Nia's Story
Nia began at Skywalker Sound in 2009, interning for Randy Thom across six different films. She then apprenticed under Gary Rydstrom for several films including Steven Spielberg’s War Horse, for which Nia utilized almost a decade of horse training experience. She spent much of her time out in the field collecting unique sounds and training her ears. Her time with these mentors and others like Chris Boyes and Shannon Mills cemented her understanding of the storytelling power of sound design, the benefits of an organic approach, and the joys of field recording.
As a sound designer, supervisor, and sound effects editor, Nia has come to specialize in science fiction and fantasy features, having worked on Disney and Pixar animations as well as visual effects-heavy blockbusters including thirteen Marvel films such as Captain America: Civil War, Doctor Strange, and Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. Her favorite creative challenge is designing technology, magic, and creatures, bringing otherworldly settings to life with a focus on details, texture, and emotional resonance. Her active imagination is an asset in this field where so many clients are seeking “a sound that no one has heard before.” As an author, she pairs this creativity with a keen understanding of narrative structure, character, and worldbuilding.
Originally from Santa Barbara, California, Nia has lived in beautiful Yosemite, Mount Shasta, and the Canadian Rocky Mountains, which fostered a love of the outdoors. She now resides in the San Francisco Bay Area. Beyond sound work, Nia rides horses, practices Japanese swordsmanship, is a licensed falconer, and a traditionally published author of science fiction and fantasy novels under the pen name Essa Hansen.
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More on Nia:
Podcast: Soundworks Collection — “The Sound of Doctor Strange”
Podcast: Tonebenders — episode 055
Podcast: Tonebenders — episode 099 — “Sound Design for VFX Round Table” with Paula Fairfield
Podcast: Field & Foley – episode 42
Podcast: The Palmer Files — episode 21 — “Sound Design with Nia Hansen”
Interview: Vadi Sound
Interview: Sophie Sound — episode 01
Article: A Sound Effect – “Tips on Preparing Sound Design for Film”
Essay: Electric Literature — “What I Learned About Writing from Making Sound Effects for Movies”
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