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Outstanding Contribution to Craft – Stuart Wilson
Stuart Wilson
This BAFTA Scotland special award is given in memory of Robert McCann.
One of the best pieces of advice any novice filmmaker can receive is to find a good sound mixer for their shoot. A great sound mix leaves as much of an indelible mark on an audience as stunning visuals or standout acting. No one knows this better than this year’s recipient of BAFTA Scotland’s Outstanding Contribution to Craft, Stuart Wilson.
Wilson’s work has featured in some of the most successful films of the last few decades, skilfully capturing and enhancing the subtleties of some vital, elusive and emotional performances.
“Working on a big feature can be like going into battle,” says Wilson. “Every department has different needs if we’re to deliver the artistic whole. Often these needs are in conflict, even though we’re trying to tell the same story. Diplomacy and negotiating skills can be key for a successful collaboration and as important as any technical knowledge.”
Wilson’s calm and unprepossessing manner belies a steely resilience and a passion for problemsolving. It’s this relentless dedication, along with superlative craft skills that have made him the sound mixer of choice for some of cinema’s top directors, helping their films garner many nominations and award wins.
Wilson’s lack of ego has been described as a ‘soothing balm’ – no wonder so many directors have chosen to retain his talent across multiple films. Earlier this year, Indiana Jones was added to a repertoire which already includes two Bond movies (Skyfall, 2012, and Spectre, 2015), the final four Harry Potter films (2007-2011) and the last five features in the Star Wars universe (2015-2019). The latest project, due out next year, is Mickey17 from Korean director Bong Joon Ho.
While Wilson’s filmography is jam-packed with such action blockbusters as War Horse (2011), World War Z (2013), Edge of Tomorrow (2014) and The Batman (2022), there are also arthouse and drama-led features, including 24 Hour Party People (2002), The Constant Gardener (2005), Marie Antoinette (2006), Eastern Promises (2007), Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), Macbeth (2015), The Two Popes (2019) and Empire of Light (2022).
Simply put, Stuart Wilson is one of the best in his field and industry accolades have inevitably come his way. He has six BAFTA and six Academy Award nominations and has won both awards for 1917 (2019).
About receiving this BAFTA Scotland special award, Wilson says: “I can’t believe it... It seems a long time since I was chapping the doors of Glasgow’s production companies, asking if I could carry their boxes and make tea, but the opportunities that began there have taken me on adventures all round Scotland and across five continents. Receiving this at home now, I couldn’t be more proud.”
WORDS: Toby Weidmann
