Master Classes are in-depth, interactive learning experiences focused on craft and career building and led by renowned industry experts. Topics include fiction and documentary filmmaking, TV writing and production, and navigating and succeeding in the entertainment industry. 


Dialogue levels, sound effects, room tone, foley…you may not think about these things when you’re watching a film, but you would certainly notice them if they were not done expertly. While a blurry shot or grainy film stock may be considered an artistic choice, bad sound can not be overlooked. Join us for this Master Class in partnership with the Dolby Creator Lab to find out why sound is in fact the most important part of your film or series.


Led by an experienced sound designer, this three-hour introductory session on post-production audio will teach you everything you need to know about hiring and working with your sound team. You’ll have an opportunity to ask questions and learn from real world examples.


Whether you are a director looking for a better understanding of sound, a producer who wants to build stronger collaborations, or are exploring a career in sound design, don’t miss this opportunity to learn from an expert in the field.


Exclusive Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos Demos

Get ready for the conversation and learn about the power of Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos by watching exclusive demos in the Dolby XP app. Download the Dolby XP app on your iPhone, iPad, Android or Apple TV from the App Store or Google Play. Use the VIP Code COLLAB to unlock access to the Dolby Creator Lab x Sundance Collab room. Check out our Get Started Guide for setup tips and more.


If you would benefit from an accommodation to fully participate in this event, please complete this form, contact us at (435) 776-7790, or email us at accessibility@sundance.org to discuss your specific requests. Every effort will be made to accommodate advance requests; however, requests made within 5 days of the event may not be guaranteed.


Thanks to the generosity of Dolby Creator Lab, this Sundance Collab Master Class is free to attend. A recording of this Master Class will be posted to our Video Library the business day following the session and access will remain free for one year.


Presented in Conjunction with


Michael Kurihara
Michael A H Kurihara is a Supervising Sound Editor and Re-Recording Mixer based out of New York, NY. His Narrative Feature credits include VAMPIRES VS. THE BRONX (Dir. Osman Rodriguez), MASTER GARDENER (Dir. Paul Schrader), and SWALLOW (Dir. Carlo Mirabella-Davis). His Documentary Feature credits include RISK (Dir. Laura Poitras) and MICHAEL MOORE IN TRUMPLAND (Dir. Michael Moore). His Broadcast TV/Streaming credits include Season 2 of LOS ESPOOKYS (Dir. Ana Fabrega) and Seasons 1-3 of JOE PERA TALKS WITH YOU (Dir. Marty Schousboe). Michael holds an MFA in Cello Performance from NYU and learned the craft of Post Production Audio while working at Sound One and later Technicolor-Postworks. His other credits include PIERCING (Dir. Nicolas Pesce), PAINT (Dir. Brit McAdams) and TYREL (Dir. Sebastian Silva). more...
Glenn Kiser
Director of Dolby Creator Lab
Glenn Kiser is the Director of the Dolby Creator Lab, Dolby’s initiative to bring education and inspiration to filmmakers and content creators about the creative use of sound and picture in storytelling. Previously, Kiser was the VP & General Manager of Lucasfilm’s Skywalker Sound, where he oversaw sound work on film projects such as AVATAR, THE INCREDIBLES, the STAR WARS prequels, THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON, and the PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN and HARRY POTTER films. more...
Erica Elson
Moderator | Digital Course & Event Producer
Erica Elson is a Producer, Writer and Educator based in the mountains outside Los Angeles. Her short film, WING NIGHT, premiered at Method Fest in Los Angeles. She is the co-author of the book THE AWKWARD HUMAN SURVIVAL GUIDE and co-hosted a podcast by the same name on the 5by5 network for five years. Elson's articles have been published by HuffPost, Lifehacker, and Reader's Digest. Prior to working in education, she worked in television development and writers’ rooms such as VH1’s HINDSIGHT, where she had the chance to write for the spinoff web series PLANET SEBASTIAN. more...

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