Oakwood Arts’ Spring Break Camp: Sound Design
April 4-8th, 2022
Our first-ever Sound Design Camp gave participants an opportunity to work with a film’s writer/director and industry professionals both in a professional recording studio (Richmond's In your Ear Studio) and on-site at Oakwood Arts. Students worked with industry-standard software and equipment to participate in all aspects of creating the soundscape for a dialogue-free short film. Camp participants took part in the creation of everything from foley effects and atmosphere to working with professional musicians and a composer to create an original score.
Special Thanks to the following creative professionals for joining us during this camp. Sound Artist, Mike Kemetic. Filmmaker, Grey Walters. OA JET participant and Filmmaker, Jasmine Elmore and Jesse Smith In Your Ear Studios' Carlos Chafin and Andrea Buchheit.
Course Overview
Day 1 - Introduction to Sound Design
We started the week at Oakwood Arts where we introduced participants to Sound Design, related careers, and software used in the industry.
Day 2 - What does a Foley Artist do?
On our second day of Sound Design Camp! We focused on foley sound and developed a plan for a soundscape for OA Production’s film, On the Night Wind, which was written/directed by a former intern, Kit Marston.
Day 3 - Sound Editing Software
Back at OA participants brainstormed and came up with a concept for a short one-minute film. They worked together to write a script, developed a shot-list, and record foley. In the end, it was all put together using the tools that have been taught over the past few days.
Day 4 - Live Scoring with Richmond Symphony!
Day four of our Spring Break Sound Design Camp was an exciting one!
We were joined by musicians from the Richmond Symphony to live-score a composition for, On The Nights Wind, the film recently produced by Oakwood Arts and OA JET program participants, written and directed by Kit Marston. The original composition was created by VCUarts Music students Devin Sullivan and Garrett Ellinger under the supervision of VCU professor Dr. Filipe Leitao. It was an incredible experience to hear/ see the score performed live at Oakwood Art's newly renovated building. The Richmond Symphony ensemble was led by conductor, Naima Burrs and included Mary Boodell (flute), Peter Greydanus (cello), Jeannette Jang (violin), David Lemelin (clarinet), Adrian Pintea (violin), and Molly Sharp (viola). OA JET's own Jesse Smith who was also the sound mixer for our short film was here to also record the live scoring. Jesse was also able to teach our camp participants all about the equipment and processes used to make the recording.
Click here to watch/listen to a video of the scoring live with the members of the Richmond Symphony.
““One of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had- live film scoring! It was a pleasure to work with Oakwood Arts and a few of the incredible musicians from Richmond Symphony!!!””
Special thanks to Richmond Symphony's Executive Director, Lacey Huszcza, Director of Artistic Planning and Operations Jennifer Arnold.
Day 5 - Sound Mixing. How it all comes together
On the last day of our Sound Design Camp, we spent the day at In Your Ear Studios learning all about Sound Mixing from Carlos Chafin and used skills students learned throughout the week to mix a clip from our short film project.
How did OA mentors inspire you?
“Their love for production made me feel as if I was in the right hands. They showed collective knowledge but also their flaws which helps ease the environment.”
“They encouraged me to step a little out of my comfort zone.”
