A Filmmaker’s Guide to Sound Design

This illuminating book offers a unique view into the art of sound design and the post production audio process. It was written for filmmakers and designed to bridge the creative gap between directors, producers and the artists, and technicians who are responsible for creating the full soundtrack.

Building on over 50 years of combined expertise in teaching, filmmaking, and sound design, experienced instructor and author Peter Rea and sound designer Matthew Polis offer a cogent, clear, and practical overview of sound design principles and practices, from exploring the language and vocabulary of sound to teaching readers how to work with sound professionals and later to overseeing the edit, mix, and finishing processes. In this book, Polis and Rea focus on creative and practical ways to utilize sound in order to achieve the filmmaker's vision and elevate their films.

Balancing practical, experienced-based insight, numerous examples, and unique concepts like storyboarding for sound, A Filmmaker’s Guide to Sound Design arms students, filmmakers, and educators with the knowledge to creatively and confidently navigate their film through the post audio process.

Matthew Polis is a sound designer, studio owner, and educator. His combined story-driven approach to sound design and technical mastery in the mix room have earned him respect amongst his peers in the world of film & TV. While in New York, Matthew spent six years as an adjunct professor at NYU Tisch School of the Arts, during which he created post audio curriculum for the production classes. It is from these lectures that the concept for this book was born.

Peter Rea is an Associate Professor at NYU, Tisch School of the Arts, Institute of Film & Television. He has extensive experience developing feature film, television, and theatrical projects. He is the co-author of Producing and Directing the Short Film and Video for Focal Press that is currently in its fifth edition and has been translated into six languages. Peter has taught courses in beginning, intermediate and advanced film & TV production, screenwriting, producing, and critical studies.