Director Neill Blomkamp discusses his thrilling new racing film and biopic, chronicling GT Academy winner Jann Mardenborough’s rise into professional racing. The supervising sound editors and re-recording mixer share insights on creating an authentic and hyperreal sound experience for car fans. Topics include the challenges of recording production tracks during active race car driving, the collaboration process for audio, the importance of the first 10 minutes of the film, and favorite sound moments.
The film incorporates elements from the actual game and aims for a realistic portrayal of racing.
Designing the action sequences required a balance of showcasing intense racing and providing clarity for the audience to understand the geography and stakes of the races.
The film highlights the emotional impact of crashes, immersing the audience in the chaotic and intense crashes while conveying the helplessness and anxiety felt by the characters.
Deep dives
The film explores the challenges and process of making a racing film about GT Academy winner, Jan Martinborough
Director Neil Blomkamp discusses his initial skepticism about making a film about Gran Turismo and how the project developed into a character-driven story. The film incorporates elements from the actual game and aims for a realistic portrayal of racing. The first 10 minutes of the film are critical in establishing the rules of the world and the cinematic language used. The sound design captures the intense and immersive experience of racing.
The challenges of recording authentic car sounds and designing the action sequences
Capturing real race car sounds was a challenge due to the nature of active racing seasons and the need for specific cars. The team relied on using authentic race car sounds and PlayStation sounds to create an immersive experience. Designing the action sequences required a balance of showcasing intense racing and providing clarity for the audience to understand the geography and stakes of the races.
Creating the sound atmosphere and differentiation of cars in the film
The film focuses on creating a visceral and authentic sound experience for the audience, using different sounds for each car to enhance the differentiation and immerse viewers in the world of racing. Attention was paid to capturing the sound details inside the cars, such as gear shifts and experimental sounds around the engines to amplify the intensity of the races.
The emotional impact of crashes and the immersive use of sound
The film highlights the emotional impact of crashes, particularly the near-death experience of Jan's crash. Through the use of detailed sound design and subjective perspectives, the sequence immerses the audience in the chaotic and intense crash, while also conveying the helplessness and anxiety felt by Jan's family. The use of silence and specific sound elements adds to the emotional storytelling.
The collaboration between the director, sound designers, and race car drivers
The director worked closely with sound designers to ensure authenticity and clarity in capturing the sounds of race cars and creating the immersive sound experience. The input and insights from race car drivers like Jan Martinborough and David Parrall provided valuable authenticity and helped in shaping the film. The collaborative effort of the entire sound team resulted in a compelling and dynamic sound design.
Director Neill Blomkamp joins us to discuss his thrilling new racing film and biopic, chronicling GT Academy winner Jann Mardenborough’s rise into professional racing.
Joining the conversation are the film’s supervising sound editors, Kami Asgar and Erin Oakley, as well as re-recording mixer — and real-life race car driver — Beau Borders, who brought his personal experience from behind the wheel onto the mixing stage, to give audiences the most authentic experience possible.
“Obviously I'm gonna want [the sound] to be realistic. I wanna honor race car drivers. I want car fans to watch the movie and feel like they're not being pandered to. But at the same time, it can't just be totally accurate. It also has to be hyperreal… When I do these car races and I'm all strapped in and the adrenaline's going, I'm convinced that the thing that I'm going through is the most exciting, amazing, wild thing that any human being other than an astronaut has ever experienced… Because that's what happens in your brain.”