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One of the many films to world premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival was writer/director Michael Tyburski and writer/producer Ben Nabors’ The Sound of Silence. The film, based on their short film Palimpsest (Special Jury Prize, 2013 Sundance Film Festival) is about a self-taught "house tuner" (played by Peter Sarsgaard) that provides sonic harmony to troubled Manhattan clients by visiting their homes and adjusting what’s plugged in. His practice provides help to people with fatigue, depression and anxiety. But when he meets a client (Rashida Jones) with a problem he can’t solve, his life starts to unravel. The film also stars Tony Revolori.

Shortly after seeing the film, I got to sit down with Peter Sarsgaard and Michael Tyburski for an exclusive video interview. During the wide-ranging conversation, they talked about being at Sundance, what the film is about, where the idea came from, the awesome opening shot (which is from some old documentary footage from the Department of Health in NYC from 1929), the great sound design and how they worked with Dolby on an Atmos mix, how even though it’s an invented profession they wanted it to feel like it was a real job, and a lot more.

Check out what they had to say in the player above and below is exactly what we talked about.

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Image via Kia Motors

Finally, I’d like to give special thanks to our Collider Studio partner, the all new 2020 Kia Telluride, who was transporting celebrities to our studio and debuting their all new Telluride, Kia’s first eight-passenger SUV that is several inches longer and wider than the brand’s award-winning Sorento.

Libations flowing at the Collider studio and parties were provided by LIFEWTR, Tequila Comisario, Sensi Tuscany Wines, Blue Moon Belgian White and Dragonfly Coffee Roasters. Food during the evening parties was provided by Greene St. Kitchen of Palms Casino Resort helmed by Chef Du Cuisine Lanny Chin. Brand partners also active during the day-part include mou, a luxury footwear and accessories line, and The Wild Immersion endorsed by Jane Goodall who was on-site with the world’s first ‘virtual reserve’.

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Image via IFC Films

Peter Sarsgaard and Michael Tyburski:

  • When did they hear about house tuning?
  • Michael talks about where the idea came from.
  • How even though it’s an invented profession he wanted it to feel like it was a real job.
  • How they were very into the tool bag.
  • How the opening shot came together?
  • How did they first meet and was Michael nervous before the meeting?
  • How Peter has absolute pitch.
  • What it meant to have Peter record the dialogue before filming on an audio recorder.
  • Peter talks about what he looks for on a project.
  • The great sound design and how they worked with Dolby on an Atmos mix.