Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1491451
Spring 2023 – LOCAL695.ORG 27 And when starting to write this article, I reached out to Steven concerning his general take on The Fabelmans' production sound, and in particular, the kitchen and family scenes I mentioned earlier. I certainly appreciate his reply— "Instead of causing problems, it enhanced a kind of naturalism of the kitchens we've all been in, as kids ourselves and with our own children, and made the scene feel as real as it possibly could feel… Ron has always focused on crystal clear dialog tracks. He has been responsible for allowing the actors to reach the hearts and souls, and minds of the audiences we make our films for… I've always felt that Ron and his department have been nothing but supporting of my work as a director, even when he has often come to me making me aware of the challenges that he is facing." I went to see The Fabelmans with my wife Jennifer and four other friends at a typical multiplex theater in Bozeman, Montana. It was a brisk day and we were all excited about spending the afternoon seeing the film on the big screen. I intentionally didn't tell them anything about the production, as I didn't want to in any way color their experience of it. Understand that these are some of my same friends who have asked me why they can't grasp the dialog in films these days. As for myself, I typically have an aversion to viewing a movie that I have worked on recently. The compression of three or four months of intense work into a two-hour movie can be overpowering. But watching The Fabelmans, for me was quite different. I was instantly transported into the realm of the narrative—a real tribute to the quality of this movie! As we walked out of the theater, I huddled with my friends and before anyone could say anything, I quickly asked... "Hey … could you understand what they were saying?" "Yes, of course," they all answered. "We heard everything!" I would consider that a success. Thanks to my fantastic crew: Michael Primmer, Rebecca Chan, and Larry Commans; Playback Operators Jeff Zimmerman and Brandon Loulias; to cooperative and supportive property and Costume Departments on the set; to Gary Rydstrom, Brian Chumney, Skywalker Sound, and above all, to Steven Spielberg … for both a career and for this unique opportunity. From left: Sammy Fabelman (Gabriel LaBelle), Mitzi Fabelman (Michelle Williams), Burt Fabelman (Paul Dano), Natalie Fabelman (Keeley Karsten), Reggie Fabelman (Julia Butters), and Lisa Fabelman (Sophia Kopera) Quick help from the script supervisor of added lines