For more than seventy years now, filmmakers have been using and reusing a particular scream. Without a doubt, this is Hollywood’s most famous sound effect. Many people even know it by name. But despite how widely-known this sound is, lots of people still don’t know its surprising origin story. To set the record straight, we’ve remixed one of our classic, ear ... Show More
Jul 13
Eurovision Song Contest: Inside the Gimmicks & Glamour
For millions of people, Eurovision is a cultural institution, and one of the biggest live television events on Earth. But for many Americans, it remains a complete mystery. In this episode, producer Andrew Anderson takes Dallas and Grace on a joyful crash course through the histo ... Show More
33m 56s
Jun 15
John Williams: A Composer’s Legacy
In our last episode, we followed composer John Williams from his childhood to his 1970s run with Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. Now, we pick up the story as John enters an era of seemingly impossible success… from Raiders of the Lost Ark to Home Alone, Jurassic Park, Schindle ... Show More
38m 51s
Jun 1
John Williams: A Composer’s Life
John Williams has written some of the most famous film scores ever, from Star Wars to Indiana Jones to Jurassic Park. But before the blockbuster success, there was a kid growing up around jazz musicians in New York, and a young composer trying to find his voice. In this episode, ... Show More
35m 37s
Jun 2018
What Is Music's 'Word' for Death?
Composers use musical references to classics in their own work to help create mood -- and as a wink at other music lovers. Learn how one such reference, 'Dies Irae', or 'The Day of Wrath', is often used in film soundtracks in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-c ... Show More
4m 43s
Sep 2022
Wait, How Do I Know It's Funny? A Rollicking History of Laugh Tracks
<p>We've all heard them. You're watching or hearing a show, a character says something, and -- boom! -- an invisible choir of audience members loses their minds in riotous laughter, awws, or applause. But how did where does this come from? In today's episode, we're learning how t ... Show More
47m 38s
Dec 2024
How To Create Movie Sex Sounds
What are the unassuming every day items that foley artists, those who create sound fx, use to create iconic moments of sound?
Spotify Wrapped has become a cultural moment, how does it work?
Eating scenes on screen. Do actors really eat a load of food and how do they deliver the ... Show More
32m 53s
