Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1351135
16 PRODUCTION SOUND & VIDEO – Spring 2021 Greyhound was to be shot both practically on a real WW2 destroyer named USS Kidd, in a floating dock on the Mississippi River at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and on stage where the pilothouse, radar/command center, and the sonar room sets were to be built to scale. After my first phone meeting with Aaron Schneider, our Director, it was apparent that he was not only going to be supportive to the Sound Department but really wanted to explore doing as much real-time audio as possible. Meaning, as much sonic interaction as possible between on-screen and off-screen actors, including set-to-set communication for twin units shooting simultaneously, simulation of radio broadcasts, real-time ship-to-shore and ship-to-ship conversations and loud sound F/X of the war action. During the start of my prep, I watched as many WW2 and naval movies as I could to better understand the scope and process of the work. Aaron was adamant that everything should be period-correct, including all props, costumes, and sets. Our pilothouse set and CIC set contained all of the same equipment found on the USS Kidd, which made for some really tight quarters for the actors and crew. Luckily, Ed Borasch was our prop master, he and I have worked on several movies together. With careful coordination, I was kept aware of the key props our actors would be wearing/using during filming, and as each prop was locked in, I was given access to them to study and understand how they could be modified to suit modern filmmaking needs while maintaining period looks. The same was true for the construction of our two main set pieces, as equipment was installed, I was given access to see how we could modify them to allow them to function practically for seamless audio use while shooting. I was fortunate that production was onboard and I had enough prep available to make the Director's dream an audio reality. GREYHOUND: THE AUDIO STORY by David B. Wyman CAS All photos by Marc Uddo, except as noted.