Nicolas Becker, sound designer : "J'aime collecter et travailler des sons qui ont une histoire"
Aug 8, 2026 · 1h 1m
Summary
In this France Culture Masterclass, acclaimed sound designer Nicolas Becker discusses his creative process with Natacha Triot. He explores how sound shapes cinematic perception, citing his Oscar-winning work on *Sound of Metal* and collaborations with directors like Andrea Arnold. Becker emphasizes physical experimentation, field recording, and the evolving role of sound in contemporary art and AI.
Topics discussed
Introduction: Nicolas Becker and the creative process
Childhood fascination with sound and synesthesia
Early career: From bricklayer to FEMIS student
Foley art as performance and choreography
Collaborating with a generation of French directors
Experimental sound recording and memory
Layering sounds and the subjectivity of reality
Case study: Sound design in Sound of Metal
Internal perception in Bird and Andrea Arnold's work
Documentary sound: Cow and Leviathan
AI in sound design and specialized tools
Developing a coherent sound language for films
The Oscar campaign and community spirit
Collaboration, exhibitions, and non-linear storytelling
The experimental studio in Montreuil
Advice for aspiring sound designers
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