Available to watch on Apple’s YouTube channel is Behind the Mac: Skywalker Sound. This mini-documentary released today in honour of Star Wars Day goes behind the scenes in what goes on in at this studio. We see more than how some of those magical sounds are made. We get insights into an aspect of the movie-making process that makes the filimed footage come alive.
Additionally, we see the technology used to fine tune the raw vibrations to what audiences hear in that film! Some of it may seem surprisingly low tech, but for the high, it’s no surprise Apples are used. Logic Pro is the software of choice at this studio. And from what I can notice, the servers look like they’re Apple G5s!
This video is a terrific watch to see how sound and image all gets put together. It may even perhaps inspire those who want to work in the movie-making industry to take up a position as a foley artist. Although some may argue Skywalker Sound desire to be fully digital will kill this position (please read my review of Actors of Sound here), I think this profession will be always be around in one form or another. Behind the Mac: Skywalker Sound nicely tells us why we need people who take ‘psycho acoustics’ seriously. They are the folks who’ll be out there in the natural and synthetic environment to record the next big thing. Who knows, maybe that sonic boom will be put in the next movie we’re about to see on the big screen.
Skywalker Sound Documentary:
By Ed Sum
By Ed Sum