Radio Atlantic What Does a Robot With a Soul Sound Like?
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Feb 28, 2025 Randy Thom, a renowned supervising sound designer known for his work on iconic films like Star Wars and The Iron Giant, dives into the captivating world of sound design in robotics. He discusses the emotional depth needed to portray a robot learning to love, and the intricate challenges of creating authentic robotic voices. Thom also explores how breathing sounds and mechanical noises can bring life to characters, all while balancing emotion and technology. His insights reveal the profound impact sound has on storytelling in modern animation.
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Robot Sounds in Film History
- Randy Thom, the director of sound design at Skywalker Sound, discusses his work on The Wild Robot.
- He explains the history of robot sounds in film, referencing iconic robots like C-3PO, R2-D2, and WALL-E.
Creating Robotic Voices
- Classic robot voices often incorporate monotone delivery and audio processing.
- This creates a mechanical feel, exemplified by characters like C-3PO's restricted bandwidth voice.
Roz's Voice Design
- For Roz, the robot in The Wild Robot, the team initially considered heavy voice processing.
- However, they opted for a more natural approach to allow for emotional expression, crucial for the character's development.