Norman Kern is a multi-instrumentalist and recieved sound engineering training
from the late Dr.
Richie Moore (Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones, etc.). Norman
is one of very few sound designers with credits for both theatre and film sound
design.
Sound design is one of the most misunderstood jobs in film and theatre. In
film, the responsibilities of a sound designer is similar to a sound supervisor,
in charge of the overall sound quality of the production. The difference is that
sound designer uses sound to help advance the story. Sound can also be used to
move the audience’s emotions without their awareness. One of the best examples
is Walter Murch's sound design the Godfather. Murch used the sound of an L-train
to create Michael's internal mind when he killed for the first time. The audience
are not aware of getting tense during the scene.
In live theatre, a sound designer uses sound the same way a film sound designer
does, except working with live actors on stage. It creates problems when an actor
has to speak over the sound. It is the sound designer's responsibility to equalize
the sound so that the voice can be heard. On the other hand, sound can work on
the actor’s emotion as well. It damages the play if the created sound takes
the actor and the audience to the wrong place. Similarly, the overall story of
the play is improved if the designer can enhance the emotional content of the
actor. In some occassion, sound can become one of the performers in a play. The
famous London West End gothic thriller The Womain in Black is a good example.
Norman is well-known for his award winning designs for five different productions
since 1998. Moreover, a theatre sound designer has to be able to compose music.
A typical problem today is that most sound designers are composers without sound
engineering background. A composer sound designer without the sound engineering
knowledge cannot make the sound effects work properly on stage. Sound design includes
voice, music, and sound on stage; the sound environment is important to enhance
the play.
Other sources on Sound Design:
The art of sound design
Why is that thing beeping?
Sound by Design
Yale School of Drama
