A red carpet lined with gold markings lead to the stage. There were two chairs, a stool, and a podium in front of a gigantic painting of a cathedral. The audience mumbled quietly with excitement and curiosity while waiting for the speaker to take the stage in a filled room at the University of Georgia Chapel at 4 p.m. on Thursday. The track lights unexpectedly glared onto the stage and the audience was silenced.
Dr. Hugh Ruppersberg, the Senior Associate Dean of Franklin College of Arts and Sciences walked to the podium to introduce the speaker. Fred Newman, a well-known sound artist and University of Georgia alum, then took the stage after great anticipation. He immediately began his presentation using sound effects and body movements which brought an uproar of laughter and applause from the crowd. “Do you believe a grown man does this for a living,” Newman asked the audience as he finished his last sound effect and began his speech.
Fred Newman, a LaGrange native, graduated from the University of Georgia in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in economics and later earned an MBA at Harvard. As he recalled his years at the University of Georgia, he explained the vast differences of the atmosphere from then to now. Newman remembered the university as “tight fixed”. However on his visit to the university from February 22-25 as a Willson Center for Humanities and Arts Visiting Artist, he realized how much has changed. “It is back to being a child, there’s a sense of wonder and play,” said Newman as he described the sense of a new-found creativity. The audience then applauded as Newman asked them to honor this university and its faculty and students.
Newman is known for his work on the NPR radio show “Prairie Home Companion” as well as shows such as “Doug” and “Between the Lions”, for which he won two Emmys. As he related personal stories, he punctuated them with sounds such as a gargling water, barking dogs, and helicopter noises that caused the crowd to laugh hysterically. He continued to delight the audience as he used the voice of a small baby to explain how he loves to collect voices.
He learned to listen and imitate sounds as he sat under an oak tree with his uncle. His uncle sat him on his lap and told him to be quiet and just listen. Newman noticed that the winds and the whistling of the trees were all different. He then learned that “everyday you gotta listen, gotta stop.”
When it came time for questions, several audience members raised their hands, eager to request a sound effect. One lady asked for a demonstration of a helicopter. Newman laughed and explained, “you do this by inhaling, pucker lips, and then flutter behind it.” Another audience member requested a steam engine which Newman was pleased to exhibit but added that the best way to create these sounds was to shake a box of cans to get the extra metal effect. He then placed his hand over his mouth, moved close to the microphone and began to blow in and out. He then whistled to represent the steam blowing from the engine. Again, the crowd clapped in amazement at his artistic gift.
After many demonstrations of sound effects, Newman moved to a more serious note. He explained that the best corporations in America are investing 20 percent of profits in research and development. “They are willing to take a walk without knowing the destination.” He said that everyday he does something without knowing the results and that is crucial to discovering news ways of creating sound effects.
While he explained the various influences in his life, Newman mentioned a former professor, Dr. Bill Hale. Newman recounted that Hale said “the greatest gift you can give someone is your presence.” He explained how much of an impact those few simple words had on his career. Suddenly, emotions soared as Newman realized that Dr. Bill Hale was sitting in the audience.
Newman received roaring applause at the end of his speech. There was a rush to be the first person to shake Newman’s hand, take pictures and speak with him, hopeful to learn more of his secrets.
