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Skywalker Sound

Skywalker Sound

Overview
Skywalker Sound is the sound effect
Sound effect
Sound effects or audio effects are artificially created or enhanced sounds, or sound processes used to emphasize artistic or other content of films, television shows, live performance, animation, video games, music, or other media...

s, sound editing
Sound editor
A sound editor is a creative professional responsible for selecting and assembling sound recordings in preparation for the final sound mixing or mastering of a television program, motion picture, video game, or any production involving recorded or synthetic sound...

, sound design
Sound design
Sound design is a conceptually creative/technical field. It covers all non-compositional elements of a film, a play, a music performance or recording, computer game software or any other multimedia project...

 and music recording
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...

 division of George Lucas'
George Lucas
George Walton Lucas, Jr. is an American film producer, screenwriter, director and chairman of Lucasfilm Ltd. He is best known for being the creator of the epic sci-fi franchise Star Wars and joint creator of the archaeologist-adventurer character Indiana Jones...

 Lucas Digital motion picture
Film
Film encompasses individual motion pictures, the field of film as an art form, and the motion picture industry. Films are produced by recording images from the world with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects....

 group. Its main facilities are located in Lucas Valley
Lucas Valley
Lucas Valley is a geographical feature of Marin County, California and it is largely compromised of the community of Lucas Valley, California and the CDP of Lucas Valley-Marinwood, California.-External links:*...

, near Nicasio, California
Nicasio, California
Nicasio is an unincorporated community in Marin County, California. It is located west-southwest of Novato, at an elevation of 194 feet ....

. It began as Sprocket Systems in San Anselmo, California
San Anselmo, California
San Anselmo is an incorporated town in Marin County, California, in the western United States. San Anselmo is located west of San Rafael, at an elevation of 46 feet . It is located about north of San Francisco. Neighboring towns include San Rafael to the east, Fairfax to the west, and Ross to the...

 and changed names soon after the release of Spaceballs
Spaceballs
Spaceballs is a 1987 science fiction parody film co-written, directed by, and starring Mel Brooks. It was released on June 24, 1987, and earned only modest returns, but has gone on to become a seminal cult classic on video...

.

While located in San Anselmo, Sprocket Systems came into contact with the local residents from time to time. For instance, Kentfield resident Pat Walsh, "discovered" while shopping at a camera store, provided the voice for E.T.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a 1982 American science fiction film co-produced and directed by Steven Spielberg, written by Melissa Mathison and starring Henry Thomas, Robert MacNaughton, Drew Barrymore, and Dee Wallace. It tells the story of Elliott , a lonely boy who befriends a friendly...

.
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Encyclopedia
Skywalker Sound is the sound effect
Sound effect
Sound effects or audio effects are artificially created or enhanced sounds, or sound processes used to emphasize artistic or other content of films, television shows, live performance, animation, video games, music, or other media...

s, sound editing
Sound editor
A sound editor is a creative professional responsible for selecting and assembling sound recordings in preparation for the final sound mixing or mastering of a television program, motion picture, video game, or any production involving recorded or synthetic sound...

, sound design
Sound design
Sound design is a conceptually creative/technical field. It covers all non-compositional elements of a film, a play, a music performance or recording, computer game software or any other multimedia project...

 and music recording
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...

 division of George Lucas'
George Lucas
George Walton Lucas, Jr. is an American film producer, screenwriter, director and chairman of Lucasfilm Ltd. He is best known for being the creator of the epic sci-fi franchise Star Wars and joint creator of the archaeologist-adventurer character Indiana Jones...

 Lucas Digital motion picture
Film
Film encompasses individual motion pictures, the field of film as an art form, and the motion picture industry. Films are produced by recording images from the world with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects....

 group. Its main facilities are located in Lucas Valley
Lucas Valley
Lucas Valley is a geographical feature of Marin County, California and it is largely compromised of the community of Lucas Valley, California and the CDP of Lucas Valley-Marinwood, California.-External links:*...

, near Nicasio, California
Nicasio, California
Nicasio is an unincorporated community in Marin County, California. It is located west-southwest of Novato, at an elevation of 194 feet ....

