By Kristin Reiber Harris
Sound design in the secret sauce that adds that magical third dimension to media projects. When I was beginning my career as an animator I was quite humbled to realize that animation, no matter how fabulous the art and motion, falls flat without sound. This is equally true for film. Well-designed audio is so seamless that it is often overlooked because it so beautifully integrates with the visuals.
Meet the Experts
On April 22, 2020, sound designers Pam Demetruis-Thomas, Jacob Ribicoff, and Steve “Major” Giammaria joined moderator Becky Goldberg for NYWIFT’s virtual panel “Documentary Storytelling with Sound Design.”
The panelists had many years of experience to share with us. Pam Demetruis-Thomas has 30 years’ experience as a sound designer for feature films, documentary films and episodic television. Her specialty is creating soundscapes and clean, clear dialogue. Jacob Ribicoff is a highly regarded, award-winning sound designer who worked on Manchester by the Sea, The Light Between Oceans, The Wrestler, The Vietnam War and many, many others. Steve Giammaria has been in the business for 14 years and is known for his work on High Maintenance, John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch, and Sesame Street.
What is Sound Design
I was interested to hear how these seasoned professionals succinctly described what sound design means to them. Having sound and image support each other is self-evident but another way to think about it is sound building bridges.
Another approach is sound designer as actor. This makes sense considering the power and significance of audio, truly another player on the stage telling the story. Weaving sound effects, dialogue, multichannel backgrounds and foley is another way of thinking about the services sound designer provide.
These concepts are not unexpected but thinking about them certainly inspired me to be more mindful of the audio tracks of all the media I am consuming.
Recommendations for Filmmakers
What were some of their recommendations for filmmakers to get the most bang for their buck with sound? Talk to your designer about your “sonic world view” up front, leave room for sound, and start working with your sound designer before picture lock. Using location sound can be very powerful and don’t be afraid to experiment.
Show and Tell
We were introduced to clips from each designer. They talked about the story they were trying to tell and their solutions. We heard their thought process and the end result.
I was particularly interested when Jacob Ribicoff talked about working with Ken Burns on Vietnam and adding heartbeats and helicopters to a scene to support the dramatic nature of that part of the film.
I found this short video that Jacob Ribicoff had worked on – it’s a great short example of the power of sound:
Thanks to Becky, Pam, Jacob and Steve for sharing your expertise and advice.
NYWIFT offers 50+ professional development panels like this one – see what we have coming up and register for a future program at www.nywift.org/events.
Related Posts
NYWIFT @ Sundance: In Conversation with Laela Kilbourn
In a time when women’s reproductive rights are at the forefront of the political and cultural conversation, a group of teenage girls gather to assert their power, prepare for their futures, and determine the best way forward together. Following the smash hit success of their documentary Boys State at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, directors Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss returned to Park City in 2024 with the companion piece Girls State. NYWIFT Member Laela Kilbourn was one of seven cinematographers on Girls State, assigned to follow one of the protagonist’s throughout her week-long journey. She spoke to us about her experience working on the documentary.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Sara Robin
Welcome to NYWIFT, Sara Robin! Sara is a German filmmaker bringing her stories of humane futures to New York. She directed and wrote the award-winning short coming-of-age film Cranberry Nights starring Inde Navarrette (13 Reasons Why, Superman & Louis). Her script Switch explores virtual relationships and won the 2023 HollyShorts screenwriting contest. She is in production on feature documentary Your Attention Please, investigating how to overcome the addictive pull of the attention economy. She has also brought her talents into commercial work, directing and producing for clients including Netflix, Jordan Brand, and Dunkin’ Donuts. Sara tells us about her exciting works in progress here!
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Toby Perl Freilich
Welcome to NYWIFT, Toby Perl Freilich! Toby is an Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker and writer, focusing on cultural reporting. Her work explores all sorts of perspectives, from senators to artists, spanning across the world. She co-produced and co-directed Moynihan, a film about the late New York senator, policy expert, and public intellectual. She also directed, produced, and wrote Inventing Our Life: The Kibbutz Experiment, about one of the world's longest running and most successful experiments in radical, secular communal living. Right now, she is producing and directing I Make Maintenance Art: The Work of Mierle Laderman Ukeles about the pioneering ecofeminist and the first Artist in Residence at the New York City Department of Sanitation. Read about Toby’s inspiring past and future projects here!
READ MORENYWIFT at DOC NYC: In Conversation with Amy Nicholson
Finding your tribe is one of life’s greatest pleasures—and losing it is one of the greatest sorrows. In NYWIFT Member Amy Nicholson’s beautifully observed film Happy Campers, working-class Americans gather every summer at a seaside trailer park in Chincoteague, Virginia, to enjoy the simple pleasures of a scrappy, no-frills vacationland, and each other’s company. When a developer buys the land and reimagines the property, the inhabitants of this shabby Shangri-La wistfully eke out the joys of one last summer together as a melancholic twilight hangs in the air. Happy Campers just made its world premiere at DOC NYC, where it received a Special Mention for the Grand Jury Prize. Amy spoke to us about her unique process making this film, biggest challenges and triumphs, and the commodification of some of life’s simplest pleasures.
READ MORE
Comments are closed