FXF0106-2 THE SOUND ONE ERA: FAMILY

In the late 1960’s and early 70’s, years before Sound One had established itself as one of the most successful and highly respected sound facilities on the East Coast, it was a solo operation. Elisha Birnbaum, a sound editor and foley artist who had recently emigrated from Israel, worked with a small team but quickly developed a reputation for creating a highly productive, family atmosphere filled with astonishing creativity, quality product and quick turnaround time that attracted both the established and uninitiated to work at his studio. 

At its apex of productivity Sound One would take in 85% of all post-production work in New York City and would help launch the careers of both post production professionals and filmmakers like The Coen Brothers, Spike Lee, Alan Pakula, Michael Moore and Ken Burns among others.  Here staff and clients share stories about the personal bonds and animal spirit that helped define the dynamics at work at Sound and how they created what has come to be known as the Sound One Family.

From 1968 to 2012, Sound One grew from a solo operation to becoming the most successful post-production sound and editing facility on the East Coast. At its apex, Sound One inhabited five floors of the famed Brill Building housed 150 edit suites and over 300 clients and staff at its apex and commanded 85% of post-production business in New York. As its reputation grew, it became the go to post-production home for such filmmakers as Sidney Lumet, Arthur Penn, George Roy Hill, Jonathan Demme, Woody Allen and Martin Scorsese and through its constant support of independents, helped launch the careers of  filmmakers like the Alan Pakula, Spike Lee, The Coen Brothers, M. Night Shyamalan, Michael Moore, Ken Burns and countless post-production professionals and helped post-produce some of cinemas most influential works.