Mix Presents Sound for Film: And the Award Goes To…
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Ben Burtt and Andy Nelson. Gary Rydstrom supervising and mixing. A Star Wars crew with a legacy dating back to the original. Burtt, who ushered in the age of the modern sound designer back in 1977 with his animal sounds and baby boom and weaponry, returns, as does Rydstrom, who first worked with Burtt on Empire Strikes Back. Nelson was there for Episode III, and, well, he’s a legend all on his own. J.J. Abrams takes over the series, embracing the link to Han Solo and Luke and Leia, and C3PO and R2D2, and Chewie…all the signature sounds, updated to adapt to new characters and to the new immersive formats. It seems a no-brainer for a nomination, though the competition is stiff for both Best Sound and Best Sound Editing.
Director: J.J. Abrams
Movie Studio: Lucasfilm, Walt Disney Studios
Sound Re-Recording Facility: Skywalker Sound
Re-Recording Mixers: Andy Nelson, Christopher Scarabosio
Additional Re-Recording: Juan Peralta, Nathan Nance
Sound Designer: Ben Burtt (also credited as sound mixer), David Accord
Supervising Sound Editors: Matthew Wood, David Accord
Sound Editorial: Mark DeSimone, ADR mixer; Justine Baker, ADR recordist; Tyler Newhouse, ADR recordist; E.J. Holowicki, sound; Stuart McCowan, sound;
Production Sound Mixer: Stuart Wilson
Music By: John Williams
Music Scoring Mixer: Shawn Murphy
Music Editor: Ramiro Belgardt