Sound Designer Abe Jacob To Serve As Creative Consultant And Head Of Faculty For BSMC
Broadway sound design will be the focus of Entertainment Design magazine's new Broadway Sound Master Classes (BSMC), set to launch in New York City from December 6-9, 2001. The four-day intensive program for the BMSC includes a ticket to a hit Broadway show, followed by a backstage tour and an in-depth critique of the sound design as part of three days of lectures and seminars. Attendees are also invited to Entertainment Design's annual EDDY Awards on Friday December 7, and a closing brunch with a panel discussion on designer collaboration in the theatre. Sound designer Abe Jacob, considered by many to be the "godfather" of contemporary sound design, will serve as creative consultant to the BSMC and head a faculty of professional sound designers and consultants.
Abe Jacob got his start in San Francisco mixing sound for such 60s rock stars as Jimi Hendrix, The Mamas and the Papas, and Peter Paul and Mary, and designed the sound system for the Monterey Pop Festival. A legendary sound designer for theatre and opera, a tireless champion of union representation for his fellow artisans, and a 2000 EDDY Award winner, Jacob designed the sound for such seminal Broadway shows as Jesus Christ Superstar, A Chorus Line, Pippin, Chicago, Cats, and Evita, virtually creating the position of sound designer in the process. In the past 15 years, Jacob has helped secure a charter for sound designers within IATSE (Local 922); and in 1993 he helped the Local achieve its first collective bargaining agreement with the League of American Theatres and Producers. In 1999, he helped merge the sound designers with IATSE Local One.
"I think we're finally coming to the point where criticism of sound in theatre is based on whether the work is good or bad, and not simply criticizing it because it exists," said Jacob in a recent interview in ED. "The sound has to be good, and secondly it needs to fit in with whatever the production is; it shouldn't stand out on its own as a separate part of the show."
The schedule for the first annual BSMC will begin on Thursday night with attendance at a Broadway show, complete with backstage tour, and continue with classes all day Friday and Saturday. Friday evening, all attendees are invited to Entertainment Design magazine's annual EDDY Awards and holiday party. The closing event is a brunch and panel discussion on design collaboration. It will be held in association the Broadway Lighting Master Classes, now in their 9th year, and led by Tony Award-winning lighting designer Jules Fisher.
"This is a fantastic opportunity to extend our interest in professional sound design and audio technology," notes David Johnson, editor of Entertainment Design. "With Abe's invaluable input, we will be able to further both the artistic and technical training of sound designers from around the world, and echo the commitment to professional audio that we have in the magazine and on our website in this existing new educational format."
Participants will also have access to the best in today's new audio technology, with a range of products on display by leading audio manufacturers and distributors who are the corporate sponsors of the BSMC. A technology showcase each day will allow participants hands-on access to products and a chance to meet the manufacturers' representatives in an informal setting. "What a great opportunity for our audio sponsors to have direct access to end users from all over the world," says Jacqueline Tien, publisher of Entertainment Design. "Our readers continually express an interest in seeing new technology, and here is a perfect way for them to see the best there is. The BSMC will be a great way to deepen our ties to the audio industry."
Over the past few years, the Broadway Lighting Master Classes have continued to grow, with more international attendance and greater corporate sponsorship. Attendees have seen such hits shows as Ragtime, Cabaret, and The Lion King with in-depth discussions and critiques by award-winning designers ranging from Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer to Don Holder and Mike Baldassari. The BSMC and BLMC will complement each other in terms of expanding the knowledge of design on Broadway, both lighting and sound.
For additional information on corporate sponsorships and other highly visible sponsorship packages at the BSMC, please contact:
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.entertainmentdesignmag.com
www.lightingdimensions.com
www.digitalmediaclick.com
LDI2001, Nov 2-4/Orlando
Broadway Lighting & Sound Master Classes, Dec 5-9/NY
EDDY Awards, December 7/NY