David Farmer
Known For: Sound
Biography
David Farmer is an American sound designer at Skywalker Sound. Raised on a farm in Gladys, Virginia, he developed an early interest in music as a guitarist and drummer before deciding to pursue a career in sound after seeing behind-the-scenes footage of sound designer Ben Burtt creating effects for the Star Wars films. He studied Recording Arts at Full Sail University in Florida before moving to Los Angeles, where he began his career as an intern at a Burbank post-production facility. He was inducted into the Full Sail Hall of Fame in 2011. He is best known for his work as sound designer on Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy, creating sounds for Ringwraiths, the Balrog, and the Cave Troll. He returned to Middle-earth for the Hobbit trilogy, creating sounds for Smaug. Outside his work, Farmer is an avid field recordist who has released ambient soundscape and white-noise recordings under the artist names Aural Escapes, Dream Candy and Hushaboo.
Filmography
2026
- Forgotten Island ... (Sound Effects Editor)
2025
- Thunderbolts* ... (Sound Designer)
- The Gorge ... (Sound Designer)
- How to Train Your Dragon ... (Sound Effects Editor)
2024
- The Wild Robot ... (Sound Effects Editor)
- The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim ... (Sound Designer)
2023
- Blue Beetle ... (Sound Designer)
2022
- Willow ... (Sound Designer)
2020
- Underwater ... (Sound Designer)
2019
- Avengers: Endgame ... (Sound Designer)
- Captain Marvel ... (Sound Designer)
- Spies in Disguise ... (Sound Effects Editor)
- The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance ... (Sound Effects Editor)
2018
- Avengers: Infinity War ... (Sound Designer)
- Ant-Man and the Wasp ... (Sound Designer)
2017
- Thor: Ragnarok ... (Sound Designer)
- The Mummy ... (Sound Designer)
- Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets ... (Sound Designer)
- A Cure for Wellness ... (Sound Designer)
- Voice from the Stone ... (Sound Effects Editor)
2016
- Ratchet & Clank ... (Sound Designer)
2015
- Ant-Man ... (Sound Designer)
2014
- The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies ... (Sound Designer)
2013
- The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug ... (Sound Designer)
2012
- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey ... (Sound Designer)
- Underworld: Awakening ... (Sound Designer)
2011
- Cowboys & Aliens ... (Sound Designer)
- Red Riding Hood ... (Sound Designer)
2010
- A Nightmare on Elm Street ... (Sound Designer)
2009
- Underworld: Rise of the Lycans ... (Sound Designer)
- Invictus ... (Sound Designer)
2008
- The Incredible Hulk ... (Sound Designer)
- Henry Poole Is Here ... (Sound Designer)
2006
- The Omen ... (Sound Effects Editor)
- The Making of 'The Fellowship of the Ring'
2005
- King Kong ... (Sound Designer)
2003
- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King ... (Sound Designer)
2002
- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers ... (Sound Designer)
- The Soundscapes of Middle-earth as Self
2001
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring ... (Sound Designer)
- Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within ... (Sound Effects Editor)
2000
- The Replacements ... (Sound Designer)
- Space Cowboys ... (Sound Designer)
1999
- The 13th Warrior ... (Other)
1998
- Armageddon ... (Sound Effects Editor)
1997
- Mortal Kombat: Annihilation ... (Sound Designer)
- Most Wanted ... (Sound Effects Editor)
1996
- Bordello of Blood ... (Sound Effects Editor)
- The Arrival ... (Sound Designer)
- Set It Off ... (Sound Effects Editor)
1995
- Mortal Kombat ... (Sound Designer)
- Dead Presidents ... (Sound Effects Editor)
- Citizen X ... (Sound Effects Editor)
1994
- The Mask ... (Sound Effects Editor)
- Disclosure ... (Sound Effects Editor)
1993
- Menace II Society ... (Sound Effects Editor)