Welcome to the SoundStart podcast (formerly The Creative Leaders). This is the show that focusses on conversations with creative people, doing creative things across the film, TV and games industries... with a particular focus on sound. Each episode we dive into the world of audio production with some of the world's leading Supervising Sound Editors, Re-Recording Mixers and Sound Designers. We also cover industry conversations with thought leaders, producers and creatives. Check us out at www.soundstart.studio
How do you create one of the most unsettling cinematic soundscapes in recent memory? In this episode, Stephen sits down with Supervising Sound Editor & Sound Designer Eugenio Battaglia and Production Sound Mixer Jan Hetmer to explore the making of Backrooms — the highly anticipated feature adaptation of Kane Parsons' internet phenomenon. From capturing production sound in impossible 360° shots to designing an oppressive sonic world built almost entirely from buzzing fluorescent lights, this conversation is a fascinating deep dive into how sound shapes fear, tension and atmosphere. Jan shares the unique challenges of recording production sound inside the endless, empty spaces of the Backrooms, while Eugenio reveals how stripping away traditional ambiences, embracing silence and building intensely detailed Foley helped create a world that feels both familiar and deeply unsettling. Whether you're a filmmaker, sound professional or horror fan, this episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of the year's most ambitious soundtracks. How Backrooms evolved from a YouTube phenomenon into a feature film Capturing production sound with ultra-wide lenses and 360° camera moves Using camera-mounted microphones to preserve perspective in impossible shots Why realistic room acoustics became a key part of the post-production process Building tension by removing sound instead of adding it The role of silence, buzzing fluorescent lights and minimal ambiences in creating psychological horror Designing believable found-footage sound while maintaining cinematic impact Creating creature vocals that avoid familiar horror clichés Worldising audio using real CRT televisions and vintage equipment The importance of close-perspective Foley and subtle sonic detail Collaboration between production sound and post-production teams Practical advice for aspiring production sound mixers and sound designers Why relationships, curiosity and adaptability are just as important as technical skill One of the biggest themes throughout the conversation is that great horror sound isn't about making everything louder—it's about knowing what to remove. Eugenio explains how reducing traditional background ambiences, focusing almost exclusively on the iconic fluorescent buzz, and allowing silence to create anticipation made the Backrooms feel unnervingly empty while keeping audiences constantly on edge. Jan discusses the importance of capturing as much authentic production sound as possible, even mounting microphones directly to cameras when boom operators couldn't physically appear in shot. Those recordings later became invaluable references for recreating the unique acoustics of the Backrooms during post-production. The episode also explores how respecting an established fanbase influenced creative decisions, balancing Kane Parsons' original online vision with the demands of a theatrical feature film. Eugenio Battaglia is an award-winning Supervising Sound Editor and Sound Designer whose recent credits include Longlegs and Backrooms . Known for his immersive, close-perspective sound design and richly detailed Foley work, Eugenio specialises in building atmospheric, story-driven soundscapes. Jan Hetmer is an acclaimed Production Sound Mixer with credits including The Monkey and Backrooms . Renowned for his technical ingenuity and collaborative approach on set, Jan has developed a reputation for capturing exceptional production dialogue in some of the industry's most demanding filming environments. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to The SoundStart Podcast , leave a review, and share it with a fellow filmmaker or sound professional.
What does it really take to build a career as an independent filmmaker? This week I'm joined by writer and director Phil Claydon ( Lesbian Vampire Killers , Alone , Within , Helloween ) for a wide-ranging conversation about filmmaking, horror, storytelling and the changing landscape of independent cinema. From directing studio features to making a micro-budget horror film with little more than determination, a MacBook and a huge amount of perseverance, Phil shares an honest look at what it really takes to keep creating in one of the toughest industries in the world. We also explore why horror continues to launch exciting new filmmakers, whether the traditional distribution model still works for independent cinema, and why post-production and especially sound, is where films truly come to life. In this episode we discuss: Why there's never been a more exciting time to be an independent filmmaker The success of films like Obsession and Backrooms Building a career through conversation rather than waiting for a "big break" The reality of directing Lesbian Vampire Killers Making Helloween on a micro-budget How directors should think about post-production Why sound is one of the most powerful storytelling tools in filmmaking Creating atmosphere, tension and world-building through sound The importance of film scores and sonic identity Why horror remains one of the best genres for emerging filmmakers If you're an independent filmmaker, writer, producer or anyone passionate about telling better stories, there's a huge amount to take away from this conversation.
