
Tom Fleischman: Cinema, Scorsese & The Art of the Mix
Tom Fleischman: Cinema, Scorsese & the Art of the Mix
In this immersive episode, Steve Otis Gunn chats with Oscar-winning re-recording mixer Tom Fleischman to uncover the nuanced, behind-the-scenes craft of cinematic sound. With decades of experience, Tom offers a rare glimpse into the audio side of filmmaking, where emotion is built not just through visuals, but through every carefully chosen sound.
From his early days splicing tape by ear to mixing iconic films like Goodfellas, School of Rock, and The Irishman, Tom shares personal stories and surprising insights from his legendary collaborations, especially with Martin Scorsese. The conversation spans the evolution of sound editing, the intuition behind great mixes, and why sometimes the hardest thing to get right is a single vowel.
Highlights include:
- The challenges and creativity behind mixing films such as Hugo and Gangs of New York
- What a re-recording mixer actually does—and why it’s more grit than glamour
- The mystery and magic of cataloguing forgotten sound effects
- Behind-the-scenes tales from awards season, including rejection and red carpet drama
- The art of “invisible” mixing and why audio is the ultimate cinematic illusion
Packed with anecdotes—like Daniel Day-Lewis bringing intensity and precision even to his ADR sessions, and Jack Nicholson’s Oscar-night wisdom—this episode is a must-listen for filmmakers, sound enthusiasts, or anyone curious about how the soul of a film is often found in what we hear.
🏆 About Tom Fleischman
Tom Fleischman is an Academy Award-winning re-recording mixer with a career spanning over four decades. Known for his collaborations with directors like Martin Scorsese, Jonathan Demme, and Robert Redford, Tom’s fingerprints are on countless classic films, from Silence of the Lambs to The Devil Wears Prada. His craft—equal parts science and intuition—has shaped the soundtrack of modern cinema.
🔗 Connect with Tom Fleischman
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Podcast: Television Times with Steve Otis Gunn
Host: Steve Otis Gunn
Guest: Tom Fleischman – Oscar-winning Re-recording Mixer
Duration: 49 minutes
Release Date: June 8, 2025
Season: 4, Episode 4
All music written and performed in this podcast by Steve Otis Gunn
Please buy my book You Shot My Dog and I Love You, available in all good bookshops and online.
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