Editors Note: Ever wonder the thought process that goes into sound design for a set? Read on to hear how our Entertainment Director of Show Operations approached the challenge for our sea lion show, Cannery Row Caper.
“So, let me guess…….we need to hide the speakers within the set…”
“Exactly – Heard not seen…..”
“You Producers are all alike…(grin). What is the style of the musical score?”
“Studio orchestra – Big band plus strings ala Mancini.”
“Cool! Recorded live?”
“Only the best – Nashville!”
“I am thinking a good clean honest system – Let the musicians do the what they do best and get out of the way – We should not ‘hear’ the system.”
“Right on!”
After many days of racking my brain out…..
“I am going to need some help……”
“Let’s bring in Gary Lensenmayer, Music Director with Busch Gardens Williamsburg. He knows my style and what I am looking for.”
“This is going to be fun!”
Gary and I locked ourselves in a room for 36 hours and came up with a functional and great sounding design. We took a “less is more” approach utilizing the set to help rather than hinder the design. Collaborating with Steve Gilliam and Doug Minerd was a real joy. We were all working towards the same goal – even coverage, clear dialogue and a transparent sound that would allow the subtle nuances of the score to be heard while delivering a full range of sound.
We decided on 4 locations – Center speaker and subs, House Left, House Right and one area to catch the audience sitting in the far right section of the stadium.
Here are some close up shots of the speaker locations -
Center Speaker and Subs
House Left Speakers
House Right Speakers
Far Right Speaker
The speakers are hidden behind scenically treated fabric known as Textilene. It is a fabric designed to block out the sun, or in this application allow audio to pass.
Center Speaker and Subs behind the Textilene
Center Speaker behind the Textilene
Close up of the fabric
It was fun getting the speakers up the ladder and into position 8^)
Doug returned from Nashville with an incredible finished product – I knew on the first listen the system was going to sound great! Gary and I sat in the house using only our ears to tune the system. It required little time and only a few adjustments.
Listen to The Big Chase MP3
Three words of advice to all sound designers -
1 – Never be afraid to ask for help
2 – Do not try to “fool” the Producer – especially if they are the composer 8^)
3 – A great music score + Incredible musicians + Amazing recording engineer and mastering process = Your job will be a lot easier – Get out of the way and let the music and in this case set work its magic!
Related: Cannery Row Caper Part I: Prelude to a Fish
