DownloadThe Portobello Bookshop Gift Guide 2024

Hollywood Sound Design and Moviesound Newsletter

A Case Study of the End of the Analog Age

David Stone author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd

Published:30th Sep '20

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

This paperback is available in another edition too:

Hollywood Sound Design and Moviesound Newsletter cover

This book explores the legacy of sound design in cinema, focusing on the contributions of sound professionals in Hollywood. Hollywood Sound Design and Moviesound Newsletter highlights their influence on iconic films.

As film students and younger fans immerse themselves in the 'Big Hollywood Sound' through Imax presentations and digital theaters, they are also uncovering the rich history of action and adventure films made long before their time. The Hollywood Sound Design and Moviesound Newsletter delves into the legacy of sound in cinema, particularly focusing on the blockbuster hits of the '80s and '90s. These films are renowned for their dramatic sound mixing, which captivated audiences and created an immersive experience that remains influential today.

During this transformative era, a select group of sound professionals in Hollywood came together to publish a critical journal that highlighted the craftsmanship, innovative technology, and evolving aesthetics of sound design. This compilation marks the first time their insightful work has been gathered, providing a unique perspective on the sound industry and its impact on filmmaking. The Hollywood Sound Design and Moviesound Newsletter serves as a testament to the artistry and dedication of these sound experts, showcasing their contributions to the cinematic landscape.

The book features prominent figures such as David Stone, a seasoned sound editor with an impressive portfolio of nearly 100 Hollywood films, including Gremlins, Top Gun, and Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Alongside him is Dr. Vanessa Theme Ament, a veteran Foley artist and sound editor, whose extensive experience includes working on iconic films like Die Hard and Predator. Together, they provide insight into the evolution of sound design and celebrate the legacy of a craft that continues to shape the film industry.

"The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a zine as, ‘a non-commercial, often homemade publication usually devoted to specialized and often unconventional subject matter.’ That describes well the intent and tone of Moviesound Newsletter — a labor of love that provided a much-needed platform for ruminating with interested others about post-production sound in the pre-Facebook, pre-blog era.

Hollywood Sound Design is much more than a simple compendium of old technologies and gossip from MSNL. The authors organize material by topic rather than chronology, and explanatory mini-essays place the excerpts in historical context. The subject is not sound theory, or how-to; the greater aim of the book is to provide an accurate historical record and inspiration for film historians, scholars and students of sound."

—Betsy A. McLane, "Sonic Echoes from the Pre-Digital Era," Cinemontage Magazine, June 2018

"Many believe that Apocalypse Nowwas the first popular film to open our ears to the possibilities presented by immersion in a listening environment. Once we transcended into the world of multi-channel distribution, many decisions had to be made, both creative and technical, that would influence how we experience the sonic world of a film. In Hollywood Sound Design and Moviesound Newsletter: A Case Study of the End of the Analog Age, David Stone and Vanessa Ament have gathered some of the great articles from Moviesound Newsletter, written by some of the seminal contributors to this creative process. This book is a must for those interested in understanding the progression of the storytelling process through the sound of a film that informs the use of film sound today."

—Peter Damski, C.A.S. (Cinema Audio Society); Emmy Award-winner for Sound Mixing for A Comedy Series or Special in 1994 and 1995, both for Mad About You

"Ever since The Jazz Singer

ISBN: 9780367668112

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 600g

382 pages