The removal of two National Film Awards in the sound category stirred controversy

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The exclusion of sound mixing and sync sound categories from this year’s National Film Awards has stirred controversy. Audiographers’ unions and sound designers have accused the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry of taking a unilateral decision without consultation.

Until 2008, the sound category had just one award for Best Audiography. In 2009, the award was further sub-categorised into three for Location Sound Recordist, Sound Designer and Re-recordist of Final Mixed Track. However, when the notification was issued this year inviting entries for the National Awards 2022, all the three categories were replaced by one category for Best Sound Designer.

“This decision is illogical and shows little understanding of the technicalities of sound in cinema. They have suddenly decided to discontinue these awards without any discussion with the stakeholders. There have been instances in the past where films that were not shot using sync sound (sound recording during filming) were awarded for sync sound. Instead of rectifying this, they have removed all these categories. We are seeking an appointment with the ministers to explain to them that this is unfair,” said sound designer Resul Pookutty, who won the Academy Award for Best Sound Mixing in 2009. the hindu,

‘gloomy’

Jikku M. Joshi, who handled the production sound mixing for the National Award-winning film AattamHe said the decision to cancel the awards was discouraging.

“It is discriminatory that the art of production sound is not valued. If the production sound mixer does not properly record on-location dialogues and effects, the sound designer cannot create an aesthetic soundscape to aid the narrative. In the next step, the sound mixing engineer decides how the film will sound in theatres and on streaming platforms. These are different trades and it is unfair to exclude one of them,” said Jikku.

‘Representations sent’

According to sound mixing engineer Ajith Abraham George, vice-president of the Cine Audiographers Association of Kerala (affiliated to the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA)), representations were sent from FEFKA, as well as the sound engineers unions of Chennai and Mumbai, after the National Awards entry notification was released, but there has been no response from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Directorate of Film Festivals or the National Film Awards Cell.

Mr. George said, “No committee has recommended discontinuing these awards. So, whom did the government officials consult before taking such a decision?” The Kerala State Film Awards continue to confer good awards in three different categories.

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