Innovation & Technology Sound for the Moving Image

Lewis Davidson

(He/Him)

I’m a sound designer who first got into audio production at WSC. After that, I studied Audio Technology at Glasgow Caledonian University, and then moved on to the Sound for the Moving Image course at Glasgow School of Art. That’s where I really started to develop my skills and understanding of sound.

Learning about the history of sound artists has had a big impact on how I work. It gave me a strong base to build on, and encouraged me to try out different recording techniques. I started using things like hydrophones, EMF recorders, and ultrasonic microphones. Trying out this kind of gear helped me explore sound in new ways and pushed me to think differently about how we hear the world around us.

I’m especially interested in the sounds we usually miss, and how they can work within visual media. I like bringing out those hidden layers that often go unnoticed. Through my time at GSA, I’ve also worked on a number of film shoots where I recorded on set audio. Being part of the course gave me the space and support to grow and explore new area of the sound industry, widening my skill set.

Contact
Lewietomydavie@gmail.com
L.Davidson1@student.gsa.ac.uk
I Upload my own work and audio reworks to this youtube channel
You can find me on UpWork for any Freelance enquiries
Alternative Freelance Enquiry at Twine
Works
PAIRILIS_ANAMA
Astartes audio rework
Kelvingrove Park Tomorrow High Noon
Fake Radio Adverts

PAIRILIS_ANAMA

Short moments of flashing images

I’m interested in how sound and image can carry emotion without relying on words. My film Pairilis Anama is an abstract short made in Unreal Engine that explores cycles of collapse and renewal. It moves through digital landscapes where life and decay exist side by side. The story reflects how small acts of neglect in our lives can grow into something much heavier, but it also shows how it’s still possible to take back control. I was inspired by Gaelic proverbs that speak to resilience and patience, and that influence runs through the whole piece.

Sound is where the heart of my work lies. I record using ultrasonic microphones, hydrophones and EMF devices to capture layers of sound that often go unheard. These recordings give me the space to build powerful and sometimes destructive soundscapes that still feel grounded in the real world. That balance matters to me. I want the sound to be intense and unfamiliar, but also believable and textured.

I tend not to guide the audience too directly. There is a loose narrative, but I want the viewer to experience it for themselves. My aim is to create work that stays with people, not by telling them what to feel, but by giving them a space where sound and image leave a mark in their own way.

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Astartes audio rework

18 or over, flashing images.

For this project, we reimagined the audio for Astartes, the acclaimed Warhammer 40K fan animation created by Syama Pedersen. The film’s intense visuals and minimal dialogue provided an ideal canvas for immersive sound design.

My collaborator, Tomaz Grab, composed the music score, while I focused on crafting the sound design. This project was very fulfilling, aligning with my passion for creating impactful audio experiences. I utilized ultrasonic microphones and EMF recorders to capture unique textures, which I then processed using plugins from Soundtoys, Waves, and iZotope. This approach allowed me to develop a soundscape and sind design that complements the film’s visual intensity.

Working on this project reinforced my interest in sound design for science fiction and action genres. It also provided an opportunity to experiment with unconventional recording techniques and effects processing, enhancing my skills in creating dynamic and engaging audio environments.

Kelvingrove Park Tomorrow High Noon

Kelvingrove Park Tomorrow High Noon

Directed by Arthur Johnson and Harvey Gardener
Starring Saul Davidson and Michael McGurk
Director of photography Brogan Vandenio
Assistant camera Fraser Cox
Sound recording and mixing by me, Lewis Davidson
Sound editor Rob Ferguson
Music by Mark Gairns

This short film follows a modern-day cowboy fan who finds the only other cowboy in Glasgow through an online forum. They agree to meet in Kelvingrove Park at high noon to decide who gets to be the last cowboy in the city.

The film was made in just 77 hours as part of the 4 Points Film competition. It was one of my first times working on set as a sound recordist and gave me a real taste of how hectic but rewarding film production can be. I was responsible for capturing all the on-location sound, managing unpredictable conditions, and working closely with the crew under serious time pressure.

Later, I worked alongside Rob Ferguson during post-production, helping with sound editing and shaping the final audio mix. It was a great opportunity to follow the sound through from capture to final output, and it gave me a stronger sense of how on-set audio fits into the larger post-production process.

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Fake Radio Adverts

This project was all about having fun with sound. I created a series of fake radio adverts, bringing silly ideas to life like Nurocloud, a fictional service that uploads your stress to the cloud, and a jingle for Bog FM, a pretend radio station broadcasting from an actual bog.

The work leaned heavily on vocal direction, working closely with voice actor Brendan Bracaly to get the tone just right. From there, I used a mix of sound design techniques and editing tricks to shape the audio. A big part of the process involved experimenting with ultrasonic microphones to record strange textures and layers, which gave the final mixes a weird, playful depth.

This kind of creative audio play is something I really enjoy. It let me combine humour, storytelling, and technical sound work in a way that felt completely open and inventive.