CULVER CITY, CA — In the modern era of cinema, where immersive audio experiences are as critical to the narrative as the cinematography itself, two titans of the industry are preparing to pull back the curtain. Mark Mangini and Craig Henighan, sound designers whose sonic fingerprints are on some of the most visceral and influential films of the last decade, will headline the highly anticipated INDEPTH LIVE panel at this year’s Mix Presents Sound for Film & Television event.
Scheduled for September 26, 2026, the event will return to the historic Sony Pictures Post Production Services lot in Culver City, California. For audio professionals, cinephiles, and post-production students, this panel represents a rare opportunity to witness an autopsy of the creative process from the masters who define the state-of-the-art.
The Art of the Invisible: Main Facts and Panel Overview
The INDEPTH LIVE session, presented by ASG, promises to be the centerpiece of the 2026 conference. Moderated by Mike James Gallagher, the creator of INDEPTH Sound Design, the panel will move beyond standard technical walkthroughs. Instead, it aims to deconstruct the "why" behind the "how."
Mark Mangini—an Academy Award winner renowned for his work on Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part One and Blade Runner 2049, as well as the high-octane soundscape of Mad Max: Fury Road—will join Craig Henighan, a decorated re-recording mixer and sound designer whose resume includes the haunting atmosphere of Stranger Things, the period-accurate intimacy of Roma, and the blockbuster energy of Deadpool & Wolverine.
The session is designed to be a masterclass in narrative-driven sound design. By revisiting original archive materials—raw stems, early drafts, and rejected concepts—the panelists will walk the audience through the evolution of key sequences from their most celebrated projects. The goal is to provide a granular look at how sound designers translate a director’s abstract vision into the physical, emotional reality experienced by an audience in a theater.
A Legacy of Sound: Chronology of Creative Excellence
To understand the weight of this upcoming presentation, one must look at the trajectories of these two industry icons. Their work does not merely complement the visual; it defines the psychological space of the film.
The Mangini Method
Mark Mangini’s career spans decades of technical innovation. His work on Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) was a turning point for modern action sound, utilizing a dense, layered approach that emphasized the metallic, rhythmic nature of the wasteland. He later pivoted to the expansive, meditative, and gargantuan scale of Dune: Part One (2021). His ability to create "world-building" audio—where the sound of a vehicle or a windstorm feels as distinct as a character’s voice—has set a benchmark for contemporary sound design.
The Henighan Horizon
Craig Henighan, meanwhile, has mastered the art of "sonic intimacy." His work on Roma (2018) required a delicate touch, preserving the organic, chaotic soundscape of 1970s Mexico City while maintaining a cinematic clarity. His versatility is perhaps best demonstrated by his ability to pivot from the quiet, period-specific textures of The Odyssey to the massive, multi-channel immersive soundscapes required by the Stranger Things universe and the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Deadpool & Wolverine.
The INDEPTH LIVE session will act as a chronological bridge, allowing these two artists to compare how their philosophies have shifted in response to changing exhibition standards—from the transition to Dolby Atmos to the increasing demand for high-fidelity home theater audio.
Supporting Data: Why This Event Matters for the Industry
The Mix Presents Sound for Film & Television event is more than a networking opportunity; it is a vital clearinghouse for industry innovation. As the industry faces a post-pandemic landscape, the technical requirements for audio post-production have shifted dramatically.
Recent industry data suggests that the demand for "immersive audio" in home entertainment has accelerated at an unprecedented rate. According to recent market reports, the integration of Spatial Audio and object-based mixing is no longer a luxury but a requirement for streaming platforms. Consequently, the techniques Mangini and Henighan will discuss—such as managing dynamic range for diverse listening environments and the creative use of ambisonics—are essential knowledge for the next generation of sound editors.
Furthermore, the shift toward remote collaboration and cloud-based post-production workflows has created a unique set of challenges for sound teams. The conference will dedicate significant time to exploring how these logistical hurdles are being overcome, ensuring that the artistic intent is preserved even when teams are scattered across different time zones.
Official Perspectives: The Vision for 2026
"The industry is at a crossroads," noted a spokesperson for the event organizers. "The technology to create sound has become more accessible, but the art of using that technology to serve a story remains as elusive as ever. By bringing together minds like Mangini and Henighan, we aren’t just teaching attendees how to use a plug-in. We are teaching them how to listen to the story."
The panel is presented by ASG, a firm that has consistently championed the importance of high-level audio infrastructure. Their support for INDEPTH LIVE underscores a commitment to bridging the gap between hardware manufacturers and the creative users who push those systems to their limits.
For the panelists, the event offers a chance to mentor. Both Mangini and Henighan have been vocal in recent years about the importance of sound design in film education. By sharing their "failed" attempts—the ideas that didn’t make the final cut—they hope to encourage younger designers to embrace trial and error as a necessary component of the creative process.
Implications: The Future of Audio Post-Production
The implications of this panel extend far beyond the single day of the event. As AI and machine learning tools begin to enter the sound design pipeline, the human element—the "creative intent" mentioned by the panelists—becomes the ultimate differentiator.
The INDEPTH LIVE panel will likely address this tension. How much of the "human touch" can be automated? And, more importantly, what is the role of the sound designer in an era where software can generate textures in seconds?
By highlighting their own processes, Mangini and Henighan are expected to argue that technology is a tool, not a replacement. Their focus on "serving the story" suggests that as the tools for sound design become more powerful, the need for a strong, singular artistic vision becomes even more critical.
The Broader Impact on Culver City
The choice of the Sony Pictures Studio Lot as a venue is intentional. It remains a hub for the intersection of tradition and the future. As the industry continues to evolve, the gathering of professionals in Culver City serves as a barometer for the state of the art. The high attendance rates projected for 2026 suggest that the community is eager to move past the remote-work fatigue of the early 2020s and return to a collaborative, in-person environment where knowledge is shared directly from peer to peer.
Conclusion: A Call to the Community
As the date for Mix Presents Sound for Film & Television approaches, the anticipation within the post-production community is palpable. With tickets expected to move quickly, organizers are urging professionals to register well in advance.
The event is designed for a broad spectrum of attendees:
- Students and Early-Career Professionals: Seeking a blueprint for career longevity and creative methodology.
- Mid-Level Editors: Looking to refine their workflows and stay ahead of technical advancements.
- Industry Veterans: Interested in the dialogue between two of the most influential figures in contemporary cinema.
"This is not just a talk," the event organizers emphasized. "This is an immersion. You are sitting in a room with the people who have shaped the sound of our cultural landscape for the last two decades. You are going to leave with a completely different understanding of what it means to build a sonic world."
For those ready to delve into the latest advancements in audio post-production—from the initial production capture to the final theatrical mix—the Mix Presents Sound for Film & Television conference is the place to be. The future of sound is being defined in Culver City, and the invitation to be a part of that conversation is open to all who are passionate about the power of the audible experience.
For more information on the full agenda, travel arrangements, and registration details, visit the official Mix Presents Sound for Film & Television website. Join the community on September 26, 2026, and be part of the dialogue that is shaping the next chapter of cinematic sound.
