Brief Summary
This episode of The Sirens of Audio features an interview with Benji Clifford, a sound designer and composer for Big Finish Productions and Anderson Entertainment. They discuss the role of violence in media, Benji's journey into audio design, his work on various Big Finish projects like Doctor Who and Survivors, and the intricacies of sound design, including the use of existing sound effects and the creation of new ones. The episode also touches on the importance of music and sound in creating immersive audio experiences.
- Benji Clifford discusses his career in audio design, influenced by his love for Doctor Who.
- The conversation covers the use of violence in media and its impact on audiences.
- Benji shares insights into his creative process, including sound design for Doctor Who and other Big Finish productions.
Introduction
The podcast introduces Benji Clifford, a sound designer and composer known for his work with Big Finish Productions and Anderson Entertainment. The hosts express their excitement about having him on the show. They also mention the end of "The Benji and Nick Show," a vintage TV podcast, due to increased workloads.
Rabbit Hole: Violence in Media
The hosts discuss the portrayal of violence in older media compared to modern content, particularly in shows like "Abbott and Costello" and classic "Doctor Who." They question whether the shift away from on-screen violence is a positive development or if it impacts children's resilience. Benji Clifford shares his perspective, noting the pros and cons of exposing children to violence. He recalls his early exposure to violence in film and how it didn't distress him. The conversation touches on the use of guns in media and how it has changed over time. They also discuss how audio dramas handle violence, with the BBC having guidelines on what can be portrayed.
Becoming a Sound Designer
Benji discusses his lifelong love for Doctor Who and how it led to his career in audio design. He recounts his early experiences creating fan audios and how he eventually landed a job at Big Finish Productions. He describes his role as creating sound effects and writing music, emphasizing the importance of sound in audio dramas.
First Job and Creative Freedom
Benji recalls his first job with Big Finish, working on "Counter-Measures" series four. He describes the terror and excitement of working on a professional production after years of creating fan audios. He explains that he gets a lot of creative freedom and is responsible for interpreting how things should sound based on the script.
Working with Directors
Benji discusses how different directors have varying levels of involvement in the sound design process. Some directors are hands-off, trusting the sound designer's judgment, while others provide more specific direction. He notes that he has never had a negative experience working with any of the directors at Big Finish.
Challenging Releases and Stranded
Benji shares that he finds science fiction sound design more challenging than realistic sound design because it requires more specific and imaginative sounds. He mentions some of the difficult sounds he's had to create, such as eight-legged camels. The conversation shifts to the "Stranded" series, where the goal was to ground the Doctor Who universe in a more realistic setting.
Attention to Detail and the Third Doctor
Benji discusses his work on "The Unzal Incursion," a Third Doctor box set, and his love for that era of Doctor Who. He emphasizes the importance of attention to detail in sound design, ensuring that everything sounds authentic to the time period. He explains his process of digitizing DVDs to extract sound effects and create a cohesive soundscape.
Sound Design Process
Benji explains that he sometimes lifts sounds from the original series but also creates new ones. He likes to surprise and reward fans by including obscure sound effects that they might recognize. He also shares his approach to creating sound effects for the Third Doctor's TARDIS, combining original sounds with new elements to make them clearer for audio.
Music and Sound Effects
Benji mentions that he sometimes does music himself, particularly for Jerry Anderson releases. He enjoys the sound effects side of things more than music. He discusses his work on the "Space: 1999" theme, explaining how he deconstructed and rebuilt it from the ground up. He also shares his process of running themes through analog tape to give them a warmer feel.
Workflow and Collaboration
Benji describes his workflow, starting with reading the script and making notes. He then cuts the dialogue, ensuring that the correct takes are used. He explains that the director usually provides notes on which takes to use, but he also has some discretion. He also discusses the collaborative process with the director, particularly when it comes to monster voices.
Upcoming Projects and Actors
Benji shares some of his upcoming projects, including "Sherlock Holmes," "Stranded 3," and more "Survivors." He mentions that he primarily works on the Eighth Doctor stuff for Doctor Who. He also discusses the actors he works with and how he sometimes gets to meet them at recordings.
Friendship with Nick Briggs
Benji discusses his friendship with Nick Briggs, which is built on laughter and shared interests. He shares some of the obscure TV shows that Nick has introduced him to, such as "An Englishman's Castle." He also mentions some of the shows that he has introduced to Nick, such as "Piece of Cake."
Recommendations: Survivors and Return of the Cybermen
Phillip recommends the "Survivors" series from Big Finish, praising its gritty realism and compelling characters. Benji recommends "Return of the Cybermen," a Big Finish audio drama, noting that it's a unique take on a familiar story. The hosts discuss the music in "Return of the Cybermen," highlighting Nick Briggs's combination of different Cybermen story elements.
