2016年10月19日 星期三

[Adventure in Leeds] Masterclass with Dolby

" Sound has been unappreciated by people. Like the temperature, if it is too hot or too cold, it is! If it's comfortable, no one will say anything about it. "

Today I experienced the Atmos playback although it is not my first time to watch films either in a Atmos theatre or an approved studio, I was amazed again when I was watching clips demonstrated by Dolby. I've seen some of them in 7.1 cinema or in stereo at home but I'm touched again by what possibility aural could contribute to visual and how immersive it could be that I have tears in my eyes after a live clip of a rock band.

I'm surprised that I can follow up the lecture when a staff asked us if we enjoy it and can we understand what the lecturer was talking since even she can't. Many things have been clarified these days following my study here. And I couldn't help to think of that day I walked into my Boss' studio to tell him that I want to quit and go abroad to study. He barely looked into my eyes and said to me disappointedly " I really don't get what you young people are thinking...We have such great environment and equipment. You are in the industry, this is the reality. Why go all along and spend so much money to do what you can do here? "

It is the first and once the only Atmos Studio approved by Dolby in Taiwan but I didn't get much chance to learn things in a proper way. Everything came rush and vague, every tasks had given rules to followed without a clear explanation. Huge amounts of cases that everyone has to work overtime. I respect my boss since he knows a lot but he doesn't really has the time and the ability to pass them down. No training for new staff and no advanced education opportunity for existing staff.

I realised what I've learn from my ex-company, I also realised how much I didn't learn while the lecturer was explaining the differences assign between traditional channels and Atmos system, what does bed do what does object function, how to do panning, etc. And there was a moment when he ask how many people heard of M&E already. Only few of student know but I actually done some before. I understand although it might not be a joyful experience but I shall be grateful to everything I've been through. Without all the motivations, I won't be here.

OK! Quickly describe a bit the masterclass. We had the lecture and demonstration in a cinema! Watching the slide through a theatre projector and huge screen!!! Isn't it exciting? Dolby also provide lunch hahah~ And I'll give 50 points to Dolby for using traditional Chinese in their slide. I appreciated that as much as I appreciate good sound.