Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1535806
28 S U M M E R 2 0 2 5 I C A S Q U A R T E R L Y M E E T T H E W I N N E R S John Williams has undeniably shaped the sound of film and pop culture, bringing to life some of the most recognized scores and themes in cinema, defining cinematic history and captivating audiences for generations. Music by John Williams explores his music, life, and the people around him, including names like Steven Spielberg, Thomas Newman, and George Lucas, who celebrate creativity and storytelling through John Williams' music. This documentary takes the audience on a journey through John Williams' life and musical creations, featuring a carefully edited and mixed soundtrack that evokes deep emotions and memories from iconic films, along with heartwarming testimonies and film excerpts. I had the opportunity to talk to production sound mixer Noah Alexander and re-recording mixers Roy Waldspurger and Christopher Barnett CAS about their background and the exceptional work they did on this film. Noah Alexander is a CAS Award- and Emmy Award- winning production sound mixer (PSM), who grew up in a small town in Indiana with musician parents, where he began his musical journey as a drummer. Playing in bands led him MOTION PICTURES – DOCUMENTARY MUSIC BY JOHN WILLIAMS b y D a n i e l V a s q u e z V . C A S to assist with stage setup, where he discovered his passion for microphones and had the opportunity to start experimenting with mic placement and sound. "You talk to a lot of sound mixers and a lot of them are drummers," he jokes. After pursuing music, Noah relocated to Los Angeles, working as a production assistant and coordinator, and found himself in an environment of motion pictures that he felt comfortable in. So, he began to combine his abilities and knowledge of sound with the experience he had acquired. "I wish I would have had that dream when I was a kid and went to school before." He then embarked on a successful journey through short films, feature films, documentaries, and then into sports. Reflecting on his path, Noah considers himself an "accidental sound recordist that keeps looking up every day saying gratefully, 'How did I get here?'" Noah was the main PSM for the film. He met director Laurent Bouzereau about a decade ago and they've created a successful work relationship. Noah describes Laurent as a focused and detail-oriented person who values a trustworthy crew where the human factor plays an important role. Laurent has been documenting Steven Spielberg's EPK's for decades, which gave him the opportunity to have unique access and familiarity with the people, the films, and stories