In this episode, Stephen Scott speaks with supervising sound editor and re-recording mixer Steve Fanagan about his work on Hokum . They discuss: How Steve first became involved with the film Collaborating with director Damian McCarthy Building the sound of the old rural hotel Using subtle ambience, wind and creaks to create tension Why silence and restraint are so important in horror Recording bespoke sounds for environments, objects and supernatural moments Designing the “gates of hell” sequence The relationship between sound design and mixing Why cinema audiences are so important to horror Advice for emerging sound designers and mixers A detailed, craft-led conversation about atmosphere, performance, fear and the invisible work that makes a film feel alive.
In this episode of SoundStart, Stephen sits down with members of the sound team behind Ready or Not 2 : re-recording mixers Andrew Tay and Scott Hitchon, and supervising dialogue editor Mark Dejczak. The conversation explores how the team approached the sound of a fast, chaotic horror-comedy where there are almost no simple “talking heads” scenes. They discuss rescuing production dialogue, cutting around overlapping breaths and reactions, preserving production effects, blending Foley with real set sounds, and building ADR that feels seamless. They also dive into the film’s bigger sound moments, including the opening sequence, the ballroom fight, the industrial washing machine kill, the use of loop group, gore effects, Dolby Atmos mixing, and the pros and cons of working in large Pro Tools super sessions vs reels. A generous, technical and very practical conversation for anyone interested in dialogue editing, sound design, Foley, re-recording mixing and the realities of modern feature film sound post. Key topics covered: Dialogue editing in fast, chaotic action scenes Why production effects matter Blending Foley with production sound ADR for performance, breaths and reactions Loop group for crowds and world-building Cutting and mixing gore sounds Dolby Atmos for movement, chaos and perspective Mixing reel-by-reel versus super sessions Working with directors and picture editors on the dub stage Why monitoring format matters when giving notes
In this engaging conversation, Skip Lievsay and Paul Urmson, supervising sound editors and mixers, share their experiences working on the film 'Marty Supreme.' They discuss how their involvement began after their work on 'Uncut Gems,' highlighting the challenges and excitement of mixing sound for a film that demands a unique auditory experience. The duo explains their collaborative approach to sound editing, where one focuses on dialogue and the other on sound effects, ensuring a balanced and immersive soundscape. They emphasise the importance of adapting to the film's energy and the directors' vision, particularly in scenes that require a chaotic yet coherent sound design. The SoundStart podcast is brought to you by Bigmouth Audio - a creative sound studio specialising in voice production and audio post for storytellers . www.bigmouthaudio.com The SoundStart podcast is sponsored by Film Insider - Film Insider is the new film industry, where indie filmmakers are networking, collaborating and helping each other bring their projects to market. Join Film Insider here
In this episode of The Creative Leaders we are joined by Michael Babcock to talk about his work as the Supervising Sound Editor on Nuremberg. Thanks to our sponsor Film Insider - join over 150 indie filmmakers and crew who are networking, collaborating and helping each other bring their projects to market. Join the community here.
This conversation explores the evolving landscape of film production, particularly in the UK, highlighting the challenges faced by traditional media in engaging audiences who now prefer platforms like TikTok. Our guest, Hutch, emphasises the potential for indie filmmakers to thrive by adopting innovative marketing strategies that align with current audience behaviors. Welcome to The Creative Leaders Podcast brought to you by Bigmouth Audio and Film Insider. Film Insider is the online community for independent film professionals to network, collaborate and help bring their projects to market. Join us today: https://whop.com/checkout/plan_wO5Krf4YOrhad?a=bmasteve
This week Stephen is joined on the podcast by Paul Massey (Re-recording Mixer) and Eric Norris (Supervising Sound Editor) on Scott Cooper's film, Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere. The Creative Leaders Podcast is brought to you by Bigmouth Audio - specialists in voice & audio post production for film, TV & Games.
Supervising Sound Editor and Re-Recording Mixer, Roland Heap, joins Stephen on the podcast this week to talk about the sound of The Strangers: Chapter 2. Please subscribe to The Creative Leaders Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. The podcast is brought to you by Bigmouth Audio - www.bigmouthaudio.com
In episode 28 of The Creative Leaders Podcast we speak with Brian Goodheart and Kelly Oostman - the sound team behind Ben Leonberg's indie horror film "Good Boy"
In episode 27 of The Creative Leaders Podcast we are joined by Filipe Messeder, Re-Recording Mixer & Sound Designer and Luciano Vignola, Supervising Sound Editor & Re-Recording Mixer on Zach Cregger's hit horror film 'Weapons'.
