this from watching/listening to David Lynch's films, and his TV series Twin Peaks.
Learn from the masters of the abstract! Check out this article, and feel free to post what stood out to you.
-K
https://www.asoundeffect.com/jerry-ross-sound-business/
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Sam Chambliss, Any bit of insight is incredibly helpful, my friend! This is good stuff to know.
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Hey Kawan...so what made you think about editors in relation to writing? I started as an editor and after a few features moved to writing and directing. So I'm very familiar with both sides. And like...
Expand commentHey Kawan...so what made you think about editors in relation to writing? I started as an editor and after a few features moved to writing and directing. So I'm very familiar with both sides. And like Sam said, there's not a lot a writer really gets to do in this regard. However, your thoughts would be interesting.
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Kyler Boudreau We writers sit in the dark at our desks, hand the script off, and then frown when our EXACT vision isn't realized. A clearer understanding of every part of the process will improve the...
Expand commentKyler Boudreau We writers sit in the dark at our desks, hand the script off, and then frown when our EXACT vision isn't realized. A clearer understanding of every part of the process will improve the storytelling. I now know how collaborative the filmmaking process is, and even though there typically isn't much we can do, I still think it's valuable to get every perspective to have a well-rounded film. Does that make sense?
Oh okay...yeah, that makes complete sense. So IMHO if you want more control of the end result you either need to be a writer/director duo, or be very closely involved with the director. Because the na...
Expand commentOh okay...yeah, that makes complete sense. So IMHO if you want more control of the end result you either need to be a writer/director duo, or be very closely involved with the director. Because the nature of film (right or wrong) is that once you deliver the script, you're out. Unless you have some type of abnormal industry weight. For example, even Tony Scott said that the actual film (that he directed) of Shane Black's "The Last Boy Scout" didn't do the script justice. And oddly now...look at one Shane Black is doing -- Writing AND directing. Yeah, a film is heavily influenced in editorial, but it's still the director guiding that vision. That's my two cents.
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Kyler Boudreau good points. @Kawan, something that might help you bridge some gaps, or at least help the communication would be to make some Mood Boards of your own to share along with the script. Tha...
Expand commentKyler Boudreau good points. @Kawan, something that might help you bridge some gaps, or at least help the communication would be to make some Mood Boards of your own to share along with the script. That kind of gets into the realm of stepping on the director's toes, but if you have a good report with people, that could be a good way to help convey what kind of look you have in mind and better describe your vision. Just some thoughts.