Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1546135
24 FA L L 2 0 2 6 I C A S Q U A R T E R L Y Many acclaimed production sound mixers would flock to the innovation over the years, but Jim Tanenbaum CAS took the first leap of faith to use the untested mixer on set. "We were incredibly fortunate that many of the industry's most respected production sound mixers believed in what we were trying to accomplish from the very beginning," remembered Sanders. "Their willingness to embrace a completely new workflow helped demonstrate what nonlinear production recording could accomplish and played a major role in the industry's transition away from tape." Jeffrey Wexler would be the second to go on and use the Deva on acclaimed films such as The Siege (1998) and 42 (2013). "Jeff Wexler was a close friend of Howard, Colleen (Goodsir), and mine for more than 25 years. His passion for advancing production sound created an immediate connection between us. "Jeff was someone I could always bounce ideas off." Sanders described, "He wasn't afraid to tell me when he thought I was wrong, and he was just as quick to encourage an idea that he believed would benefit the industry. That honesty and collaboration made him an invaluable partner in developing new technology." Sanders and Stark shared a close relationship with Wexler, making receiving the award truly special. "Receiving the inaugural Jeffrey S. Wexler Award is especially meaningful because it honors someone who had such a profound influence on both our work and our lives. To be recognized in Jeff's name is truly humbling," said Sanders. While Sanders and Stark went on to change the way sound is mixed on set, they believed it was about more than innovation. They sought to improve the life of the sound mixer on set. Their goal grew deeper than a chase for awards and revolution. "Innovation only matters if it helps the people using it every day," advised Sanders. "From the beginning, our goal wasn't simply to build new technology, it was to solve real problems for production sound mixers and make their work easier and more reliable." The Zaxcom Deva has received awards, including a Television Academy Engineering Emmy Award, an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Scientific and Technical Award, and two Cinema Audio Society Technical Achievement Awards. Glenn Sanders, Jeffrey Wexler, and Colleen Goodsir Howard Stark, Colleen Goodsir, and Glenn Sanders Howard Stark and Glenn Sanders