Meet Steve Lee | Film Sound Designer, Founder of The Hollywood Sound Museum

We had the good fortune of connecting with Steve Lee and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Steve, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
.After having a career in film sound design for many years, I decided to channel all the knowledge I absorbed into something that I could share with everyone, so I started The Hollywood Sound Museum. During the pandemic, we built up a following on Patreon where we host webinars and audio programs to share the craft of entertainment audio. And right now we’re gearing up to move into a physical location for people to visit in person. Film sound is probably one of the least understood crafts of filmmaking – even amongst seasoned pros in the business. I hope to help change that… and to emphasize how important sound to storytelling. It’s not just a technical process… but an artistic, creative one. I’m looking forward to sharing all that soon. And I hope your readers would like to learn more about it, and help make it happen! They can go to HollywoodSoundMuseum.org to learn more.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I was always interested in film sound when I was growing up. My dad worked in the business as a writer and consultant to science fiction films, so I watched lots of movies. And I was very lucky to join a great company that was working on some of the biggest films at the time! Gremlins, RoboCop, Beetlejuice… And right after I started, we got involved in creating the sound effects for several Disney animated features! Beauty and the Beast, Lion King, Aladdin. It was an amazing time.

As I said, I’m channeling all that I learned there into The Hollywood Sound Museum. And I’m gratified that all the friends I’ve made along the way are helping to make it happen. It was tough, getting started in the midst of Covid… but it really helped us plan and strategize, and build a lot of great content online. Soon we’ll be opening in a real location where we’ll have lectures, exhibits, presentations of *audio art,* and much much more!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am a huge fan of Hollywood history. I grew up here and love visiting all the historic places that helped make this town great, and are a part of so much film history. I have quite a few friends who let me know when they’re in town so I can take them on little tours! I have a bunch of favorite spots I love to take them to.

If you want to visit a movie studio, The Warner Bros studio tour is one of the best. Unlike Universal’s – which has gotten a little too commercial for my tastes – the WB tour is filled with great history, and you can actually walk around on the historic back lot where countless great films were made.

If you like chili dogs… Pink’s on the northwest corner of La Brea and Melrose is the BEST. Their chili is amazing. I went often with my dad when I was young, before it turned into a phenomenon with lines around the block. If you want to avoid the crowds, I suggest going as early as possible, before the lunch rush.

The Roosevelt Hotel is the epitome of Hollywood class. All the great stars of the day came here. It was the site of the first Academy Awards! I will occasionally stay here to get away and hide… and pretend I’m a Hollywood screenwriter finishing rewrites on some blockbuster while sipping MaiTais poolside. I’m not sure if they still offer tours, but I’d recommend it if they do!

Larry Edmunds Bookstore on Hollywood Boulevard has been there forever, You can find books and memorabilia there to satisfy the most ardent movie snob. My dad and I had a weekend ritual of going there and browsing their collection. I remember bumping into our director friends Joe Dante and John Landis there on several occasions – it’s definitely loved by fans and pros alike.

No tour of Hollywood is complete without a visit to Musso & Frank’s on the Boulevard. Their Martini is – in my opinion – the best on the planet.

…And although at the time of the interview, we haven’t opened yet… I would certainly have to suggest a visit to The Hollywood Sound Museum when we do! We’ll have some fun stuff to share… so keep checking HollywoodSoundMuseum.org for updates!

For more ideas, check out my new podcast: Hollywood Cocktails with Steve and Laura! We’re always talking about fun places we’ve visited. It’s on Spotify right now, and we have a FB page: @SteveAndLauraPodcast

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My dear pal Laura Chirinos has been my muse for a while now. She’s a creative angel who has worked in so many aspects of filmmaking, so she knows the highs and lows of what we go through daily. She and I just started a podcast about that very subject, actually: Hollywood Cocktails with Steve and Laura. She’s a brilliant co-conspirator and a loyal friend. Thank you, Laura… love you.

Website: HollywoodSoundMuseum.org

Facebook: Facebook.com/SteveLeeHwd