2023 Oscar Nods For Best Sound

Sound is a key element in the cinematic experience, and its importance has been recognized by the Academy in Hollywood for decades. In this post, we will talk about the wonderful films that have been nominated in this category for this new edition of the Oscars, and we will remember some of the details that we have highlighted about most of these movies on how sound has been used to enhance and enrich the narrative on the screen.

Best of luck to all nominees!

Avatar: The Way of the Water

We have already talked about this film and why it is so extraordinary from a sound effects point of view. One of the biggest challenges was capturing the sound of water using microphones below the surface of the tanks where the scenes in the film were shot. We mentioned how Howarth and James Cameron used speakers to create an aural ambiance on set rather than just recording sound to help the actors feel more immersed in their performances.

We also talked about how, as soon as the actors arrived on set, they were already immersed in a complex sound environment that gave them the impression that they were in Pandora. Howarth designed a system where he would surround the stage with loudspeakers to begin designing on location, which made it easier for the actors to embody their roles and allow the magic to happen.

Elvis

One of the factors we have highlighted about this film relates to the microphones utilized in it. A key was the implementation of the microphones that Elvis used in his performances throughout his career. Hence Warner Bros went to audio maker Shure for making it possible for the audio in Elvis' singing parts to sound flawless while maintaining the 1960s-era aesthetic. Shure provided the film production firms with assistance in locating the appropriate microphones by identifying the ones he used and, when necessary, suggesting substitute models.

The other microphone used was Electrovoice RE15, which is not only excellent for recording audience vocals but was also employed in a number of indoor scenes. The sound that was captured was so pure and engulfed in retro magic that, during the post-production stage, it attained a degree of authenticity that Elvis aficionados feel like this movie is some sort of dream come true.

Top Gun Maverick

This wonderful gem did not slip under our radar, and we have highlighted several interesting points about the sound design of this film. As with the examples already mentioned above, what was striking here is how creative the producers were in solving the problems of recording clean sound in a film about noisy fighter jets; for example, in the dialogue scenes. There were several types of dialogue, which was a tremendous challenge, so it required creative problem-solving to address each of them. One of sound designer Mark Weingarten's solutions was using a connection inside the survival vest in addition to the microphones on the pilots' masks. It was genius.

The Batman

When we talked about this film, we talked about the creativity that sound designers Will Files and Douglas Murray had to capture the atmosphere of Batman, as well as the technological deployment that they needed to surprise the viewer. One of the details we highlighted was how they created the sound of the Batmobile, which is designed to somehow stun the viewers.

Files and Murray had to create what this particular Batmobile may have sounded like (and that is a work of art in itself). The audience hears the ominous roar before they see it! Also, before launching the viewer into one of the best action sequences in the movie, the layered sound offers a touch of doubt to what the viewers expect right before it happens.

All Quiet on the Western Front

This incredible war film is told from a German point of view: from the perspective of defeat, and its sole purpose is to portray the horror of war. How to use sound as a tool to communicate that idea? The answer lies in the use of contrast and in knowing how to place the sound smartly. There are several scenes of silence, of calm before the storm (considering the title of the film and the novel that inspired it…), as well as noisy scenes of fierce combat. The soundtrack is absolutely minimalistic: three chords repeating in a couple of bars, and no more. Sound designer Frank Kruise and his team did a tremendous job of Foley to convey the sound of flamethrowers, and heavy French tanks, as well as the sound of soldiers' footsteps in the mud and crumbling rubble in the trenches after a bombardment (there's a wonderful interview in this post that you can't miss).

Getting to these levels of sound design requires professional help, the experience that only experts like Enhanced Media Studio can give you. So, if you want to take your audiovisual production to the next level, don't hesitate to contact us: we'll be happy to contribute to your work of art.

*The images used on this post are taken from Pexels.com