'Behind The Mac: Skywalker Sound' Documentary To Be Released On May The 4th

Star Wars

May 3

With everyone’s favorite faux holiday just around the corner, Apple has announced a new film to be released on May the 4th, titled Behind The Mac: Skywalker Sound. The announcement came in the form of a minute-long trailer on Apple’s YouTube channel, which showcases the many nostalgia-inducing sounds that have been formative for the Star Wars films since 1977. Many, if not all of these sounds will be instantly recognizable by dedicated fans, from R2-D2’s trademark “beeps” and “boops” to the sizzling hum of an idle lightsaber.

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Skywalker Sound is one of the most well-respected sound design companies in the industry. The iconic studio was founded by George Lucas himself in 1975 with the help of sound design expert Ben Burtt and it remains a keystone venture of Lucas’ Skywalker Ranch to this day. For over 45 years, the studio and its engineers have invigorated the Star Wars universe with uniquely immersive sound effects and musical productions. In addition to Star Wars, they have worked on several blockbuster franchises, including Indiana Jones and Jurassic Park. The studio also worked on a number of well-known series, such as David Fincher’s Mindhunter and Marvel’s WandaVision. They have received 15 Academy Awards for their work, as well as 62 nominations. As of this year, the engineers themselves have either won or been nominated for an Academy Award every year since 1977.

The teaser itself opens with a question from Supervising Sound Editor, Al Nelson. As if reciting a mission statement, he asks, “If you were to close your eyes and just listen to the sound, could you identify the movie and where we are in the movie?” The video fades to black as he speaks, while various recognizable sound effects play behind his voice (including the gurgling roar of a certain beloved co-pilot). This excerpt in particular is sure to be tantalizing for dedicated fans who have taken note of the various flagship sound effects that have persisted through decades of Star Wars film and television. Nelson follows his question with a resoundingly true statement: “Everything is just so iconic.”

Al Nelson sits at a desk, decked out with several Mac systems.

The video continues with documentary-style clips and commentary from several talented artists and engineers among the studio’s ranks, including Bonnie Wild, who may be best known for her award-winning mixes on The Mandalorian. André Fenley, who provided stellar sound design on films such as Fight Club, Iron Man, and The Lion King (2019) also makes an appearance. Multitudes of foley-work are shown in short clips, as is the extravagant audio production gear present in the facility. One such clip features a cougar’s roar being distorted and sampled, evoking the image of an ambiguously monstrous creature from the galaxy far, far away. The video ends with a message written in Aurebesh: a fictional script that was notably developed by Ben Burtt himself. The script distorts and changes to English, then reads as “Skywalker Sound” with the words “Behind the Mac” just below.

While certainly tantalizing, the teaser doesn’t divulge much information about the extent of coverage present in the imminent film, nor its length. With only one other video in the Behind the Mac series, the details of this new entry are left relatively opaque. Regardless, the film is sure to be riveting for fervent fans of the franchise, both old and new. Behind The Mac: Skywalker Sound will be available to stream on Apple’s YouTube channel Wednesday, May 4th.