Our latest guest on 'The Creative Leaders Podcast' brought to you by Bigmouth Audio - is Michael Babcock, who joins us to discuss his work as Supervising Sound Editor and Re-Recording Mixer on Netflix & Sony's mega hit feature; K-Pop Demon Hunters.
In this episode, we dive deep into the life and career of a seasoned producer in the animation industry; Calum Hart. We start with an exploration of Calum's mission and purpose, which centres around nurturing creative ideas from their embryonic stages to fully realised projects. He emphasises the importance of collaboration, foresight, and creative problem-solving in his role. Our guest shares his unique upbringing in the highlands of Scotland, where his isolated environment fostered a rich imagination and a love for various creative pursuits. From a young age, he dabbled in everything from magic and comedy to comic book writing, which eventually led him to a passion for film, music, and art during his teenage years. He recounts his educational journey, including a filmmaking and screenwriting degree and a master's in scriptwriting, which provided him with numerous opportunities to intern and work in various roles within the creative industry. His career trajectory took him from live-action production roles to a pivotal moment when he discovered Axis Studios, where he transitioned into the animation industry. Our guest discusses his time at Axis Studios, where he grew from a coordinator to a senior producer, and the challenges and triumphs he faced along the way. He also shares his experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, which, despite the global chaos, became a period of significant professional growth and achievement for him. After several years at Axis Studios, he decided to spread his wings and moved to Sweden to work for Goodbye Kansas, a company known for its AAA animation cinematics and VFX. He reflects on the similarities and differences between the two companies and how this move allowed him to further hone his skills and take on new challenges. Throughout the episode, our guest provides insights into the animation industry's current landscape, the explosion of adult animation, and the importance of taking creative risks. He also gives us a glimpse into his day-to-day responsibilities at Goodbye Kansas, where he juggles multiple projects, collaborates with creative teams, and navigates the complexities of project management. In the end, he shares his excitement for future projects that offer new challenges, diverse creative approaches, and opportunities to learn new skills. This episode is a fascinating look into the mind of a creative producer who is passionate about pushing the boundaries of animation and storytelling.
In this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with the Founder & Creative Director at Chalk and Blade, Ruth Barnes, a company renowned for its innovative approach to audio storytelling and podcast production. Our guest shared insights into the evolution of podcasting, particularly the increasing importance of video components and high-quality sound design, such as Dolby Atmos, in modern podcast production. We delved into the origins of Chalk and Blade, learning that the company was born out of a desire to create engaging audio content and to work independently. Our guest candidly discussed the challenges and rewards of running a business, emphasising the importance of producing meaningful and impactful stories, whether for branded content or independent projects. A significant portion of our conversation focused on the business side of podcasting, including strategies for approaching brands and organisations, the importance of networking, and the challenges of monetisation. Our guest highlighted that for many clients, podcasting serves as a powerful brand-building and marketing tool rather than a direct revenue stream. We also explored the creative process at Chalk and Blade, from initial concept development to final production. Our guest shared their approach to working with journalists and brands, emphasising the importance of collaboration and understanding the unique goals of each project. They also provided valuable tips on training podcast hosts, helping them find their voice and deliver engaging content. Towards the end of the episode, our guest reflected on the impact of storytelling, sharing a personal anecdote about how reading "The Lord of the Rings" at a young age profoundly influenced their appreciation for narrative and fantasy worlds. Overall, this episode offers a deep dive into the world of podcast production, providing listeners with a behind-the-scenes look at how Chalk and Blade creates compelling audio content that resonates with audiences and meets the diverse needs of their clients.
Eleanor is the Founder & Director of Clubhouse, an independent animation studio, based in Glasgow. Clubhouse is Scotland’s first 100% paper independent animation studio. They create playful handcrafted content that is ideal for colourful campaigns or surprising social media. Eleanor has received the Bram Stoker Medal for most imaginative work and a D&AD Best New Blood Award. Her work has been screened in the UK and internationally, and twice alongside a live symphony orchestra.
