Dolby Creator Talks

161 - The Sound of Neill Blomkamp’s Gran Turismo

Aug 29, 2023

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.

57:28

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Quick takeaways

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.

Introduction

3min

The Importance of the First 10 Minutes

16min

Recording Production Tracks during Active Race Car Driving

18min

Collaboration Process and Dialogue Clarity

4min

The Nurburgring Crash Sequence

9min

Favorite Sound Moments in the Film

6min

Discussion on Gran Turismo Release and Promotion

2min

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.”

—Beau Borders, Re-recording Mixer, “Gran Turismo”

Be sure to check out Gran Turismo, now playing in theaters.

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Dolby Creator Talks

161 - The Sound of Neill Blomkamp’s Gran Turismo

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The film explores the challenges and process of making a racing film about GT Academy winner, Jan Martinborough

The challenges of recording authentic car sounds and designing the action sequences

Creating the sound atmosphere and differentiation of cars in the film

The emotional impact of crashes and the immersive use of sound

The collaboration between the director, sound designers, and race car drivers

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts