The Sound Design of The Boys (TV Series)

"The Boys" is an American superhero television series that has captured the attention of audiences and critics since its premiere on Prime Video on July 26, 2019. Developed by Eric Kripke and based on the comic book of the same name by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, the series delves into a universe where superheroes, far from being altruistic figures, are manipulated and marketed by the powerful corporation Vought International. These "heroes" are often arrogant, selfish, and corrupt, presenting a grim picture of what could happen if corrupt absolute power were to fall into the hands of super-powerful individuals.

The plot centers on two main groups: the Seven, Vought's top superhero team, and The Boys, a group of vigilantes determined to expose the truth and bring down the corporation and its corrupt heroes. Led by Billy Butcher, The Boys take on the Seven, led by the ruthless Homelander. The series combines intense action, biting scripting, and sharp social criticism, exploring themes of power, corruption, and justice.

With each season, "The Boys" has expanded its universe, including creating spin-offs such as "Gen V," which will explore a college for young people with superpowers. This growth demonstrates the continued popularity and relevance of the series, making it a cultural phenomenon and a must-see reference in the superhero genre.

The sound design in "The Boys" has generated a considerable amount of criticism among viewers, especially from the second season onwards. A common comment is the poor audio mix, where the dialogue is noticeably low compared to the sound effects and music. This problem is not unique to "The Boys," but many claim it is particularly acute in this series.

Users on Reddit have described frustrating situations, such as having to turn up the volume to hear whispered dialogue, only to be startled by raucous music or sound effects that nearly wake up the entire neighborhood. This imbalance has led some viewers to consider the audio mix the worst they have ever experienced in a production of this caliber.

The inconsistency in volume levels affects not only those using TV speakers but also those with more advanced sound systems, including 5.1 setups and soundbars. Even with Amazon's dialog boost feature, many still find it difficult to follow conversations without constantly adjusting the volume.

Some speculate that this deficiency could be due to limitations imposed by post-production during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the main complaint centers on the failure of production companies to test their audio mixes in sound settings typical of the average consumer.

Despite these problems, "The Boys" remains a highly regarded series, although its audio mix remains a contentious issue among its fans.

The sound design of "The Boys" stands out for its complexity and focus on creating a visceral and authentic listening experience. Eric Kripke, creator of the series, is deeply involved in the sound process, ensuring that the aural atmosphere is aligned with his vision. From the beginning of production, Kripke worked closely with the sound team, reviewing and tweaking details before the episodes were fully edited.

One of the key elements of the sound design of "The Boys" is the intention to maintain an organic, realistic tone. Unlike other shows that use digitized sound effects, here we opt for sounds that feel more natural. However, some exaggeration is also allowed to enhance the impact of crucial scenes, especially the more gory and violent ones. Body explosions and blows, for example, are designed to sound bigger and more powerful than they would in reality, adding layers of sounds that span a wide sonic range to intensify the experience.

Mixing dialogue and sound effects in crowded environments, such as scenes on the streets of New York, presents unique challenges. However, the team handles these obstacles with skill, ensuring that dialogue remains clear despite the background bustle. The attention to detail in the sound design of "The Boys" contributes significantly to the viewer's immersion in the dark and twisted universe of the series.

The sound team for "The Boys" faces constant challenges due to filming in busy locations such as city streets. Despite having talented production sound mixers, they often have to deal with uncontrollable ambient noise. The series is filmed in Toronto, where weather conditions can also affect the recordings.

To ensure clear dialogue, the crew uses advanced tools to clean up the audio and, when that's not enough, they resort to ADR (post-production dialogue re-recording). The actors on the show are very adept at matching their performances during ADR sessions, which helps to maintain consistency and sound quality. Alex Fairman, the dialogue mixer, plays a crucial role in maintaining audio clarity and accuracy.

Despite criticisms of the audio mix, the sound design on "The Boys" is a complex piece of work that adds depth and realism to the narrative. Eric Kripke's close collaboration with the sound team ensures that every aural element is aligned with his creative vision. The choice of organic and realistic sounds, along with the ability to exaggerate certain effects to intensify scenes, demonstrates a high level of sophistication. Although production constraints and environmental conditions present challenges, the sound team manages to maintain high quality, contributing significantly to the success and immersion of the series.

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