. It began as Sprocket Systems in San Anselmo, California
San Anselmo, California
San Anselmo is an incorporated town in Marin County, California, in the western United States. San Anselmo is located west of San Rafael, at an elevation of 46 feet . It is located about north of San Francisco. Neighboring towns include San Rafael to the east, Fairfax to the west, and Ross to the...

 and changed names soon after the release of Spaceballs
Spaceballs
Spaceballs is a 1987 science fiction parody film co-written, directed by, and starring Mel Brooks. It was released on June 24, 1987, and earned only modest returns, but has gone on to become a seminal cult classic on video...

.

While located in San Anselmo, Sprocket Systems came into contact with the local residents from time to time. For instance, Kentfield resident Pat Walsh, "discovered" while shopping at a camera store, provided the voice for E.T.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a 1982 American science fiction film co-produced and directed by Steven Spielberg, written by Melissa Mathison and starring Henry Thomas, Robert MacNaughton, Drew Barrymore, and Dee Wallace. It tells the story of Elliott , a lonely boy who befriends a friendly...

. During the sound recording of Raiders of the Lost Ark
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Raiders of the Lost Ark is a action-adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg, produced by George Lucas, and starring Harrison Ford...

, Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford is an American film actor and producer. Ford is best known for his performances as Han Solo in the original Star Wars trilogy and as the title character of the Indiana Jones film series...

 could be spied practicing his bullwhip
Bullwhip
A bullwhip is a single-tailed whip, usually made of braided leather, which was originally used as a stockman's tool for working with livestock.Bullwhips are agricultural tools, traditionally used to control livestock in open country...

 technique in the parking lot.

Sprocket Systems moved from San Anselmo following a disastrous flood in January 1982.

Its staff of Sound Designer
Sound design
Sound design is a conceptually creative/technical field. It covers all non-compositional elements of a film, a play, a music performance or recording, computer game software or any other multimedia project...

s and Re-Recording Mixers have either won or been nominated for the Best Sound or Best Sound Editing Academy Award
Academy Award for Sound Editing
The Academy Award of Merit for Best Sound Editing is an Academy Award granted yearly to a film exhibiting the finest or most aesthetic sound editing or sound design...

 every year since Star Wars
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, originally released simply as Star Wars, is an American 1977 space opera film, written and directed by George Lucas. It was the first of six films released in the Star Wars saga: two subsequent films continue the story, while a prequel trilogy contributes...

in 1977 (in that year Ben Burtt
Ben Burtt
Benjamin "Ben" Burtt, Jr. is a four-time Academy Award-winning American sound designer for many famous and noteworthy films, including Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and WALL-E, as well as a film director, screenwriter, editor and voice actor...

 was given a Special Achievement Award, since the category for Sound Editing had not yet been established).

Mixing stages, editorial services and scoring stages are all located in a central "Tech Building", with dining areas and living quarters in the vicinity but separate from the main work area.

Staff

  • Randy Thom - Sound Designer
    Sound design
    Sound design is a conceptually creative/technical field. It covers all non-compositional elements of a film, a play, a music performance or recording, computer game software or any other multimedia project...

     - The Incredibles
    The Incredibles
    The Incredibles is a 2004 computer-animated superhero film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. It was written and directed by Brad Bird, a former director and executive consultant of The Simpsons. It stars an ensemble cast including Holly Hunter, Craig T....

    , Forrest Gump
    Forrest Gump
    Forrest Gump is a American comedy-drama film based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Winston Groom. The film, directed by Robert Zemeckis, stars Tom Hanks, Robin Wright Penn, and Gary Sinise...

  • Tom Myers
    Tom Myers
    Tom Myers is a former American football safety in the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of 1972 NFL Draft...

     - Sound Designer
    Sound design
    Sound design is a conceptually creative/technical field. It covers all non-compositional elements of a film, a play, a music performance or recording, computer game software or any other multimedia project...

     - Toy Story 2
    Toy Story 2
    Toy Story 2 is a 1999 CGI film, the third Disney/Pixar feature film, and the sequel to Toy Story, which features the adventures of a group of toys that come to life when humans are not around to see them...

