What I Do: Sound Design with Nick Hernandez

Summary

Nick 'The Wonder' Hernandez discusses his sound design work for the production 'Long Way Down' at the Kennedy Center. He emphasizes the importance of sound as a narrative tool, enhancing the emotional depth of the story about a teenager grappling with his brother's death. Drawing inspiration from hip-hop and soul, Nick highlights his collaborative approach, adapting sounds in real-time to match the actors' movements. He describes the challenges of creating an immersive soundscape in a confined setting, illustrating how subtle audio nuances evoke strong emotions and engage the audience throughout the performance.

Takeaways

• 🎤 Nick Hernandez, known as 'The Wonder', is the sound designer for the theater production 'Long Way Down'.
• ⏱️ The story follows a teenager named Will, who has 60 seconds to decide whether to avenge his brother's death while in an elevator.
• 🎶 Hernandez emphasizes the importance of sound design in theater, considering it as an 'extra actor' that enhances the emotional experience.
• 📜 The sound design incorporates elements from hip hop, soul, R&B, and jazz, reflecting the cultural influences of the story.
• 💿 Inspiration was drawn from classic vinyl records and artists like Notorious B.I.G and Tupac, who are referenced in the narrative.
• 🦜 The sound design creates a semi-claustrophobic atmosphere, using ambient city sounds to evoke the urban setting.
• 🪕 Different soundscapes are used for action scenes, featuring hip hop drums, while acoustic instruments are used in more subdued moments.
• 🎹 Freestyling helped Hernandez channel the diverse personas of the characters, allowing for more spontaneous musical creation.
• 🔊 Innovative sound techniques included miking the floor instead of the actors, creating a unique auditory experience for the audience.
• ⚡ The production required real-time adjustments to sound effects and music to sync with the actors' movements and actions during performances.

Q & A

Who is Nick 'The Wonder' Hernandez and what role did he play in 'Long Way Down'?

Nick 'The Wonder' Hernandez is the sound designer for 'Long Way Down,' a production at the Kennedy Center. He is known for his background in hip hop and soul music.

What is the main premise of the story 'Long Way Down'?

The story follows Will, a teenager who has 60 seconds to decide whether to avenge his brother's death while in an elevator.

How does Nick approach sound design in theater compared to music?

Nick sees sound design as a crucial element that acts as a 'silent player' in theater, providing emotional depth and context, while music evokes feelings more literally.

What influences did Nick draw from when creating the sound for the production?

He was inspired by hip hop, soul, R&B, and jazz, as well as vinyl records, particularly those of Notorious B.I.G and Tupac, which were referenced in the story.

How did the setting of the elevator affect Nick's sound design choices?

Since the entire play takes place in an elevator with limited movement, Nick focused on creating a claustrophobic yet urban atmosphere by incorporating city sounds and environment nuances.

What techniques did Nick use to create a sense of urgency in certain scenes?

He used elements like hip hop beats and 808 sounds during action sequences, and included distant gunshot effects to enhance suspense and urgency.

What was unique about Nick's approach to micing for the show?

Nick opted for a minimal setup by mic-ing the floors instead of the actors, which allowed for a more natural sound when Will interacted with his environment.

How did Nick manage to synchronize sound effects with the performance?

He worked closely with the projections, lights, and other elements in real-time, adjusting sounds and sequencing on the fly to match the actors' movements and the overall scene.

Why did Nick include warning sounds for gunshots in the production?

He included gunshot sound effects with a warning to avoid startling the audience, ensuring the sounds were distant to create a realistic atmosphere without causing alarm.

What does Nick mean by sound being 'the glue' in a theatrical performance?

Nick believes sound ties together all elements of a production, enhancing emotional delivery and ensuring that audiences engage fully with the story being told.