An Interview with Production Sound Mixer Simon Hayes | URSA Exclusive

We are thrilled to release this epic extended interview with Production Sound Mixer Simon Hayes.

We talk with Simon about his work on feature films 'Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels' , 'Mamma Mia' , 'Prometheus' & many more amazing projects.

In 2013 Simon earned an Oscar for his work on the musical 'Les Miserables' for which he pioneered ground breaking techniques for recording live signing on set.

We go back to the beginning of Simons career and hear how a chance encounter with then unknown Guy Richie allowed him to break into the world of feature films.

We then venture through his large collection of work & learn how he was forced to change his outlook on his craft and re-invent himself multiple times.

Join us as we unravel the ever evolving "Simon Hayes Style" of sound mixing.

Quick Links to Chapters in this video:

00:05:32
How starting his career recording comedy dialogue made him a better mixer.

00:09:10
How Simon got his start. After almost becoming an AD, he ends up following his father into the sound department.

00:23:58
As a 21-year-old sound-mixer, Simon finds valuable mentorship with his much older boom-operator.

00:28:04
While working on a commercial set, Simon runs into an old acquaintance: a young ambitious runner named Guy Ritchie. This launches a whole new chapter in his career.

00:51:02
Budget restrictions on Simon’s second feature film lead to the discovery of a permanent member of his team.

01:01:08
The principles Simon learned early on in his career combined with his obsession with hi-fi perfection allow him to establish the first iteration of “The Simon Hayes Style” of mixing.

01:07:31
The frenetic face-paced filmmaking style of director Paul Greengrass requires Simon to question his principles while shooting “Green Zone.”

01:19:57
Some blunt feedback from director Ridley Scott on the set of “Prometheus” inspires yet another breakthrough.

01:46:01
Simon started training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with Guy Ritchie and Jason Statham while shooting “Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels”. How the discipline of BJJ influenced his sound mixing.

01:49:53
The importance of working to understand the needs of other departments. A hypothetical situation requiring foresight toward the needs of the director and the post sound team.

02:07:06
How Simon became the go-to sound mixer for live-recorded musicals, which led to the Les Mis Oscar win.

02:17:18
On “Guardians of the Galaxy,” how a quick on-set test in Izotope set up by Simon’s team helped director James Gunn make the call to continue shooting despite some unwanted background noise at their location.

02:23:07
The collaboration of the sound team allows for a near-impossible mic placement from “boom ninja” Arthur Fenn on “Allied.”

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Simon Hayes AMPS CAS :
http://simonhayes.com/
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1536532/

Presented by Kim Kylland:
  / kyllandmusic  

Filmed & Edited by Bird Murmur:
https://birdmurmur.com

Brought to you by URSA Straps:
https://ursastraps.com