Welcome back! Today, I will talk about a number of different aspects to recording sound; How to record sound on location, ADR, Foley, the audio codes and finally the impact of an inappropriate soundtrack! So, let's get started!
RECORDING SOUND ON LOCATION
Recording sound on location is a different method of recording sound compared to Foley. We record sound on location using the location recording kits provided. In which, contains a sound recorder and a mic with a windshield to soften the sharp sounds e.g. 'P's' and 'B's' in which 'clips' the audio. Finally, the kit also contains headphones to listen to the audio as it is recorded.
Here is a step my step guide to recording sound on location!
So, as you can see the process of recording sound on location is quite lengthy and it does have its drawbacks. For instance, if I wanted to record a conversation but the one person is on one side of the room and the other person is on the other side of the room, then I would need to use a boom in order to extend the microphone to allow the other person to be heard more clearer and louder. As a result, the sound recorder could dip the boom during recording in which would be seen on camera which would result into a continuity error.
ADR
When dialog cannot be taken from production tracks, they must be re-recorded. This is called 'ADR' (Automated dialog replacement).
The actor watches the film repeatedly until they feel comfortable to repeat the dialog perfectly in time for it to be then placed into the films audio. Then, they record the dialog in sync to the film in which must match the lip movements. This can be a long process due to the actors ability to sync the dialog to the film. Therefore, there is an alternative method called 'looping'. Looping consists of looping the film while the actor continues to repeat the dialog.
FOLEY
Foley derives from Jack Foley, who is a sound editor at Universal Studios. Foley artists match sound effects with the live action of the film. Using Foley is a great way of expressing subtle sounds in which production mics might not pick up. With these subtle sounds comes a sense of realism within the film. The Foley crew will include a 'walker' in which creates the sounds using particular objects, and a technician to mix the sounds together.
AUDIO CODES
Below, I have researched the appropriate audio codes using this website.
- Sound Recorder - records the sound on location.
- Condenser Microphone - external microphone that uses an XLR connection to record sound.
- Windshield - Prevents sharp sounds of dialog clipping the audio.
- Headphones - Listen to the audio as it is being recorded.
- Diegetic Sound - Sound that is visible in the film.
- Non - Diegetic Sound - Sound that isn't visible in the film.
- Parallel Sound - Sound that complements the film.
- Contrapuntal Sound - Sound that that contradicts the film.
- Synchronous Sound - Sound that matches the action - footsteps while seeing someone walk.
- Asynchronous Sound - Sound that matches the action however, not at the exact time.
- Voice over- A narration that plays over the top of a piece of film.
EXAMPLES OF THE AUDIO CODES
Next time: I will discuss Sound Editors and Film Score Composers!
Next time: I will discuss Sound Editors and Film Score Composers!
