Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound

Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound (2019) is a documentary you can watch online on iFILM, directed by Midge Costin.

Sound, done right, disappears. That paradox sits at the centre of the film. Costin brings together the architects of modern film audio — Walter Murch (Apocalypse Now, The Conversation), Ben Burtt (Star Wars, WALL·E), Gary Rydstrom (Jurassic Park, Saving Private Ryan) — who trace specific decisions back to the emotions they were designed to trigger. Alongside them, Christopher Nolan, Steven Spielberg, David Lynch, George Lucas, Alfonso Cuarón, and Ryan Coogler describe the moments when a sound cue rewrote an edit.

The film works as well for people with no industry background as it does for professionals. It doesn't explain what a Foley artist does so much as make you feel why it matters. After ninety-five minutes, you'll hear cinema differently. Watch Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound online on iFILM.