Episode 18: Post Production Sound

Introduction

• Films comprise sequences, scenes, and shots.
• Sound is a crucial part of filmmaking post-production.
• Sound is both an art and a science.

Sound in Post Production

• Post-production sound involves building an immersive soundscape.
• Requires a large team of professionals.
• Involves steps from recording to theater speaker output.

Science of Sound

• Loudness measured in amplitude (RMS).
• Human ears respond logarithmically; loudness measured in decibels (dB).
• Frequency tied to pitch, denoted in hertz (Hz).
• Phasing is crucial for combining multiple sound waves.
• Harmonics are additional sound waves.
• Sound Envelope: Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release.

Post Production Sound Terms

• Equalizer modifies amplitude of selected frequencies.
  • High shelf, low shelf, high pass, low pass, first/second order filters.
• Dynamic Range: difference between loudest and softest sounds.
  • Compressor reduces dynamic range.
  • Limiter acts as a ceiling for sound loudness.
  • Expander increases dynamic range.
• Noise Gate reduces quietest sounds.
• FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) manipulates frequencies.
• Reverb creates spatial sound effects.

Roles in Sound Department

• Supervising Sound Editor: manages team, collaborates with director/producer.
• Sound Designer: creatively involved in sound storytelling.
• Sound Effects Editor: sources recordings, responsible for specific sounds.
• Spotting Session: director and sound team discuss film's sound vision.

Dialogue and Sound Editing

• Dialogue Editor: trims, repairs audio, organizes dialogues first.
• Sound editors work in Avid Pro Tools (industry standard software).

Sound Effects and Foley

• Sound Effects Recordist: creates custom effects with experimental methods.
• Foley Artist: creates timed custom sounds in a Foley pit.
  • Foley Mixer records, Foley Editor places sounds.
• Effects Categories: spot, design, background effects essential for immersion.

Automatic Dialogue Replacement (ADR)

• Overseen by ADR Mixer.
• Recreates dialogue not captured correctly on set.

Music in Films

• Score: music specifically composed for a film.
• Soundtrack: includes all music in a film (licensed or composed).
• Composer works closely with director for the film's musical needs.
• Music Editor and Music Supervisor liaise between director and music production.

Sound Mixing

• Overseen by Re-recording Mixer.
• Balances levels and dynamics to create a cohesive soundscape.
• Uses control surfaces and studio monitors.
• Mixes delivered in various formats (e.g., stereo, 5.1 surround).
• EQ adjustments crucial for optimal sound quality.

Conclusion

• Sound is half of the film experience, crucial for immersion.
• Post-production sound reveals new layers in storytelling.