The Bear' Sound Mixers Explain Why a Quiet Episode Is Harder Than a Crazy One

Sound mixers from FX’s The Bear say it’s harder to mix a quieter episode because the production can’t rely on chaos to mask imperfections. For Season 4’s “Scallop,” the re-recording mixer Steve “Major” Giammaria—one of five nominees for Outstanding Sound Mixing—described how understated sound design and long music cues require precise control of dialogue clarity. Music choices drift through restaurant scenes, including tracks such as St. Vincent’s “Slow Disco,” the Ronettes’ “(The Best Part of) Breakin’ Up,” Van Morrison’s “Slim Slow Slider/Start Breaking Down,” and Dion’s “Only You Know.” Giammaria and production mixer Scott D. Smith shared their nomination with ADR mixer Patrick Christensen and Foley mixers Ryan Collison and Connor Nagy.