Emmy ace turns terror into pure sound
Sound supervisor Patrick Hogan reversed the traditional filmmaking workflow to create his horror short, Blindsided, by recording all audio before shooting began. The 10-time Emmy nominee created a seven-minute radio play that actors could hear and respond to while filming, rather than imagining sounds that would be added in post-production.
Hogan mounted a Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K on a vest-mounted Snorri cam rig, which kept the lens focused on the blind protagonist’s face throughout the film. The technique forces audiences to experience threats through sound design rather than visual cues. Working with mixer Jamie Hart, Hogan created a 7.1 surround sound mix that places monster movements behind theater audiences.
The director advocates spending limited budgets on sound equipment and lighting rather than expensive cameras. Festival programmers reject films with poor dialogue quality regardless of visual appeal, Hogan noted. Modern smartphones capture adequate images while professional sound gear remains essential.
Hogan combined bear roars, elephant calls and manipulated cymbal strikes to build the creature’s voice. Environmental sound placement uses reverb for indoor scenes and delay effects for outdoor sequences. Distance affects frequency response as high-end audio becomes less audible to the listener.
