Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Lights! Camera! Sound! Technology From Harman Professional Provides Audio For The Legendary Sundance Institute Feature Film and Composers Lab

Fledgling filmmakers are mentored at the Sundance Labs Program, for which Harman Professional provides leading-edge technology products from JBL and Soundcraft, including JBL LSR studio reference monitors and Soundcraft M Series mixers for editing and mixing of film soundtracks and dialogue, and for film scores

For the past 11 years, Harman Professional technology has helped young filmmakers find their voice at Sundance and this year is no different, with Harman providing 7 pairs of JBL LSR2300 monitors, 3 Soundcraft M12 mixers and 3 M8 mixers for the summer-long program

NORTHRIDGE, California –- Continuing its support of excellence and creative innovation among young filmmakers, Harman Professional will once again provide cutting-edge audio technology for this season’s Sundance Institute Labs Feature Film Program that takes place from June through September at the Sundance Institute in Provo, Utah.  This year — the program’s 12th season — Harman Professional will provide seven pairs of JBL LSR2300 monitors, three Soundcraft M12 mixers and three Soundcraft M8 mixers for use in the program’s film editing and scoring projects.  HP Marketing, of Centennial, Colorado, the Harman Professional regional manufacturer’s representative and a long-time supporter of Sundance, facilitated the equipment’s delivery to Sundance.

Reservoir Dogs, Boys Don’t Cry, Requiem For A Dream. These are just a few of the now-classic movies that had their starts at the Sundance Institute Labs Feature Film Program, which every year nurtures a select group of aspiring filmmakers in a workshop environment where they are mentored by some of the best minds on the film industry. The Feature Film Program, which also includes the Film Composers Lab in which young music scoring talent is cultivated, takes place in the hills of Utah, far from the high-tech sound stages of Hollywood. However, thanks to Harman Professional’s commitment to the advancement of film sound, the work at Sundance Institute Labs Feature Film Program benefits from the same technology platforms these students will be using when they begin their careers in Hollywood.  The JBL LSR2300 Series Studio Monitors features the same stringent Linear Spatial Reference criteria used in the design of the acclaimed LSR6300 and LSR4300 Series for absolute accuracy at the mix position in any environment. The Soundcraft M Series mixers deliver a great-sounding, reliable performance in any environment, offering a familiar user interface with advanced design and construction, including high-quality 100mm faders combined with signal and peak LEDs on every channel and high resolution output metering.

“The Sundance Institute Feature Film and Composers Programs are extraordinary undertakings,” states Ian Calderon, Director of Digital Initiatives.  “Our visiting filmmakers, composers and creative advisors expect to use the best technology resources while at Sundance.  JBL and Soundcraft have consistently met those expectations and we are grateful for their continued support.”

Scott Johnson, Technical Director for the Sundance Institute Film Composers Lab Program, notes that the JBL and Soundcraft equipment are used throughout the summer, for all the editing work and for the Film Composers Labs working first on documentaries and then on narrative features later in the summer.  Now in his 11th year with the program, Johnson says JBL and Soundcraft have been an integral part of the initiative for as long as he can remember. “The equipment is great – it really helps raise the technical and creative bar at the Labs,” he says. “Working with this kind of quality equipment in this remote environment gives the students an incredible advantage, one that I’m sure will stay with them for the rest of their careers.”

Commenting on the initiative, Michael MacDonald, Harman Professional Executive Vice President of Marketing and Sales noted, “Innovation comes in many shapes and forms. Organizationally, Harman is deeply committed to creative and technological innovation in our culture and in the community.  The Sundance Institute shares this commitment to innovation and education, which is why support for the Institute labs is a natural step for Harman.

About Sundance Institute: Dedicated year-round to the discovery and development of independent artists and audiences, Sundance Institute was founded by Robert Redford in 1981 in the mountains of Sundance, Utah. Since that time, the Institute has grown into an internationally recognized resource for thousands of independent artists. The Institute advances originality, authenticity, and innovation in storytelling by offering creative and financial support to artists around the world.

Through year-round support and a series of Labs and fellowships for screenwriters, directors, and producers, the Institute’s Feature Film Program has supported more than 200 feature films, connecting filmmakers with musicians, the Film Music Program’s Composers Lab allows accomplished musicians to explore composing for film while introducing filmmakers to the importance of music in film.

Harman International Industries, Incorporated (www.harman.com), designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment products for the automotive, consumer and professional markets. Harman International maintains a strong presence in the Americas, Europe and Asia, and employs more than 11,000 people worldwide. The Harman International family of brands includes AKG®, Audioaccess®, Becker®, BSS®, Crown®, dbx®, DigiTech®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson®, Revel®, QNX®, Soundcraft® and Studer®. Harman International’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “NYSE: HAR.”

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