'Mad Max' sound designer Mark Mangini was inspired by 'Moby Dick'

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The War Rig in "Mad Max: Fury Road" — Sound designer Mark Mangini says the war rig in "Mad Max: Fury Road" is meant to be Moby Dick on wheels.

Mangini and his partner David White have an Oscar nomination for making the massive truck that Charlize Theron's character drives sound like a living beast.

“Mad Max: Fury Road” is an intense action film that uses mostly real stunts. It’s surprising because the majority of action films now rely heavily on digital tricks and computer-generated images.

Mad Max Trailer

But there’s one element in “Mad Max” where fiction plays a huge role in creating a believable atmosphere — the film’s sound. Mark Mangini is the sound designer behind the film and he’s nominated for an Oscar this year (along with David White) for sound editing.

The Frame’s James Kim spoke with Mangini about how a famous novel inspired his approach to “Mad Max: Fury Road."

INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

What inspired you to create the sounds for "Mad Max"?

Mad Max scene

Was there a particular scene that you worked on that emphasizes your work on the film?

What do you want the audience to take away from your work on the film?