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Updated: April 4, 2024 @ 10:59 am
Jill Defiel
Jill Defiel
“The Beekeeper,” “Dune: Part Two,” “Godzilla x Kong” — if a Warner Bros. movie sounds good, White Bear Lake native and mix technician Jill Defiel likely deserves some credit.
“With “Dune: Part Two,” I worked on the international sound mix,” Defiel clarified. “The Beekeeper,” I worked on the domestic mix for.”
Just what does a mix technician do? Broadly speaking, movie making is broken up into three sections: preproduction, production and post-production. “Preproduction is getting the crew together, locking down the script — LOTS of planning,” explained Defiel.
“Production is getting on set, the director working with the actors, making sure everyone’s on the same page. Post-production takes everything that’s been made and puts it together for the final product you see in theaters.”
Post-production is where Defiel works, making sure every sound is at the appropriate level, which allows the director to accomplish their vision. “I push all the buttons before people play with the buttons,” Defiel quips.
“When a movie comes to us, all the audio — voices, effects, everything — is up front. It’s a wall of noise. We take that wall and wrap it around the room. We do everything we can to make it immersive.”
Defiel had long been drawn to the movie industry (as a kid, she edited her own music tracks for her competitive figure-skating routines), but she didn’t know exactly where she fit. Upon attending the University of Southern California (USC), Defiel learned every part of the film workflow. “Directing, cinematography, producing: It didn’t feel right,” Defiel recalled. “I took sound classes with the audio team at USC … and that was the missing puzzle piece.”
Frustratingly, in a field dominated by older men, Defiel herself has sometimes felt like a missing puzzle piece. “I was the only woman on my team when #MeToo started happening,” Defiel said. “I’ve had experiences in this industry I would have preferred not to have had.”
Defiel is confident, however, that her field is slowly getting better. “We have gotten to where more people are talking and are aware. There’s more respect.” She’s also no longer alone. “On my stage, there’s me and a female sound engineer,” she said. “It’s not just men making sounds … and Warner Bros. has been so kind.”
Defiel also has kind words for White Bear Lake Area High School: “I want to thank the teachers that supported me, especially the teachers who encourage the students to pursue the arts — mostly movies!”
As for how to appreciate sound at the movies, Defiel has paradoxical advice. “Good sound is not noticeable; everything is balanced … unless it’s a creator’s choice,” she noted. “Oh, and any place with Dolby Atmos” (a spatial audio technology for an immersive sound experience). It’s more work for me, but it’s worth it … You can pinpoint a sound, like a far-away helicopter, and put it behind the audience. It makes it fun.”
Jill Defiel
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