The CAS are the Cinema Audio Society, founded in 1964. They began holding their own awards ceremonies in 1994. The reason the CAS don’t call themselves a guild (like the WGA, SAG, DGA, etc) is because the CAS are not a trade union. They exist specifically to “share information with Sound Professionals in the Motion Picture and Television Industry,” and for the past decade they’ve decided to join all the other professions in the film industry to honor their members who specialize in Sound Mixing. The perpetual confusion between Sound Mixing and Sound Editing is not helped much by the names they chose to call what they do. Many people are misled into thinking Sound Editing might mean “editing the sounds together” but nope, that’s what the Sound Mixers do. Sound Editors create and record the individual sounds. Sound Mixers then take each of those sounds and blend them all together into a balanced sound design.
2015 CAS Award winners:
Motion Picture, Live Action: Birdman
Motion Pictures, Animated: Big Hero 6
Television Series, 1 Hour: Game of Thrones, The Children
Television Movie or Mini Series: Sherlock: His Last Vow
Television Series, 1/2-Hour: Modern Family, Australia
Variety/Music/Specials: Foo Fighters Sonic Highways, Los Angeles
Technical Achievement Award, Production: Dante and MADI Audio Recorder model 970
Technical Achievement Award, Post Production: iZotope – RX4-Advance
2014 Student Recognition Award: Danny Maurer, University of Colorado Denver
2015 Filmmaker Award: Richard Linklater
2015 Career Achievement: David Macmillan
![2025 Oscars: Can a Late-Breaker Still Win Best Picture? [POLL]](https://www.awardsdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/gladiator-350x250.jpg)
**CORRECTION from earlier**
To simplify Matt’s explanation further,
Sound Editing is the collection and making of a film’s soundtrack,
while Sound Mixing is the entire soundtrack composite.
Sound Editing awards the gathering of the parts,
while Sound Mixing awards the whole package.
Good definitions thanks. It seems every other year I get them backwards for some reason.
“Sound Editing awards the parts,
while Sound Editing awards the whole.”
The second Sound Editing here should be Sound Mixing.
To simplify Matt’s explanation further,
Sound Editing is the collection and making of a film’s soundtrack,
while Sound Mixing is the entire soundtrack experience.
Sound Editing awards the parts,
while Sound Editing awards the whole.
thanks, Matt, fixed.
Actually you’ve added to the sound mixing and sound editing confusion. You got it backwards.
These are the correct definitions:
“Sound editing is the process by which sounds are sourced, created and captured. If you need the noise of a distressed zebra for Life of Pi, the sound editor gets it, either by recording a zebra or combining other sounds — an angry horse, a peeved weasel and producer Harvey Weinstein, for instance. Gunshot sounds for Skyfall, Django Unchained and Zero Dark Thirty also fall into this realm.
“Sound mixing, on the other hand, refers to the process of putting the sounds together for the film’s final track.”
Still waiting for the “final” precursor awards today – the Satellite Awards – before finalizing my Predictions.
And the disrespect of Christopher Nolan continues unabated.
Collin – CAS is Cinema Audio Society and these awards are for Sound Mixing.
oh, oops, ok Collin. I’ll fix that. Thanks. I was in shorthand mode last night.
[EDIT: alright, Collin, I added a brief explanation to this post. Thanks for reminding us that not every visitor to the site lives and breathes these things like the obsessive geeks so many of us are 🙂 ]
Am I the only one who doesn’t know what CAS awards are? Can’t believe they aren’t identified anywhere in this article assuming we all know all the acronyms of the industry.
“More guild support for Birdman, also winning Hair (!) award today”
Lemme guess: On account of Michael Keyton’s ’do . . . . xD
—
Anyway, in the ANIMATED FEATURE FILM (Oscar) category, I am rooting for the wondrous piece from Japan “THE TALE OF PRINCESS KAGUYA” all the way. . . . So, please, Academy voters, with sugar on top as well: at least go watch it (subbed version recommended) and, better still, #VOTE FOR IT (PRINCESS KAGUYA).
[Carrying a banner reading: Willing to work two shifts in their 90210 mansions/apartments or private islands, as well as running errands, for the voters who opt for KAGUYA] Well, seriously though: give it a chance, voters.
I was referring to all of the audio being recorded simultaneously on separate channels. I’m pretty sure that’d be mixing. Editing would involve cutting and addition of other sound effects. I’m pretty sure. I could be wrong.
For example: If you record an album and each instrument is recorded at the same time onto different channels you mix the channels together to your liking.
“I could see “Birdman” winning Sound Mixing at the Oscars. A lot of overlapping dialogue coupled with a constantly moving camera and multiple characters…”
That is sound editing.
I could see “Birdman” winning Sound Mixing at the Oscars. A lot of overlapping dialogue coupled with a constantly moving camera and multiple characters… I’d imagine that being a challenge to mix. Sound Editing on the other hand? Not so much. That’s usually reserved for more effect heavy films.
And at this point I don’t care what wins Best Animated feature because “Lego Movie” was obviously the favorite with the majority.
Maybe it got Afflecked? Everyone thought that everyone else would vote it a #1 so not many ended up doing it in favor of lesser known films.
I’ve only seen “HTTYD2” and I was VERY underwhelmed. I’d like “BH6” to take it just because it’s Disney and a Marvel movie.
Please please please please let Big Hero 6 win Animated next week
Sincerely,
T.
Wow, this IS a upset. I expected Interstellar or Sniper to take the Sound Mixing precursor award, but I’m not surprised either that Birdman prevailed here. It did have some cool explosions. It could really do the same at the Oscars (Remember when Slumdog Millionaire won for Best Sound Mixing in 2009 over Dark Knight and WALL-E?).
That being said, I still think American Sniper, Interstellar, or Whiplash are ahead in the Oscar Sound Mixing race. Nevertheless though, I also think we may be underestimating Birdman’s support in other technical branches aside from cinematography. Heck, it could win maybe as much as six or seven (if it wins BP, Director, Cinematography, Original Screenplay, Actor (maybe). Sound Editing (maybe), and Sound Mixing (maybe).
More guild support for Birdman, also winning Hair (!) award today
If Boyhood wins BP it would be a surprise at this point
This just shows Birdman’s industry support. I’m cool with that, even though it beat more flashy sound films.
Good for Big Hero 6. It’s wins here and at the VFX guild make me question HTTYD2’s industry support. Whatever. Even though Song of the Sea and Kaguya and of course the un-nominated Lego Movie would be more deserving winners in my book, I’d rather see BH6 win the Oscar rather than HTTYD2.
Cant believe there are still some experts still doubting Birdman. Also the best animated race is WIDE OPEN!
“Birdman wins. Why??”
I was genuinely confused when it got nominated, now I’m completely baffled that it’s won (and over Interstellar and American Sniper no less). Yes, I love the movie and think it’s the best of the year, but I didn’t think that anyone would take note of the sound. Should it win the Oscar though, I certainly won’t complain.
Birdman wins. Why??