Song #20: Action Billed (2012)

I've now been in the post-production sound business longer than I was in the music business (that's kind of sad, but the money's been steady so I shouldn't complain: insert smallest violin here).
Still there are many parallels between both businesses.
A band, a producer, and an engineer working together creatively in a recording studio is not that much different than actors, a director, and a crew working together on a film-stage.
Both scenarios involve a benevolent dictatorship combined with presumed cooperation, that to an outsider may seem chaotic, but upon closer inspection is almost ballet-like in execution. Everyone works together with a common goal (hit-song or blockbuster) in mind.

This song was inspired by a colleague "leaving" the film business, but the song took on a life of it's own, and became a tribute to all the people who work in the film business.
It takes a village to make an album, and a big city to make a movie, and it is exhilarating, frustrating, and humbling for me to be a small part of the process.

Action Bill

On the largest sound-stage in the world

Stands an actor with a cool stark face

On the largest sound-stage in the world

It's a ballet of the human race

Behind the scenes

There's a grip with a whip, and a dolly, and a bull

Behind the scenes

There's a driver resting pretty full

Behind the scenes

There's an extra playing off the best boys

Behind the scenes

There's a trailer making too much noise

Hit the lights

Roll sound

It's action Bill

In the smallest edit-bay in the world

Sits a picture of a cool stark face

In the smallest edit-bay in the world

There's a single frame that's out of place

Behind the scenes

A trashcan overflows with Red Bull

Behind the scenes

There's an Avid bin looking pretty full

Behind the scenes

The director's starting to annoy

Behind the scenes

When the match-frame works it's so much joy

Hit the lights

Roll sound

It's action Bill

Lock it up and copy that action

One more take we'll make satisfation

Lock it up and copy that action

One more take we'll fake satisfaction

And the car spins around in the 5.1 sound

And crash and explosion's divine

As the golden hour goes into grace

I'd be lying if I told you the time

Britt Bacon: keyboards, vocals

Ira Ingber: guitars

Alan Morse: guitars

Richy Stano: guitars

Special thanks to David, Tad, Brett, Dan, Kevin, Andre, Leslie, John, John, John, Joshua, Daniel, Donnie, Drew, and Jessica for their voice-over talents.
Extra special thanks to Sam for the set jargon!

Control room picture courtesy of Ben Swets

Written by Britt Bacon 

©2012

Source: digital audio tracks 48k.