What is Production Sound?

The forgotten half of filmmaking.

Production Sound defined

Complex craft of recording live dialogue and sound effects on the set during principal photography (production).

Craft = Mix of technical & artistic On the set = not a recording studio Live = not the control of post

Requires a blend of

Creative judgement Technical expertise Acceptable compromise

Art of Problem Solving

Spot potential noise problems before shooting

Control environmental sounds Good mic placement is critical Equipment failure Changes in blocking & performance

Mixer is part engineer

Operation of audio recorders Operation of mixing consoles Familiarity with mics On-set communications

Mixer is part Sound Editor

Quality of recorded dialogue Consistency of levels Ability to intercut between scenes Perspective Usable sound effects & backgrounds Alternate material for soundtrack

Mixer is part Director

Story telling thru dialogue Story telling thru sound design How can the soundtrack serve to advance the

storyline or add a new dimension to the visual element?

Filmmaking is a team effort

Not shooting an “audio” Picture and Sound both convey the story Not a contest to see if Camera or Sound

Departments will “reign supreme” Sometimes Camera must yield to good dialogue

and sometimes Sound needs to back off for picture

Mixing is creative

Don’t have to be an electronics whiz Just need to know how to use the gear; not

how to service it! More important to understand post-production

so you know WHAT to record on the set for the editors to use later.

Sound stages are not quiet

Film sets are not conducive to sound

Deal with background noise Echo and reverb; bad acoustics Camera angles & lighting hinder

mic placement Blocking and performance can

make sound mixing difficult