Chris Watson is one of the world’s leading recorders of wildlife and natural phenomena, and for Touch he edits his field recordings into a filmic narrative. For example. the unearthly groaning of ice in an Icelandic glacier is a classic example of, in Watson’s words, putting a microphone where you can’t put your ears. He was born in Sheffield where he attended Rowlinson School and Stannington College (now part of Sheffield College). In 1971 he was a founding member of the influential Sheffield-based experimental music group Cabaret Voltaire. His sound recording career began in 1981 when he joined Tyne Tees Television. Since then he has developed a particular and passionate interest in recording the wildlife sounds of animals, habitats and atmospheres from around the world. As a freelance recordist for film, tv & radio, Chris Watson specialises in natural history and documentary location sound together with track assembly and sound design in post production.

Within Eufònic Campus 2018, Chris Watson proposes a three-day walk through the natural spaces of the Ebre Delta, with all its wealth of fauna and natural phenomena. In the sessions, field work will be combined with critical listening and training in recording techniques, experimenting with microphones, hydrophones and parabolic reflectors. Although there will be available professional technical devices that can be used throughout the workshop, it is recommended that attendees provide all the material they consider interesting to participate in the workshop.

 

With the support of