| Skywalker Sound | |
| Type: | Division |
| Former Names: | Sprocket Systems (1975-1987) |
| Founder: | George Lucas |
| Location: | Skywalker Ranch |
| Location City: | Lucas Valley, California |
| Location Country: | United States |
| Key People: | Josh Lowden (General Manager of Skywalker Sound) Leslie Ann Jones |
| Num Employees: | 160 |
| Parent: | Lucasfilm Ltd. |
| Industry: | Sound effects, Sound editing and Remastering |
Skywalker Sound is the American sound effects, sound editing, sound design, sound mixing and music recording division of Lucasfilm. Founded in 1975, the company's main facilities are located at George Lucas's Skywalker Ranch in Lucas Valley, near Nicasio, California.[1]
Skywalker Sound was founded as Sprocket Systems in San Anselmo, California.
While located in San Anselmo, Sprocket Systems came into contact with the local residents from time to time. For instance, Kentfield resident Pat Welsh was "discovered" while shopping at a camera store and went on to provide the voice for E.T. During the sound recording of Raiders of the Lost Ark, Harrison Ford practiced his bullwhip technique in the parking lot.[2]
Sprocket Systems moved from San Anselmo following a disastrous flood in January 1982. The company changed its name to Skywalker Sound in 1987 after the company moved to Skywalker Ranch.
Skywalker Sound's staff of sound designers and re-recording mixers have either won or been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Sound and Best Sound Editing every year since Star Wars in 1977; in that year, Ben Burtt was given a Special Achievement Award, since the category for Sound Editing had not yet been established. Skywalker Sound has won 15 Academy Awards and received 62 nominations.
Mixing stages, editorial services, and scoring stages are all located in a central "Tech Building," with dining areas and living quarters in the vicinity but separate from the main work area.
In 2012, The Walt Disney Company acquired Skywalker Sound as part of its purchase of Lucasfilm.
Any film with an asterisk means that though Skywalker Sound did not provide the sound, a creative worked on it.