PODCAST - The sounds of 'Star Wars' w/ mastering engineer Justin Marra (S1/E2)
+ the thoughts on the power of Ron Howard’s family, and trolls within the ‘Star Wars’ fandom
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Hot George Summer continues! Singer-songwriter, educator, podcaster, and mastering engineer, Justin Marra joins Tim and Jim in a discussion of the sounds that inspired Star Wars!
But BEFORE that, we talk about how the force runs deep in the Ron Howard family and how it’s time for the trolls within the Star Wars fandom… to end.
To read and watch additional material related to this episode, keep scrolling!
Episode Credits:
Hosts: Tim Barnes & Jim Fagan
Guest(s): Justin Marra
Theme Song: Matt Maher
Announcer: Carolina Ravassa
Podcast Art:Joel Jackson
IN THIS DISPATCH
A New Hope as an indie film, Ben Burtt, and Star Wars sonic progress!
Links to the exciting aspects of Star Wars that we referenced in Act I.
SPECIAL FEATURES (PAID SUBSCRIBERS)
Bonus “Nubs” — Tim and Jim talk the power of sound!
Justin Marra : A Star Wars Story
Our guest this episode is Justin Marra and his introduction to Star Wars involved a fateful VHS of the original 1977 Star Wars from a family member who thought it was Star Trek. Luckily, Marra didn’t “assume too much..” and learned to love Star Wars just as much as he loves The Next Generation.
In this episode, Justin talks about his world of post-production audio engineering and how Lucasfilm was a pioneer in cinema sound on multiple fronts.
Justin Marra has been playing music throughout New England and writing music since the age of 15. He's recorded three albums of original music, and been fortunate to work with good friends who’ve become collaborators and collaborators who’ve become good friends. Justin has featured at The Hard Rock Cafe, Tweed River Music Festival, Boston Greenfest, and more.
Check out his band!
Transitioning from a thirteen year stint in education into full time sound engineering Justin has quickly earned a name for himself as the 'go-to' for Audiobooks, Voice Over, as a Mastering Engineer and Producer. In the short time since opening The TreeCave (est. 2017) Justin has mastered over three dozen audiobooks as well as engineered countless others for independent exchanges, national publishers, and retailers. In 2019 he engineered and Co-Directed Jenny Slate's Little Weirds for Hachette Audio.
Discussion Highlights:
A New Hope is an indie film:
Justin Marra reminds us that what makes the original 1977 Star Wars film so great is that it still has rough edges, by saying:
A New Hope it’s just… it’s an indie film! It bears all of the trappings of a true indie film and I think that there’s something really beautiful about that.
- Justin Marra
Ben Burtt, sound design pioneer (and editor of the prequels)!
Most Star Wars aficionados know that Ben Burtt (who attended U.S.C. with Lucas) developed the many iconic sounds of the franchises — as evidenced by this photo of him either discovering the “blaster” sound or electrocuting himself for kicks:
But we dove into the fact he is the “father of modern sound design” (a term that was gained steam in the mid 1970’s) — as well as the fact that he EDITED ALL THREE PREQUEL FILMS!
Check out this great Adam Savage interview with Ben Burtt in a video titled LAST LOOK Inside the Former ILM Production Studio:
And this Kennedy Center podcast about how he tells story through sound.
Thanks to George, every Star Wars film advances sound:
Beyond diving into the long history of THX sound… (click for the memories!)
…we learn that the original trilogy is surround sound 5.1, the prequels are 6.1, and the sequel trilogy skips 7.1 and goes for Dolby Atmos. Which means J.J. Abrams took a major cue from George and knew that launching the prequel trilogy meant breaking new sonic ground!
Star Wars has always at the forefront of sound. Not just in sound effects, but the technology in which we experience film…
- Justin Marra (Yub Nub, 2024)
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What’s “Yubbing” Our “Nubs”
AUDIO: Ron Howard on Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
This episode helped Tim realize multiple points of connection between the paths of Ron Howard and George Lucas. It’s almost as if they’re part of some sort of… dyad in The Force.
OPINION: It’s Time For ‘Star Wars’ Review Bombers… To End
Jim calls for a reckoning when it comes to bad-faith Star Wars reviewers. But don’t become engulfed in the anger, Jim. Anger mustn’t “yub” all of your “nubs!”
Yub Nub is powered by the SONAR podcast network. Discover more of your new favorite shows!—Like The World Needs Nerds, hosted by upcoming guests Mackenzie Green!
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