"Les Miserables" has been named the best work of 2012 by the Cinema Audio Society, a non-profit organization that honors the art of sound mixing in film and television.
The film, for which director Tom Hooper recorded his actors singing live on the set, was considered the favorite for the CAS Award and for the sound-mixing Oscar. In addition to working with vocal tracks recorded in difficult circumstances, its mixers had to contend with prominent orchestral music throughout the film's near three-hour running time.
Also read: For 'Les Miserables' Sound Mixing, a Challenge Dealing With Live Vocals
Three of the five nominees matched the Oscar nominees in the sound mixing category. "Skyfall," "Les Miserables" and "Lincoln" were nominated by both groups, but the CAS added "The Hobbit" and "Zero Dark Thirty" while Academy voters went for "Argo" and "Life of Pi."
In its 19-year history, the CAS winner has matched the Oscar winner 10 times, including three of the last four years.
In the animation category, which the CAS handed out for the first time this year, Pixar's "Brave" picked up its second award of the night, following its victory across town at the ACE Eddie Awards. Although "Wreck-It Ralph" and "ParaNorman" won many more critics' awards, "Brave" has established itself as a clear favorite of the Hollywood guilds.
The drama series "Homeland," and comedy series "Modern Family" and the TV miniseries "Hatfields & McCoys" won television awards.
Production sound mixer Chris Newman received the CAS Career Achievement Award, while director Jonathan Demme was given the CAS Filmmaker Award.
On Sunday night, the Motion Picture Sound Editors will hold its own awards ceremony to salute achievements in sound editing.
Motion Pictures – Live Action: "Les Misérables," Simon Hayes, Andy Nelson, Mark Paterson, Jonathan Allen, Robert Edwards and Pete Smith Motion Pictures – Animated: "Brave," Bobby Johanson, Tom Johnson, Gary Rydstrom, Andrew Dudman and Frank Rinella Television Movies and Mini-Series: "Hatfields & McCoys," Part 1, Dragos Stanomir, Christian Cooke, Brad Zoern, Jeffrey A. Vaughn, Eric Apps and Peter Persaud Television Series – One Hour: "Homeland: Beirut is Back," Larry Long, Nello Torri, Alan M. Decker, Paul Drenning and Shawn Kennelly Television Series – Half-hour: "Modern Family: Disneyland," Stephen A. Tibbo, Dean Okrand and Brian R. Harman Television – Non-Fiction, Variety or Music - Series or Specials: "The 2012 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony," Brian Riordan and Jamie Ledner Technical Achievement Award, Production: Sound Devices – 664 Field Production Mixer with Recorder Technical Achievement Award, Post-Production: Dolby – Atmos CAS Career Achievement Award: Chris Newman CAS Filmmaker Honoree: Jonathan Demme