By: Maria B. OvalleÂ
With intricate soundscapes and detailed audio design, the Colombian sound designer brings Greek mythology to life in TED-Ed’s animated short, ‘A tour of the ancient Greek Underworld.’
Listening to the darkness of Tartarus, enjoying the amenities of Elysium, perceiving the laments of the river Cocytus, and personifying the grandeur of Zeus are things that can now not only occur in the stage of one’s imagination but with precise sound design and engaging animation, they become possible. The TED-Ed animation, A tour of the ancient Greek Underworld, released in late October 2023, illustrates in a brief 5.5-minute short film the compilation of various Greek myths, particularly the arrival of Achilles in the Underworld and the multiple places it comprises: the entrance guarded by Cerberus, the four waterways (Acheron, Cocytus, Lethe, and Phlegethon), banquets with the gods where more than one was condemned to eternal suffering, among other scenarios.
Although most TED-Ed videos aim to be educational, this short transcends this goal. It contributes to education through an engaging and fun story in which the illustration, script, music, and sound design work together to create a fun and thoughtful project.
The fact that the video is so brief but contains so many scenes, actions, characters, and environmental changes makes the challenge of sound design greater. Felipe Collazos, an esteemed–Colombian sound designer and sound engineer, dared to assume the task of sound design, mixing, editing and cleaning the voice-overs for the production. “I was initially responsible for putting specific sound effects for some environments and movements; however, it was hard for me to imagine the entire video without having the complete sounds. It felt very empty, so my role expanded to oversee the entire sound design of the project, which allowed me to start experimenting with different sounds, and ensure that the final product was cohesive and impactful for audiences,” recalls Collazos.
He was dedicated to experimenting, testing, listening, and making the necessary changes for the project. When he finished, he realized that this was the first time he had completed the sound design for an entire production solo, a rare and difficult feat for any audio engineer and sound designer. One of the advantages he found along the way was that he was able to collaborate closely with the composer for the project, Jarrett Farkas, to develop a complementary score and sound design. Together with Farkas, they coordinated to ensure all the scenes had coherence. This is evident throughout the project, particularly during the final scene, which illustrates Elysium, a paradisiacal place worthy of great heroes. The singing of birds, the sound of the harp, the soft sound of delicately woven leaf fans, and the relaxing and pleasant music create a delightful atmosphere.
One of the challenging aspects for Felipe Collazos during this process was ensuring that the sounds did not distract the viewers but generated emotion and complemented the visual part. But finishing this production meant a confirmation for him: “With this, I realized what I am capable of doing and how passionate I am about recreating atmospheres through sound,” says the Colombian.
The fact that Felipe Collazos’ first completely autonomous sound design project had such successful results is not a coincidence, nor the result of a stroke of good luck. Unknowingly, he had been training for this path since he was just a child. During his childhood in Bogotá, Felipe spent a lot of time watching cartoons; he loved watching series like Tom & Jerry, Looney Tunes, The Simpsons, and Dragon Ball Z. His ear at that time was not as trained as it is now, but he already had a raw talent that would be refined with his musical education: an ear with attention to detail and a sound intelligence capable of imagining the audio of silent images.
“Since I was a child, I unconsciously noticed the sounds of the cartoons I watched. Later, I completed a diploma in Sound Production and Engineering in Bogotá and began creating the sounds for short films, commercials or recognized movies from scratch,” highlights Collazos.
It would be utopian to say that he always knew he wanted to dedicate himself to sound design. In 2018, he was awarded a selective merit scholarship at Berklee College of Music in Boston to study Music Production and Engineering and began to focus on music. Upon moving to New York City, newly graduated, he found jobs oriented toward post-production and decided to dust off his knowledge of sound design. Over time, he realized he had an innate talent since he was just a child, and now this talent was becoming an essential skill for this craft.
Collazos has since engineered and designed the audio behind countless other acclaimed projects, including the award-winning film “Slide,” the “Monumental: An Artists Den Experience” series alongside Ellie Goulding, and countless commercial campaigns with international brands such as Spotify, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Macy’s, Starbucks, Princess Cruises, Coca-Cola, and many more. Collazos’ versatility and esteemed filmography within the industry are a testament to the outstanding and unique talent and recognition that he has amassed as an audio engineer.
The Positive reception of A tour of the ancient Greek Underworld reaffirmed his exceptional talents and critical input on the job. “TED-Ed loved the sounds of the suffering souls in the rivers, Tisiphone (one of the Furies), Styx, and other monstrous characters. These were the sounds I invested the most time in,” explains Collazos.
For parents, educators, students, and other viewers, this short has proven to be a fun way to learn or refresh their knowledge of Greek myths. The video is entertaining and incorporates simple and contemporary language that engages anyone, regardless of age. Despite being a cartoon, it teaches without feeling like a lecture.
Published by: Holy Minoza
