The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has shared a great video featuring sound designer Ben Burtt (Star Wars) discussing the sound design of the sci fi classic Forbidden Planet.
Forbidden Planet (1956) has an iconic soundtrack that was created by Louis & Bebe Barron.
In the video, Burtt demonstrates some of the hands-on techniques that the Barrons used in creating the soundtrack – techniques that have largely been left behind.
You can view it above, or via oscar.org (right side of the page).
WOW! Thank you very much for showing me where to watch this video. For two and half years, I have been obsessed with recreating the style of the music of Forbidden Planet. Only in the last few weeks, have I started to upload my efforts attempting what Louis and Bebe Barron did over fifty years ago. Its not easy, trust me. I still have much to learn and a very long way to go, but this video by Ben Burt at Oscar.org has helped me tremendously, thank you. http://www.soundcloud.com/bob-tarmac
Bob – it looks like you’re already off to a good start on recapturing the style.
Seems like an interesting and worthwhile challenge, too! These techniques are largely forgotten, but are worth preserving and exploring with a modern perspective.
It would be great if you could do your own ‘making of’ video, at some point!
Awesome work.. Definitely the kind of person to stalk on soundcloud…
I wonder how much a sound designer like Ben Burtt get paid.
Suddenly – Reel to Reel tape tape machines go up in price on Ebay 🙂
Really enjoy this demo, thanks for posting.
Well sci-fi is basically the only genre you could FX with these kind of technics… And maybe some underwater documentary 🙂