Upcoming SMPTE meeting to look at classic movie sound
July 17, 2017

Upcoming SMPTE meeting to look at classic movie sound

LOS ANGELES — The Hollywood Section of SMPTE will host a demonstration of classic movie sound technology at its monthly meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, July 25th, in Hollywood. The event will include a live performance by Joe Rinaudo, founder of the Silent Cinema Society, on an American Fotoplayer (provided by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences). The Fotoplayer is a type of player piano used in movie theaters during the silent era to provide sound effects and music.

Motion picture archivist Bob Heiber will deliver a presentation on restoring magnetic soundtracks from the 1950s. He will also screen sequences from 70mm Todd-AO and Cinemascope 55 productions, including Oklahoma and The King and I.

“Movie sound has undergone an incredible evolution since the early days of cinema,” says Jim DeFilippis, chair of the SMPTE Hollywood Section. “Our July meeting will provide a wonderful opportunity to experience what movies sounded like before the sound era, as well as when widescreen and stereophonic sound first hit theaters.”

The event is produced by SMPTE Life Fellow, Dick May and will begin at 6:30pm with a reception. It will take place at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), Linwood Dunn Theater, 1313 Vine Street, Los Angeles, CA 90028. Admision is free for both SMPTE members and nonmembers. Register online at:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/movie-sound-tickets-36229067115.