The History of Sound

Location Set Decorator (UK)

Based on a short story by Ben Shattuck, The History of Sound is a beautifully written tale of two young men who set out to record the lives, voices and music of their American countrymen during the time of World War I and their travels across the world; from the US and Italy to the Lake District and Oxford.

Directed by Oliver Hermanus (Living, Mary & George) and designed by Deborah Jensen (Supervising Art Director; Maestro, West Side Story) .

Lake District Cottage

The History of Sound
A cozy bedroom with a wooden headboard, a pillow and blanket on the bed, a bedside table with a candle, a window with sunlight and shadows, and a window seat with folded blankets.
A vintage book titled 'The Holy Bible' is placed on a table. A small glass container holds artificial flowers with purple and pink petals, and the flowers have long green stems. The book has a dark cover texture with a leather strap tied around it, a

Research

  • Two paintings depicting rural cottages, one showing a woman in a black dress and white apron sitting in front of a brick cottage, the other showing a woman in a bonnet working at a wooden table outside a brick house, set in an artistic style with detailed brickwork, plants, and rustic furniture.
  • Paintings depicting the history of sound in a rustic cottage setting with women working and socializing.
  • Two paintings labeled "History of Sound," depicting cozy indoor scenes with women in vintage attire. The left painting shows a woman sewing at a table near a window with flowers, and the right painting depicts two women, one sewing and the other sitting, in a rustic cottage interior with a fireplace.
  • Two paintings depicting domestic scenes in a rustic cottage. The left painting shows two girls in old-fashioned clothing in a cluttered room with a wooden dresser and dishes, one sitting and the other standing with a toy. The right painting shows a woman sitting in a cozy room with a stone fireplace, a woman sitting in a rocking chair, and a dog on the floor, with warm, earthy tones and wooden beams.
  • A split-screen image showing two interior scenes from the Lake District Cottage. The left side depicts three elderly women sitting at a dining table with a tablecloth, tea cups, and a teapot, with wood-paneled walls and vintage decor. The right side shows a woman in a pink dress serving food at a table in a dimly lit room with dark wooden walls, a grandfather clock, and vintage furnishings.
  • Left image is an abstract painting of colorful, swirling clouds and a mountain, right image is a bedroom with a four-poster bed, floral wallpaper, and a small wooden side table.

Oxford University

Collage of four images showing interior rooms with wood paneling, stained glass windows, ornate lighting fixtures, and vintage furniture in a historic or classical style. The first image shows a close-up of a patterned pillow and embroidered fabric, the second a large hall with gothic windows and hanging lamps, the third a formal room with wooden paneling, and the fourth a cozy sitting area with a table, chairs, and stained glass windows.
Collection of five different curtain fabrics with various patterns and colors, including cream with red and pink floral design, green with diamond shapes, brown with floral pattern, olive green with gold crest emblems, and copper-colored with floral design, displayed in a row for interior decor options.
Various household textiles including a beige fabric, a cream rug, a red and brown patterned rug, an orange pillow, a green velvet pillow, and a striped pillow.
Two rugs with different patterns and colors. The rug on the left has a traditional design with red, blue, and beige colors. The rug in the middle and on the right is a light brown or tan colored tablecloth with a floral pattern and fringes at the edges.
Collection of various vintage and antique furniture items including a daybed, cabinets, tables, a fireplace mantel, and chairs in a storage or sale setting.
Collection of vintage and antique items including suitcases, wooden boxes, books, leather belts, a shield, and various small collectibles.
Various vintage and antique household items including a typewriter, jewelry box, wood furniture, clothing, and decorative objects in a storage or flea market setting.

Research

  • A collage illustrating the history of sound, featuring three images: a watercolor painting of a historic castle with a gate and people in the foreground, an interior photograph of a grand, ornate library with high ceilings, bookshelves, and a statue in the center, and a black-and-white photograph of Gothic architectural elements including arches and a decorative window, labeled as the "Student Room."
  • Two vintage black-and-white photographs are shown side by side. The left photo shows two young men sitting in a wood-paneled room with framed pictures on the wall, one sitting on a wooden chair and the other on a patterned armchair. The right photo shows a young man standing in a modest room with a fireplace, holding a book or notebook, with various picture frames and decorations on the mantel and wall.
  • A historical architectural drawing showing a floor plan and isometric view of a student room. The drawing is titled 'Proposed Addition to House Hostel,' dated May 1948, by Somerville College, Oxford, and includes labeled measurements and room details.
  • A black and white photo of a living room with a window, bookshelf, fireplace, and furniture including a chair and a sofa, with framed pictures and a lamp.
  • Two black-and-white photographs of historical student rooms. The left shows a room with five men, one standing and four seated, with a table, chairs, bookshelves, and wall art. The right shows a room with three men seated at a desk, surrounded by numerous pictures, books, and decorations on the wall. Below the images, there is descriptive text about the rooms' furnishings, water supply, and amenities.