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70 S P R I N G 2 0 2 0 C A S Q U A R T E R L Y This is the sixth year that the CAS has presented its Student Recognition Award, with this year's going to Bo Pang from Chapman University. In a male-dominated profession, it is exciting to see that four of the five finalists were women. IMAX and iZotope co-sponsored the Student Recognition Award and prizes were awarded in the amounts of $5,000 for the winner and $1,000 for the other finalists. Both the winner and the other finalists also received a valuable collection of software and other gifts valued at $5,000. We thank Audionamix, Denecke, Deity, Halter, iZotope, K-Tek, Lectrosonics, McDSP, Sound Devices, Sound Particles, Sound Dogs, Todd-AO, and Zaxcom for their generosity. Unable to conduct a face-to-face interview owing to the current lockdown, I sent some questions to Bo and here are her responses. What brought you into sound and specifically sound for film? I grew up playing the piano at a very young age, so music has always been a part of my life. Pictures would always come to my mind when playing different melodies. This not only helped me develop my sensitivity to sound, but also encouraged me to explore my imagination. I became more interested in sound specifically when I was in primary school. I enjoyed very much sitting in an old rocking chair on my grandma's balcony, listening to the world around me. Sound made my childhood memories so vivid. Summer was a dramatic season in my hometown with an unexpected thunderstorm coming in. The low-end rumbling with the dark sky, the rain on the roof, some drips dropping on the window, Student Recognition Award Winner Bo Pang by Peter Kelsey CAS the old tree leaves rustling; they layered up together to make that summer afternoon alive, and my ear told me that every moment had a mood with a unique sound. It interested me a lot. When I was in high school, I started watching films. One day, my mom was going to answer a phone and muted an action film I was watching. The experience was suddenly different. I found that I wanted to learn more about sound. My mom suggested that I take advantage of my sensitive ear for the piano and apply that to film sound. I was fortunate to be accepted into one of the best film schools in China, studying sound arts and design at the Beijing Film Academy. I received my foundational knowledge of sound for film and nurtured my passion. During the last year of school, I went to London to study sound arts and design. The environment had a variety of art pieces, especially sound installations, which expanded my imagination. It also helped me overcome language barriers and realize that filmmaking was a universal concept. I became more confident in my skills and determined to come to the United States to further my education and be one step closer to Hollywood, continuing my journey at Chapman University where I completed my MFA in sound design last year. What's your favorite part of the sound for film process? I enjoy re-recording mixing the most where all the different parts are put together, logically and aesthetically. Different films have different tones. The creative process of mixing to tell a good story is exciting to me. With the mixing process, I have the chance to balance different elements, using different tools to drive the story together with other creative departments. I love working with people, learning from each new experience, fine-tuning how to communicate. Every mix is a new journey for me to get involved in film and experience a new story and its characters. Collaborating with the team is like having friends with me on that magical journey. Whether outgoing or serious, determined or struggling, their personalities and mine must blend to make a good film. The process of meeting a person, learning from each other, building up the trust, working toward the same goal, and finally becoming a friend is a fantastic feeling for me. What does the CAS Award mean to you and what will you do with the money? The award is one of my biggest accomplishments so far, and winning this award is like a dream come true. It is a huge honor for me and a great validation of my work as a student. I am very appreciative that the CAS included me in this award. I learned about the CAS at the Mix "Sound for Film and TV" event in 2016, the second month I arrived in the US. I was lucky to be able to join the CAS as a student member. It was a big turning point for me. I was provided more opportunities, being able to go to amazing screenings and Q&A's, and have the chance to speak with very nice and talented professionals. I was encouraged a lot by their attitude toward sound for film. I told