Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1524736
2 FA L L 2 0 2 4 I C A S Q U A R T E R L Y Greetings from the Cinema Audio Society! First, let me say how happy I am to have Tod Maitland CAS announced as our Career Achievement Award recipient this year. Tod and I have traveled in the same work circles for many years, and he is a mixer of great skill and creativity, doing the challenging work of musical films and others, often in hostile environments, like New York, a great city but a difficult worksite. I've long enjoyed his work and look forward to seeing his career lauded. Also, I'd like to congratulate all the CAS members who have just received Emmy nominations, including Adam Méndez, Brian Riordan CAS, Chuck Buch CAS, Danielle Dupre CAS, Diego Gat CAS, Eric Johnston, Greg P. Russell CAS, Jim Lakin CAS, John W. Cook II CAS, Joseph White Jr. CAS, Karol Urban CAS MPSE, Lawrence Manchester CAS, Lindsey Alvarez CAS, Marc Fishman CAS, Mark Jensen CAS, Mathew Waters CAS, Michael Minkler CAS, Michael Playfair CAS, Michael Williamson CAS, Patrick Baltzell CAS, Phil DeTolve CAS, Rob Beal CAS, Samuel Eines CAS, Scott D. Smith CAS, Steve Bucino CAS, Steve "Major" Giammaria CAS, Stuart Hilliker CAS, Tod A. Maitland CAS, and Tony Volante CAS. Good luck to all of you. Although work is slow in many parts of our industry, we've been busy. In this issue, you'll see photos from several recent events. Our screening of The Abyss, with panelists from the making of that movie was fun and fascinating. I was one of those panelists, having been involved early in production, and I still learned a lot about what went into that film. The panel discussion will be available on our website soon under the "Events" tab. We also had a revival of the CAS Picnic. This family and fun event was well attended and enjoyed by all participants. Our Events Committee is planning additional entertaining and educational activities, including The Sound Board v4.0 this fall in conjunction with the MPSE. Details of this event should be available soon. We also hope to have more social gatherings in various cities with membership concentrations. Work is picking up quickly now, given the happy resolution to labor contract negotiations. Already in my geographical area, there are more projects in the works than there have been for years. This is happening in many places. That should put many production members back to work with post following shortly. One of the key issues in these negotiations has been the concerns about artificial intelligence (AI). Sound mixers and editors have long used AI tools to help solve complicated noise problems on tracks. This use, in particular, was contractually deemed "traditional AI," allowing it to continue without new contractual limitations. It has not resulted in a lot of job loss. It may have reduced hours—which may be thought of as good or bad, time-saving or pay-reducing. With shortening schedules, it does help save production tracks and provide more time for other concerns. This needs to be watched, though. Conceivably, emerging technology may allow the total revoicing of actors and possibly eliminate dialogue cleaning and ADR at the cost of losing human performance. These technologies would not be considered "traditional" and are, therefore, covered by the new contract language, making sure that their use is done by professionals, properly paid, and would be subject to ongoing meetings with producers to prevent displacement of workers—at least those covered by the new contracts. We must all be vigilant as to how AI is used and how it may be affecting our colleagues. The unions will be monitoring the situation, but only the skilled and experienced members of our sound family will have the knowledge and sense of community to raise red flags when necessary. Keep an ear out for announcements of upcoming CAS events and for details about our awards show scheduled for February 22nd. More on that in the next issue of CAS Quarterly. Peter F. Kurland CAS T H E P R E S I D E N T ' S L E T T E R To educate and inform the general public and the motion picture and television industry that effective sound is achieved by a creative, artistic, and technical blending of diverse sound elements. To provide the motion picture and television industry with a progressive society of master craftsmen specialized in the art of creative cinematic sound recording. To advance the specialized field of cinematic sound recording by exchange of ideas, methods, and information. To advance the art of auditory appreciation, and to philanthropically support those causes dedicated to the sense of hearing. To institute and maintain high standards of conduct and craftsmanship among our members. To aid the motion picture and television industry in the selection and training of qualified personnel in the unique field of cinematic sound recording. To achieve for our members deserved recognition as major contributors to the field of motion picture and television entertainment. FALL 2024 CAS NEW MEMBERS Active Joe Barnett CAS Angelo Bonanni CAS Humberto Corte CAS Martin Gutierrez CAS Keith Hodne CAS Mikel Parraga-Wills CAS Steve Pederson CAS Marcus Petruska CAS Ryan Price CAS Tony Solis CAS Academic Timothy Breiholz Jason de Mets Zhizong Qu Associate Kevin Broman Midge Costin Curtis Hickey Daniel Kresco Travis Springer Edward Thomson CINEMA AUDIO SOCIETY MISSION STATEMENT