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Interview with Ronan Hill – Production Sound Mixer for ‘GOT’
15 Apr 2014 : Deirdre Molumby
It is only the second week of ‘Game of Thrones’ Season 4, airing now on HBO and Sky Atlantic, and already the series is generating record-breaking ratings. Behind every great production is a great production team, and one of those elements is sound. IFTN caught up with Ronan Hill, production sound mixer on all four seasons of the show so far, to discuss his recent win at the IFTAs, what elements go into sound mixing, and about the hit TV series.

Ronan, you have won many awards for your work so far, at the TEC Awards, the CAS Awards, the Emmys and more – what has winning the IFTA for Sound meant to you?

“I was delighted to win this year’s IFTAs for Sound Film/Drama. It was a great night and the award completed a double hat trick for me, being my third IFTA and third award for ‘Game of Thrones’ season 3, having won a TEC and CAS award earlier this year. It’s always very special to receive recognition at home.”

You’ve previously won IFTAs for Sound for ‘Hunger’ and ‘Kings’, and received nominations in other years – what has been your experience of the IFTAs and why do you think the ceremony is important?

”I think it’s enormously important to credit the talent on this island for both acting and craft abilities. I know that winning an IFTA for ‘Kings’ and ‘Hunger’ the following year, reinforced and reassured productions I subsequently worked on, of my credentials.”

What elements go into sound mixing?

“There are many elements that go into a sound mix. Every job starts with reading the script to see what’s involved. Then in prep, there are discussions with the director and other HODs to get their take on it. I always encourage production to give prep time to other members in my department so they can meet with costume and hair to find the best placement for radio mics. This is something you don't want to leave to the first day of principal photography and cause annoyance to the cast.

“On a job like ‘Game of Thrones’, a scene may comprise recording two or more boom mics, several radio mics, stereo atmos and playback, all mixed to one channel for editorial and daily rushes.”

What has it meant to work on a production as big and with as vast a soundtrack as ‘Game of Thrones’?

“‘Game of Thrones’ is a fantastic job to work on. The cast and crew are of the highest quality and the production values are astounding. It has brought me to a higher level of experience and ability. I wouldn't want to give the impression it's glamorous, the rain and the mud are very much real! Every day on the job is an adventure in sound.”

How does the work on TV series such as ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘The Fall’ compare to feature films, such as ‘Starred Up’ and ‘Miss Julie’?

“I have been very fortunate with the variety and caliber of the projects I have mixed. Both ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘The Fall’ are quality television drama. As ‘The Fall’ is contemporary it affords me a bit more latitude for design and we record a lot of stereo, including urban and rural atmos tracks, which helps to give the show a natural realistic feel.

“‘Starred Up’ directed by David Mackenzie, was shot sequentially in 24 days inside Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast. This meant a high daily page count. There were many action stunt scenes and many scenes involving large numbers of principal cast with dialogue, a reasonable amount of this being improvised.

“The yet to be released ‘Miss Julie’ is an art house film shot on location at Castle Coole House, County Fermanagh. It was directed by Liv Ullmann, with brilliant performances by Colin Farrell and Jessica Chastain. This was a beautifully crafted film by all involved and I hope it receives a wide audience.”

It was recently announced that ‘Game of Thrones’ will receive another two seasons – what are your thoughts and hopes for this latest development?

“I have already signed up for ‘Game of Thrones’ season 5. The show gets bigger and better every year and having worked on it since the pilot, I hope to stay with it until the end.

“The shows investment in the North, with the endeavours of Northern Ireland Screen, has allowed us to train many people across all departments. It has also helped us improve our production infrastructure with the construction of two new purpose built sound stages and approval for more. This will benefit us well into the future.”

What productions are you working on at the moment and what do you have coming up?

“I am currently working on Season 2 of ‘The Fall’. This will be followed by ‘Game of Thrones’ Season 5 which should take me up to Christmas.

“On every production you rely on your team which on ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘The Fall’ has been boom operator Simon Kerr, a key player who has worked with me on many productions over the years, sound assistants James Atkinson and Johnny Waite and sound trainee Daniel McCabe.

“You also need the help and cooperation of all the cast and crew and I am thankful they continue to indulge my desire for good production sound.”



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