SoundWorks Collection Interview Series - James LeBrecht - Berkeley Sound Artists
This week we talk with re-recording mixer and sound designer James LeBrecht of Berkeley Sound Artists about his extensive work on independent documentaries and theater sound.
In 1996, award-winning sound designer James LeBrecht launched Berkeley Sound Artists, a full-service post-production sound company. Since that time, BSA has established itself as the “go-to” audio house for documentary and independent filmmakers. Gaming companies and corporate video and event producers trust us to take care of their audio. Educators have hired us and our team of media and application producers to create leading edge digital materials for their ever-expanding content needs.
ABOUT JAMES LEBRACHT:
James LeBrecht is an award-winning sound designer for film, games and exhibitions.
He migrated from New York to the West Coast in 1974, to attend the University of California, San Diego, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Drama.
In the fall of 1978 LeBrecht began a 10-year stint as the Resident Sound Designer for the renowned Berkeley Repertory Theatre, where he garnered numerous awards. In addition, James designed sound for productions at the American Conservatory Theater, the New York Shakespeare Festival and the Old Globe Theatre, San Diego. He co-authored the book Sound and Music for the Theatre: The Art and Technique of Design with Deena Kaye, which is in its 3rd printing. Sound and Music for the Theatre is considered the definitive text on the aesthetics and process of creating music and sound for live theater.
A strong interest in film led James to an audio internship at The Saul Zaentz Film Center in 1989. There, he quickly rose within the ranks to become a sound editor, designer and eventually supervisor. He honed his postproduction skills on projects such as Twin Peaks-Fire Walk With Me, Race the Sun and Dragon - The Bruce Lee Story. He also found employment at Skywalker Sound where he spent time editing on films such as The Game, Iron Giant and Pitch Black.
In 1996, James founded Berkeley Sound Artists, a complete audio postproduction facility, located in the Zaentz Media Center. Berkeley Sound’s extensive feature and documentary film portfolio includes Academy Award™ winner The Blood of Yingzhou District, Daughter from Danang, We were here, The Devil and Daniel Johnston and The Barber of Birmingham. Game credits include work for Electronic Arts, Sony Computer Entertainment of America and Midway Studios-Austin. BSA’s involvement in live events has taken them to the Webby Awards, numerous E3 Conventions in Los Angeles, the California State Capitol Museum, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas.
LeBrecht is a frequent lecturer on the subject of audio for film.
Taking the Aural High Ground: Successful Sound and Mixing for Your Film
www.documentary.org/magazine/taking-aural-high-ground-successful-sound-and-mixing-your-film