Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1487730
Although the plans for the Museum were still in their infancy, I had already begun imagining some of the exhibits we wanted to realize. One of the first projects I started working on was something that was inspired by my WorldCon exhibit. I created a multi-channel sound effects montage, featuring many sounds from famous—and instantly recognizable—motion pictures and TV shows. I envisioned it as being played in a unique room where guests could move through, and hear random sounds and backgrounds from different shows while learning about them within the scope of the Museum itself. I brought a version of the audio montage to Cinsonika. This early version was mixed to a 5.1 presentation by the brilliant Charles Maynes, and was played back on a loop in one of the school's mix stages for the entire run of the seminar. Although it was presented a little differently than initially imagined, it was very well received. Jump ahead to today ... and I am preparing another sound effects exhibit—very similar to the previous one described—for yet another science fiction convention. I have to confess that at the time of this writing, it is still being created, and will have its debut before this issue goes to press. Loscon is an annual convention that has been held since 1975 by the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society (LASFS), which is the world's oldest continuously active science fiction and fantasy club. Like The Hollywood Sound Museum, they are a 501c3 not for profit, with all proceeds benefiting the organization itself. The convention is held at the LAX Marriott—where it has been held since 2004. My father, Walt Lee, was a physicist and consultant to science fiction films, and regularly attended Loscon as a featured speaker. When he passed away in 2014, I was invited to be a guest at the convention to speak at a special memorial for my dad that they were planning. Film directors Joe Dante and John Landis, both close friends of my father, wrote very nice remembrances that we read at the panel. It was a very moving tribute. As if I wasn't already grateful to the organization for doing all that, they have since graciously invited me back every year. One of the panels I have been hosting there annually is for The Hollywood Sound Museum, where we discuss film sound history (specific to science fiction and fantasy films), as well as give an update on the progress of making the Museum itself as a "brick and mortar" reality. This year, when I was asked to participate, I was told that there would be a room available for any of our Museum exhibits that we had ready. After consulting with my brilliant Board, we decided that a variation on the sound effects montage I had developed for Cinsonika would be the best exhibit to bring to the convention.