The Audio Suite completes ultra-realistic soundtrack for film of rugby’s darker side

Nov 2 2009 by Graeme Brown, Birmingham Post

A Birmingham sound studio has finished work on an ultra-realistic soundtrack for a film into rugby’s darker side.

The Audio Suite, in Digbeth, gave an ‘on the pitch’ feel to the soundtrack of hard-hitting short film Studs. Its award-winning writer and director Simon Bovey said the film’s post-production had given an edgy soundtrack to match its storyline. Studs, a sports thriller, is to be premiered tomorrow by Screen West Midlands, in partnership with the UK Film Council.

Sound designer Neil Hillman, who runs the digital audio post-production facility, was invited by Bovey to give ‘bite’ to the film, and drew on his experiences of playing the game to craft a film with heightened reality. Bovey said: “It works very well, from the audio side, with brutal effects conveying the crunch moments.”

Studs centres on Zack Rocca, star of his team, playing with a Premiership scout watching. If he shines, he could have a national career. But there are consequences that cost one player his life and another his future. The Audio Suite also contributes to drama series Spooks, Hustle and Survivors.