sound effects lessons Archives

There’s a place for everyone in theater, I think. Here’s my defense of it if you need one.

Take this time of year–

Have you noticed the many commercials and television shows who use the sound of jingle bells in the background? That’s how you know the commercial has something to do with the holidays–pretty easy and clever.

When I encourage someone to get involved in theater, most people exclaim, “Oh gosh! I could never get up in front of people and perform! I can’t think of anything more frightening.”

I’m sad when someone admits this to me, because I know there are other places within theater you can be a part of without having to step foot on the stage.

One part of the production most people don’t even know about is sound design. You know all the cool sounds you hear in the background of a film or a play? Those were designed by someone. In film and radio they are called Foley Engineers named after Mr. Foley who was the first sound effects artist.

Addison Teague

We even know an Oscar winning sound design artist–Addison Teague.

(La-dee-dah–I know.)

Does that make me sound more knowledgeable? Truthfully, I haven’t seen Addison since he was a teenager when my husband taught him in band class, but we do know his family and keep up with his brother.

Addison is now a sound effects editor. What a cool job! He has worked on many movies, most of which you have seen.

From Skywalkersounds.com:

“Addison Teague was born and raised in Columbia, Missouri. In 1995 he moved to Los Angeles to attend USC Film School, where he received the Mary Pickford Sound Scholarship, and worked as the Teaching Assistant for Tomlinson Holman (inventor of THX for Lucasfilm).

In 2000, Addison moved to Marin County to begin his professional career at Skywalker Sound. Over the next 7 years, he would edit sound effects on 19 films, including Pirates of the Caribbean, Lord of the Rings, and Munich.

In 2007 he relocated back to Los Angeles to work directly alongside Jim Cameron for three years on Avatar, for which he earned a British Academy Award nomination. Staying in Los Angeles, Addison has carved a unique role as an LA based Skywalker Supervising Sound Editor / Sound Designer, setting up and working in close proximity to the director and picture editor. During this phase, Addison has overseen films including Tron Legacy (earning him a Best Sound Editing Academy Award nomination), Rango, The Lone Ranger, and the Amazing Spider-Man series.”

Impressive, huh?

There’s more….

2018 All the Lonely People (Video documentary short) (sound) (completed)

2018Ralph Breaks the Internet (sound designer & supervising sound editor)

2018Ant-Man and the Wasp (supervising sound editor)

2018Ready Player One (sound effects editor)

2017Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (sound designer) / (supervising sound editor)

2016Monster Trucks (sound designer) / (supervising sound editor)

2016The BFG (sound effects editor)

2016Zootopia (sound designer & supervising sound editor)

2014Big Hero 6 (sound effects editor)

2014The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (sound designer) / (supervising sound editor)

201347 Ronin (add’l supervising sound editor) / (sound designer – uncredited)

2013The Lone Ranger (sound designer) / (supervising sound editor)

2012The Amazing Spider-Man (sound designer) / (supervising sound editor)

2011Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (sound effects editor)

2011Rango (sound designer – uncredited) / (supervising sound editor)

2010TRON: Legacy (supervising sound editor & additional sound designer)

2009Avatar (supervising sound editor & add’l sound design)

2008Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (sound effects editor)

2007Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (sound effects editor)

2007Zodiac (sound effects editor)

2006Zoom (sound effects editor)

2006Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (sound effects editor)

2005Munich (sound effects editor)

2005Rent (sound effects editor)

2005The Weather Man (sound effects editor)

2005War of the Worlds (sound effects editor)

2005The Matador (sound effects editor)

2004Catwoman (sound effects editor)

2004Hellboy (sound effects editor)

2003The Young Black Stallion (foley editor)

2003The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (sound effects editor)

2003Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (sound effects editor)

2002American Icarus (Short) (supervising sound editor)

2002The Ring (sound effects editor)

2002The Emperor’s Club (sound effects editor) / (supervising assistant sound editor – uncredited)

2001Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (assistant sound designer – uncredited) / (sound design editor) / (sound effects editor – uncredited)

2001The Mexican (sound effects editor – uncredited) / (supervising assistant sound editor)

2001Monkeybone (sound assistant: Skywalker Sound) / (supervising assistant sound editor – uncredited)

2000Before She Met Me (re-recording mixer) / (sound designer)

2000Hellraiser: Inferno (Video) (sound designer)

2000Hitch (Short) (re-recording mixer)

2000Urbania (foley editor)

1999Play It to the Bone (sound intern)

1999The Learning Curve (sound effects editor)

1999Mystery Men (sound intern)

199912 Stops on the Road to Nowhere (Short) (co-supervising sound editor)

1998Running Still (Short) (supervising sound editor)

1998Thursday Afternoon (Short) (sound)

1998Express: Aisle to Glory (Short) (re-recording mixer) / (sound designer)

1993Iron Monkey (sound effects editor: US Version)

There’s a Place for Everyone in Theater

Do you have a theater or film geek in your home or classroom? Sound design is an excellent area of theater which is rarely considered as a way to involved in the theater or as a profession. If your geek likes theater, but doesn’t feel comfortable acting or building sets, he might love sound design.

Had I known about sound design when I was in college, I might have studied it. Sound and music are incredibly important to me when I direct a production. In fact, before I while I am preparing to direct, I find music which puts me in the mood of the play or musical. Then, when I am blocking or studying the script, I play that music to get me in the zone. Works every time.

I have several sound effects lessons and exercises in my Teacherspayteacher store. You can find my store here:

Dramamommaspeaks Teacherpayteacher Store

Check them out here:

Sound Design Unit for High School

This unit is eight days in length and gives your students lots of opportunity for creativity.

How fun for your students or child to learn about sound effects by focusing on a particular theme?

Each lesson is about 55 minutes in length and includes my usual teacher’s questions, procedure, materials list, sources and links and tips to help you be successful with the lesson, too!