FXF_S02EP06_SOUND EDITOR, DAN SABLE: Working with Woody Allen and Brian DePalma 

In Brian DePalma’s 1981 film Blow Out, the main character is a sound effects specialist who accidentally records a murder while collecting night sounds for his effects library. The inspiration for this character was Dan Sable, a New York-based sound editor and a collaborator of DePalma’s on nine of his films including, Carrie, Dressed to Kill and Blow Out. Dan Sable built a career as a sound editor working on films such as Annie Hall and Manhattan and multiple films with Woody Allen. Other directors with whom he collaborated include Bob Fosse, Volker Schlorndorff, Ron Howard and Jonathan Demme.

This interview was recorded in Dan Sable’s home home by Ira Spiegel and Shari Johanson for Frame By Frame and may be included in an forthcoming documentary on the new York Post Facility Sound One. Here, Dan talks about how he got his start in the film business, specifically in working with filmmaker Brian dePalma, how he successfully transitioned from working in analog and adapted to the  tools of the digital era. He begins by discussing the difference between taking on the position of sound editor versus sound supervisor

Frame By Frame is a podcast series hosted by editor Isabel Sadurni, that introduces you to the most influential, respected and accomplished cinema post-production professionals working in New York today. Through intimate, informal discussions between collaborators about post-production craft, aesthetics, process and technique, we’ll recognize and celebrate the iconic films and people that have made New York film history as well as those contemporaries who continue to make important contributions to the art of filmmaking. In conversations anchored by the film editor, we’ll share the stories that define New York as an essential ongoing capital of the global film industry.

Proudly presented by the Post New York Alliance and the New York Motion Picture Editors Guild.

Produced by Isabel Sadurni, Shari Johanson and Ben Baker.

Photo credit: In Brian dePalma's 1981 film, Blow Out, John Travolta stars as a sound recordist and editor, based on his real-life collaborator, Dan Sable.