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2009 6 min
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"A soundscape is any collection of sounds, almost like a painting is a collection of visual attractions," says composer R. Murray Schafer. "When you listen carefully to the soundscape it becomes quite miraculous." David New's portrait of the renowned composer becomes a lesson unto itself, gracing viewers (and listeners) with a singular moment of interactive subjectivity. This film was produced for the 2009 Governor General's Performing Arts Award.

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"A soundscape is any collection of sounds, almost like a painting is a collection of visual attractions," says composer R. Murray Schafer. "When you listen carefully to the soundscape it becomes quite miraculous." David New's portrait of the renowned composer becomes a lesson unto itself, gracing viewers (and listeners) with a singular moment of interactive subjectivity. This film was produced for the 2009 Governor General's Performing Arts Award.

Music All subjects
Fascinating People All channels
  • recipient
    R. Murray Schafer
  • writer
    David New
  • director
    David New
  • editor
    David New
  • producer
    Gerry Flahive
  • director of photography
    Michael Grippo
  • sound recordist
    Igal Petel
  • sound design
    Garnet Willis
    David Matthews
  • mix
    Garnet Willis
    David Matthews
  • gaffer
    Josh Pelham
  • grip
    Robert Barton-Taylor
  • generator operator
    Michael Pruess
  • production manager
    Amanda Coles
  • online editor
    Andrew Mandziuk
  • post picture facility
    Fearless Films
  • post sound facility
    Noisetree
  • production coordinator
    Rachel Punwassie
  • centre administrator
    Josiah Rothenberg
  • technical coordinator
    Marcus Matyas
  • production supervisor
    Mark Wilson
  • rights clearances
    Elizabeth Klinck
  • marketing manager
    Kay Leung
  • executive producer
    Silva Basmajian

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Education

Ages 9 to 14
School subjects
Arts Education - Music Civics/Citizenship - Ideologies Science - Physical Science
Make an anchor chart on “Sound.” View film and add ideas to chart. Have students use words from chart to create a short written piece or make a collage. Have students produce a 60-second sound clip using different types of sounds: music, animals, ambient noise, digital sources. Include a log of sounds used and the desired effect/impact of the sounds. Discuss the statement “We are the composers.”
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