Emrah is the Founder & Creative Director at Mooncolony - a premium 2D art and illustration services provider to the video games industry. Emrah leads a team of outstandingly talented concept artists and illustrators who provide premium 2D art and illustration services to video game developers across the globe. With over seven years of experience in his role, he has successfully established and grown Mooncolony as a trusted and reliable partner for some of the biggest names in the industry, from free-to-play mobile games to AAA blockbusters. Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:00:20 - Guest's Purpose and Mission 00:00:34 - Discovering Passion for Building Teams and Brands 00:01:20 - Merging Visual Development and Branding 00:01:46 - Guest's Background and Childhood 00:02:01 - Growing Up in Turkey and Early Influences 00:03:38 - Encouragement and Support for Art 00:03:57 - Pursuing Art in University 00:05:12 - Transition to Graphic Design 00:06:05 - Entering the Concept Art Industry 00:07:07 - Entrepreneurial Influences from Family 00:08:33 - Learning Business Skills from Father 00:08:54 - Career Path and Freelancing 00:09:15 - Founding Moon Colony 00:10:08 - Balancing Full-Time Work and Freelancing 00:11:11 - Building a Team and Studio Vision 00:12:05 - Naming and Branding Moon Colony 00:13:18 - Importance of Team Collaboration 00:14:07 - Establishing a Unique Studio Style 00:16:45 - Importance of Brand in B2B Space 00:17:57 - Selecting Projects and Clients 00:20:56 - Saying No to Non-Aligned Projects 00:22:40 - Early Days of Moon Colony 00:23:01 - Transitioning Freelance Clients to Studio Clients 00:25:39 - Role of Creative Director 00:27:45 - Delegating Responsibilities 00:29:50 - Learning and Networking for Business Growth 00:32:26 - Work-Life Balance and Team Support 00:36:06 - Side Ventures: Lunar Academy and Lunar Forge 00:37:33 - Impactful Stories and Influences 00:41:05 - Closing Remarks and Future Plans
Adam is a Director & Founder of 2d development house StudioNX. He is also an Emmy winning Co-Creator of 'Niko and the Sword of Light' on Amazon Prime. He recently developed the story for Herobeats' Bafta winning game 'Endling' and In 2019, directed season one of Marvel’s Battleworld which has since picked up over 5 million views. In 2017 he created and directed the 80s inspired arcade game 'The Videokid' for Pixel Trip Studios. In 2013 Adam wrote and directed the critically acclaimed animated comic ‘ Niko & the Sword of Light ’ which hit no1 on the iOS appstore and went onto become an Emmy award winning TV series on Amazon Prime. As the Executive Producer for two seasons, he worked closely with Titmouse studios in L.A. supervising on scripts, storyboards & animation. The series was nominated for a total of 11 Emmy & Annie awards.
Pamela Nelson is the Managing Director at the award winning, boutique design, animation and motion studio - Revenant. She has a strong background in production across the broadcast and film industry. Revenant have worked on projects across themed entertainment, broadcast TV, brand, experiential, film and games. Collaborating with clients such as Riot Games, Netflix and Oakley.
Donald Pirie is currently one of the most exciting and in demand casting & voice directors working in the games and animation industries. Working on titles such as Lords of the Fallen, Superfuse, Per Aspera, Ridley Jones as well as a number of unannounced titles. Donald was recently described by CI Games as being " Hands downs the best & most intuitive voice director working in games ever! " Donald, a voice actor himself, also has one of the most recognisable and most used voices in Scotland. He has the flexibility to voice anything from adverts and corporates to talking books and animations. He trained at one of the world's top drama schools, LAMDA and has performed in theatres across the country from the Old Vic to the Royal Lyceum.
In this episode of The Creative Leaders Podcast, we dive into the world of casting and voice production in the gaming industry. Our guest, Adam Ritchie, shares insights on the importance of authentic casting and the growing need for innovative choices. We also discuss the impact of diverse voices in games and the rewarding experience of nurturing talent. Join us as we explore the behind-the-scenes of creating immersive audio experiences for gamers. Timestamps: [00:01:06] Gaming and music technology. [00:06:31] Divisiveness of character voices. [00:09:26] Character design and inconsistencies. [00:14:11] Speed running a recording session. [00:19:34] Managing international production teams. [00:25:10] Innovative casting choices. [00:27:17] Diversity in character voices. [00:33:48] The value of voice directors. [00:36:17] The actual magic of storytelling. [00:40:28] Remote recording challenges. [00:47:39] Recording in unique studio setups. [00:52:31] The importance of game knowledge. [00:57:10] Showcasing Skills in Sound Design. [01:01:30] Foley work and learning activity. [01:05:48] Dialogue editing in games. [01:10:00] Generosity and humility. Follow Adam here: LinkedIn Follow Stephen here: LinkedIn We’re a podcast that focuses on in-depth conversations with leaders, founders and top creative talent working in animation, gaming and beyond. Hosted by Stephen Scott and Powered by Bigmouth Audio. Follow us: Instagram | Linkedin Our website: https://bigmouthaudio.com
