Grand Central Recording Studios (GCRS) in London has secured its first guest sound designer, Los Angeles-based Ben Wilkins. GCRS will be representing Wilkins in the U.K. and Europe.
He brings to GCRS a stellar track record in sound design and mixing, for which he has been recognized with a host of accolades including both an Oscar and a BAFTA for his work on the critically acclaimed Whiplash.
Wilkins spent his formative years working in London where GCRS founder/managing director Carole Humphrey gave him his first break into the industry at The Tape Gallery. He moved to L.A. and has since made his name working in the film industry on projects such as Starship Troopers, Dazed and Confused, Stargate, The Last Samurai, The Fast and The Furious, Star Trek, and Whiplash.
Wilkins said, “I’m thrilled to be working with the team at GCRS again and to have the opportunity to share the unique experience that I’ve cultivated since my formative Tape Gallery days. It will be exciting to delve into the unique challenges that sound design for advertising and short form presents. As the lines blur between film, broadcast and digital technologies I can think of no better facility to explore those new creative frontiers than at GCRS.”
Ivor Taylor, technical director and co-founder, GCRS, commented: “As the world gets smaller, remote working enables us to collaborate with world class talent such as Ben. The time zone difference is an enormous advantage, as it enables for 24/7 work on a project. Cloud based working means full technical compatibility between the two locations and allows for seamless integration of digital workflows.”
“Heretic” and “Maria” Set As Red Carpet Premieres At AFI Fest
The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced that Heretic, the psychological thriller starring Hugh Grant, and Maria, based on the life of opera singer Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie, will round out the Red Carpet Premieres section at this year’s AFI Fest. The Heretic Gala Screening will take place on Thursday, October 24, and the Maria Gala Screening will be held on Saturday, October 26. The complete Red Carpet Premieres section includes the world premieres of Music By John Williams, Robert Zemeckis’ Here, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2. All Red Carpet Premieres will take place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. The full lineup for AFI Fest 2024 will be unveiled on October 1.
“At the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema--together,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “We look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.”
Heretic follows two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (portrayed by Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and produced by Stacey Sher, Beck, Woods, Julia Glausi and Jeanette Volturno. The film will be released nationwide by A24 on November 8.
Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the world’s most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as Callas (Jolie)... Read More