Conjuring Up the Terrifying Sounds of Annabelle: Creation

• Technicolor’s immersive mix moved the sound all around – and with precision to make the audience jump from behind.

She’s back! Annabelle: Creation is the sequel to the hit horror film about a possessed doll wreaking supernatural havoc. For Technicolor, it was a chance to reunite with the director of Lights Out on his latest scare-filled project – and to dial-up the fright factor in The Conjuring Universe.

Once again, director David F. Sandberg would rely on sound to amplify the chills, re-teaming with Supervising Sound Editor and Sound Designer Bill Dean at the Technicolor at Paramount sound facility in Hollywood. Describing his second collaboration with the director, Dean said, “David has a great visual eye, but he also has a terrific sense for not only music, but sound design. He has a very clear idea when he starts out about what he wants to hear.”

Talking about their overall approach to coming up with some of the film’s scarier sounds, Dean explained: “When we did the immersive mix, we were able to move things up into the ceiling and then move them even more around the room with more precision. David was really excited about that as well because now…we could move the sound all the way around and get it right behind an audience member.”

As the director confirmed in the Technicolor Storyteller Series: “When you put [your film] in front of an audience, and see them jump, then laugh and giggle, it’s like: yes, it’s working…and this is why I’m doing it.”

(Check out the full Storyteller Series featuring candid interviews with leading directors and visionary filmmakers who have partnered with Technicolor).

Led by Dean, the Technicolor Sound team on the project included: Re-recording Mixers Craig Mann and Laura Wiest; the Sound Lab at Technicolor’s Adam Boyd, who served as Sound Effects Editor; Foley Supervisor and Effects Editor Bruce Tanis; Assistants Charley Stauber and Paul Flinchbaugh; Lead Dialogue Editor Chase Keehn; Re-recording Mix Technician Kevin Froines; and Effects Editor Andrew Johnson.

Watch the official trailer for Annabelle: Creation and hold on for the next chapter in The Conjuring Universe…if you dare.