Movies

Ben Burtt shares difference between working with George Lucas and Steven Spielberg

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As a seasoned gamer with a soft spot for cinematic adventures, I can’t help but feel awe-struck by the tales of Ben Burtt, the legendary sound designer whose work has breathed life into some of my favorite films. His collaboration with George Lucas and Steven Spielberg has been nothing short of a symphony of epic proportions, setting the sonic landscape for iconic movies that have left indelible marks on our collective imagination.

Sound legend Ben Burtt received the Ticinomoda Vision Award at the Locarno Film Festival, recognizing his several decades of work in the industry. Prior to the ceremony, he had a chat with Scott Roxborough from The Hollywood Reporter, discussing highlights from his lengthy career.

For quite some time, Burtt has been collaborating with George Lucas and Steven Spielberg on their renowned films, crafting the audio for their most memorable productions. Roxborough became curious about how these two esteemed directors, who are legends in their respective fields, handle the sound design of their movies.

George Lucas often focused on brainstorming and discussing sounds rather than filming first, as stated by Burtt. He was receptive to new ideas and experiments, never shy about attempting unconventional approaches. He enjoyed developing sounds ahead of time, ensuring that they were fully developed long before the final sound mixing process.

As a gamer, I’ve learned that jumping into a game at the final stages isn’t always the best move. Just like Burtt pointed out, it can leave you in a bit of a pickle if all the music and dialogue are already mixed together. You might end up spending weeks untangling the mess, as nobody has had a chance to audition their parts yet. That’s why George, the game designer, was wise to bring people or a small team on board early on. It sets the stage for a smoother gaming experience in the long run.

It was discovered that Spielberg wasn’t significantly distinct from Lucas when it came to the Indiana Jones films. Since George served as an executive producer too, we essentially treaded on the same path. I was able to interact with Steven Spielberg before filming commenced for discussions about the script and his preferences: “What do you want this scene to convey? How do you imagine it unfolding?” Occasionally during production, he would offer suggestions such as, “We’ll need jeep sounds here” or “We require a mystical sound for the Ark.”

One key factor that facilitated Burtt’s communication with his directors was that they were all part of the same generation. He elaborated on this and its impact on his future work, stating, “We benefited from growing up in the same time period and sharing a passion for similar types of films. We could converse using the sounds we cherished from movies we watched during our childhood. For instance, I could say, ‘It will sound like the dinosaurs in Journey to the Center of the Earth,’ and Steven would instantly comprehend my reference. Thus, I was fortunate to have such easy access to my directors.”

The entire interview is a wonderful read, delving into Burtt’s entire career. You can see it at The Hollywood Reporter.

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2024-08-20 18:52

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