Sony Pictures Post Production Services has completed a major upgrade of its Foley department, adding new, state-of-the-art recording technology to its control room and stage where sound effects for scores of studio features, including the current hit Spider-Man: Homecoming, have been produced.
Key additions include an Avid S6 M40 control surface, the most advanced recording and mixing console available. It is supported by an Avid Pro Tools HDX digital audio workstation and Pueblo microphone preamps, as well as processing gear, plug-ins and playback systems. The control room and stage have also been rewired and fitted with new speakers and microphones.
The upgrades allow the Foley team of Foley artist Gary Hecker and Foley mixer Randy Singer to work more efficiently and perform sophisticated editing and mixing functions. “The films we work on demand the highest quality in sound,” said Hecker. “This new technology ensures our ability to deliver the best performances and recordings for all clients.” Sony Pictures Post Production Services’ Foley department has created sound effects for nearly a dozen films over the past several months, including The Fate of the Furious, Justice League, The Dark Tower, The Emoji Movie and Jumanji.
While adding the new digital recording technology, Sony Pictures engineers were careful to retain the ambiance and warmth that has made the studio’s Foley stage popular among sound artists and filmmakers. “It took a lot of finessing to preserve the analog sound of the stage and ensure that its sonic environment was perfectly aligned with the sound in the control room,” explained lead engineer Nathan Oishi. “You can use computer models to place speakers, but, occasionally, it comes down to science by human ear.”
Hecker notes that the improved workspace is already drawing enthusiastic reviews. “Clients have noticed a significant difference; they say the sound is clean and full-bodied,” said Hecker. “It is exciting to raise the bar of quality and provide the best in sound to the filmmakers who work with us at Sony Pictures Post Production Services.”
Eleanor Adds Director Candice Vernon To Its Roster For Spots and Branded Content
Director Candice Vernon has joined production house Eleanor for U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded content. She has already wrapped several jobs at Eleanor, which waited to announce her until they had a body of work together.
Via Eleanor, Vernon made history as the first Black director on a Febreze commercial. The “Small Spaces” campaign marks a major departure from Febreze’s typical blue-and-white world. The home of the “Revolving Door” commercial is a beautiful array of bold sunset hues, African prints, and African art.
Vernon said, “I asked myself, what feels right to me? What feels new? I wanted to bring an essence of not just Black Americans but the full diaspora. I wanted to make a statement that we’re not a monolith.”
Following the success of the “Small Spaces” campaign, Febreze brought Vernon back for a comedy-infused trifecta exploring the hilarious situations that call for an air freshening hero.
Febreze Brand VP Angelica Matthews said, “About two years ago, we realized the consumers that were the most loyal to Febreze were the African American consumers. And the more we learned, the more we realized the richness that we were really missing. So we said we have to go beyond just Black casting, we need to get Black directors that truly understand the culture that truly understand how to bring authentic performances out on screen. We really looked around the industry and noticed there’s actually a shortage of African American directors who have experience doing commercials. When we all saw Candice’s reel, we could all tell the passion for the craft, passion for really trying to help us from where we are to where we’re trying to go.”
Vernon brings a unique lens to... Read More