    , The Dust Factory
    The Dust Factory
    -Plot:Ryan Flynn is a young boy who, being traumatized by the death of his father, has not spoken aloud or exercised his imagination since this demise...

    , Cars
    Cars (film)
    Cars is a American animated feature film produced by Pixar and directed by both John Lasseter and Joe Ranft. It is the seventh Disney/Pixar feature film, and the final film by Pixar before it was bought by Disney...

  • Richard Hymns - Supervising Sound Editor
    Supervising Sound Editor
    The supervising sound editor, or sound supervisor, is a creative role, working with the Director, Picture Editor and Producer, and is the person responsible for overseeing most aspects of post-production audio on a film or television show...

     - Saving Private Ryan
    Saving Private Ryan
    Saving Private Ryan is a 1998 American war film set during the invasion of Normandy in World War II. It was directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Robert Rodat. The film is notable for the intensity of its opening 25 minutes, which depict the Omaha beachhead assault of June 6, 1944. Afterward,...

    , Hulk
    Hulk (film)
    Hulk is a 2003 superhero film based on the fictional Marvel Comics character of the same name. Ang Lee directed the film, which stars Eric Bana as Dr. Bruce Banner, as well as Jennifer Connelly, Sam Elliott, Nick Nolte and Josh Lucas...

  • Matthew Wood - Supervising Sound Editor/Designer - Titan A.E.
    Titan A.E.
    Titan A.E. is a 2000 animated post-apocalyptic science fiction adventure film directed by both Don Bluth and Gary Goldman. The title refers to the spacecraft that is central to the plot, with A.E. meaning "After Earth."...

    , Mission: Impossible
    Mission: Impossible
    Mission: Impossible is an American television series which was created and initially produced by Bruce Geller. It chronicled the missions of a team of secret American government agents known as the Impossible Missions Force...

    , Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
    Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
    Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace is a 1999 space opera film written and directed by George Lucas. It was the fourth film to be released in the Star Wars saga and the first in terms of internal chronology. It was also Lucas' first film as a director in 22 years, and only his fourth overall...

    , Attack of the Clones
    Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
    Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones is a 2002 space opera film directed by George Lucas and written by Lucas and Jonathan Hales. It is the fifth film to be released in the Star Wars saga and the second in terms of internal chronology....

    , Revenge of the Sith
    Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
    Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith is a 2005 space opera film written and directed by George Lucas. It is the sixth film released in the Star Wars saga and the third in terms of the series' internal chronology. It completes the entire Star Wars story.The film takes place three years after...

  • Michael Semanick - Re-recording Mixer - Ratatouille
    Ratatouille (film)
    Ratatouille is a computer-animated film produced by Pixar and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. The film was the eighth movie produced by Pixar, and was directed by Brad Bird, who took over from Jan Pinkava in 2005...

    , The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
    Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
    Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones is a 2002 space opera film directed by George Lucas and written by Lucas and Jonathan Hales. It is the fifth film to be released in the Star Wars saga and the second in terms of internal chronology....

    , King Kong
  • Chris Boyes - Re-recording Mixer/Sound Designer - Titanic, Pearl Harbor
    Pearl Harbor (film)
    Pearl Harbor is a war film directed by Michael Bay. It features a large ensemble cast, including Ben Affleck, Alec Baldwin, Jon Voight, Josh Hartnett, Kate Beckinsale, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Dan Aykroyd, Colm Feore, Mako, Tom Sizemore, Jaime King, and Jennifer Garner...

    , King Kong
    King Kong
    King Kong is a fictional movie monster that has appeared in several films since 1933. These include the groundbreaking 1933 film King Kong, the film remakes of 1976 and 2005, as well as various sequels...

  • Leslie Ann Jones
    Leslie Ann Jones
    Leslie Ann Jones is a multiple Grammy Award-winning recording engineer working as Director of Music Recording and Scoring at Skywalker Sound, a Lucasfilm, Ltd. company. She is a past Chair of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Board of Trustees, the organization that awards Grammys...

    - Director of Scoring and Music Recording

External links