In my first Tech Support column 15 months ago, I opened by discussing Randy Thom’s acceptance speech of the 2004 sound editing award for “The Incredibles.” Thom remarked how awards like Best Sound Editing are often deemed by the media to be “technical awards” when, in fact, they are awarded for artistic decisions. Bringing to light this articulation has hopefully proven itself to be the purpose of the “Tech Support” column here at In Contention. (And on that note, I sometimes wonder whether this is the best name for the column.)

Last week, I had the chance to speak to Thom and another Hollywood sound editor, Ethan Van der Ryn, about the projects they have in play this season.

A giant in the world of Hollywood sound, Randy Thom won his first Oscar in 1983 for Philip Kaufman’s “The Right Stuff. He has racked up a career nomination total of twelve, and this year, he lends his talents to Brad Bird’s latest film, “Ratatouille,” as well as Robert Zemeckis’ “Beowulf.”

Ethan Van der Ryn is a two-time Oscar winner for “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” and “King Kong,” both from director Peter Jackson. This year, he served as supervising sound editor on Michael Bay’s “Transformers.”