Beijing Film Academy

Overview

The Beijing Film Academy (BFA) is China’s only educational film production academy and the largest film academy in Asia. Founded in 1952, BFA developed a multilevel, multidisciplinary cultivation system that embraces the entire spectrum of filmmaking. These disciplines include production, creation, and research for training advanced film talents. Accomplished BFA graduates include such award-winning directors as Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, Tian Zhuangzhuang, Jia Zhangke and cinematographer/director Gu Changwei. In 2017 BFA Sound School Chief Sound Engineer, Sean Song proposed the addition of a state-of-the-art Film Scoring Stage. With the approval of the BFA Management Group, the project was awarded to WSDG.

Program

An outmoded fifty-year-old studio occupying a 2600 SF space on the BFA campus was the obvious site for the new Film Scoring Stage. Engaging their entire 60+ member global team of designers, architects, acousticians, systems integrators and project managers, and working closely with Sean Song and a team of BFA professors, WSDG developed a sprawling complex encompassing the entire original 2600 SF space and featuring a 1550 SF Live Room capable of hosting an entire 50+ member symphonic orchestra. In addition to impeccable acoustics, the live room also features large screen film projection for the conductor, composers, and musicians. The complex includes a spacious 540 SF Control Room, a smaller Practice Room and a Sound Lock.

Design

Developed to host instructors and up to five students seated in the rear, the Control Room was precisely designed to provide students with visual connectivity to the instructor at the mixing position and to the orchestra in the Live Room. Acoustic concerns were addressed by the installation of a large custom rear-wall resonator and a custom-designed ceiling cloud. Fabric covered front and side-wall resonators fine-tuned listening quality throughout the room.