“The Tree of Life,” this year’s winner of the Palm d’Or at Cannes, marked a triumphant return for director Terrence Malick, whose last film, The New World, appeared in 2006. It also signaled the auspicious rebirth of one of the most treasured sound facilities in Hollywood.
Final mixing for The Tree of Life, was completed at Audio Head, a sound company that opened in 2010 on the historic studio space known as “The Lot.” The company’s facilities, which include four large dubbing stages, Foley and ADR stages, production and editorial offices, and a 130-seat screening theater, once housed the sound department of Warner Hollywood Studios and prior to that was home to Goldwyn Sound. The mixing stages have been used to complete sound work for some of the most memorable films in history including “The Godfather,” “Raging Bull,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “Star Wars” and “West Side Story.”
“The buildings, the stages, the history of this facility have more soul than any sound facility in town,” says Audio Head executive vice president Ricky DeLena. “This is the place!” DeLena adds that part of the facility’s appeal is its location on a lot, whose amenities include 24-hour security, on-site parking, a commissary and relaxed studio vibe.
The new owners of Audio Head, who also own the nearby post production facility Picture Head, have enhanced the facility with updated technology while maintaining the ambience and acoustical qualities of the historic stages that have made them a favorite among the industry’s top mixers. That has included upgrading the Neve mixing consoles used in two of the dubbing stages to latest generation Gemini platforms and updating the software used by the Avid ICON consoles installed in stages B and C. Cosmetic remodeling was performed to improve client comfort and amenities. New production and editing offices were also built. The facility also provides a home to Martell Sound, a leading specialist in sound services for movie trailers.
“It’s a new world for production,” DeLena observes. “What we provide is an environment to be creative. Filmmakers can come here, cut picture, cut sound, mix, do the ADR and Foley, and host screenings. We provide, the space, the talent and everything in between for the whole process. Clients appreciate the convenience and creative benefits of having their entire production operations located in a single, secure location.”
Audio Head‘s close proximity to and association with Picture Head also raises possibilities for packaging sound and picture services. The 10-year-old Picture Head facility, headed by well-known post industry veteran Barry Nulman, offers such resources as cutting rooms and media storage. It also has an on-site engineering staff who function like a dedicated support team for productions in residence. Those resources, available on-site at both facilities, make them an attractive and unique resource for film and television productions seeking a one-stop solution for post.
While its predecessors were associated with major studios, Audio Head has adopted a business model that’s different both from them and from other independent sound companies. It is flexible with talent. It can provide mixers for projects, or productions can use their own mixers and editors.
“We can host or we can provide,” says DeLena. “That makes us unique, because we aren’t in competition with anyone. We’re a neutral space where artists can work.”
The Tree of Life was the first production to give Audio Head a test drive. Malick and his sound team, which included re-recording mixer and supervising sound editor Craig Berkey and sound designer Erik Aadahl, moved into production offices for a projected five week stay that eventually stretched to ten months. In addition to mixing, the production used Audio Head‘s facilities for ADR, sound and picture editing, and screening. “They were with us for an unusually long time, but Terrence Malick was intent on making a very special film,” DeLena notes. “The opportunity to host his film for nearly a year was spectacular.”
Following the arrival of The Tree of Life, Audio Head has played host to several more film productions, including the box office smashes Paranormal Activity 2, Hop and Justin Bieber: Never Say Never. “We’ve had a consistent run of number one films; it’s been good,” says DeLena. “The facility still has the same heart and soul, and we view Audio Head as an extension of its glorious past. We’re working with great filmmakers and great projects, and we plan to keep it at that high level.”
About Audio Head
Audio Head is a leading independent provider of sound services for film and television. Its facilities were formerly home to the historic Samuel Goldwyn Sound Studios at "The Lot." The company’s legendary sound stages have hosted countless films, including such Academy Award winning and nominated titles as The Godfather, Raging Bull, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars and West Side Story. Located in the heart of the Hollywood production corridor, Audio Head features four large dubbing stages, an ADR stage, a Foley stage, and a 130-seat screening room. Fully equipped offices are also available to rent. Audio Head combines state-of-the-art technology with uncompromised customer service to produce excellence in some of the finest sounding rooms in Hollywood.
Audio Head is located at 1041 N. Formosa Ave., West Hollywood, CA 90046. For more information, call (323) 850-2500 or visit www.audiohead.com.
