Here is my production sound recording process. I would love any feedback or discussion as to anything I am missing or ways to make it better.
- Production Sound Check List -
□ Block scene with DIR and DP.
□ Place sound blankets and carpets to reduce reverberation. Be overly critical, use as many sound blankets as you can fit on set.
□ Turn off or relocate sound sources such as HVAC, fridge,clock, dripping or running water, animals, buzzing lights, phones, appliances and unnecessary cast or crew.
□ Set up gear and assign mic positions for booms, lavs and plant mics.
□ LISTEN to the room through headphones to identify and fix problems.
□ Listen for clicking shoes or noisy costumes, work with the Costumer to minimize.
□ Work with AD or Director to test levels. Do actual run-throughs (not just test test 1234) Record loudest dialog at -1.5 to -3db. (((TURN ON LIMITER ON FIELD RECORDER)))
□ Ask AD or DIR to have cast and crew to turn [OFF] all cellphones, tablets and laptops.
□ Capture the cleanest dialog sound possible. If there are loud sounds intermixed with dialog you may need to allow loud screams or slamming doors to clip so the dialog will be good. Set up additional mics to capture loud sounds on additional tracks.
□ During recording listen critically for problems. Make AD or DIR aware of problem takes
□ Keep sound log and markers accurate during all shooting (do not wait to fill it in after).
□ Listen back to recorded takes to identify problems.
□ Ask AD or DIR to record wilds for any dialog that may not be good quality such as from camera or set noise. Be sure to also record breath and mouth sounds.
□ Record production sounds such as doors, footsteps and prop sounds.
□ Record 30-60 sec of good room tone or 2-5 min of good outdoor backgrounds. Turn off production lights or other noise sources for room tone and BG recording.
□ TAKE A DEEP BREATH, have some water and a snack it is going be along day.
□ Reset for next scene. (turn on air conditioning to keep cast and crew comfortable)
□ If moving locations, turn on everything we turned off earlier: HVAC,water, fridge etc.
PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO CAPTURE CLEAN DIALOG ON SET. BE POLITE BUT RESOLUTE ABOUT GETTING GOOD SOUND. IF THE DIRECTOR DOES NOT HAVE THE TIME TO ALLOW FOR WILDS OR SOUND BLANKETS, IT IS YOUR JOB TO MAKE SURE HE OR SHE IS MAKING AN INFORMED DECISION, KNOWING THE QUALITY OF THE PRODUCTION SOUND WILL SUFFER.
- Production Sound Check List -
□ Block scene with DIR and DP.
□ Place sound blankets and carpets to reduce reverberation. Be overly critical, use as many sound blankets as you can fit on set.
□ Turn off or relocate sound sources such as HVAC, fridge,clock, dripping or running water, animals, buzzing lights, phones, appliances and unnecessary cast or crew.
□ Set up gear and assign mic positions for booms, lavs and plant mics.
□ LISTEN to the room through headphones to identify and fix problems.
□ Listen for clicking shoes or noisy costumes, work with the Costumer to minimize.
□ Work with AD or Director to test levels. Do actual run-throughs (not just test test 1234) Record loudest dialog at -1.5 to -3db. (((TURN ON LIMITER ON FIELD RECORDER)))
□ Ask AD or DIR to have cast and crew to turn [OFF] all cellphones, tablets and laptops.
□ Capture the cleanest dialog sound possible. If there are loud sounds intermixed with dialog you may need to allow loud screams or slamming doors to clip so the dialog will be good. Set up additional mics to capture loud sounds on additional tracks.
□ During recording listen critically for problems. Make AD or DIR aware of problem takes
□ Keep sound log and markers accurate during all shooting (do not wait to fill it in after).
□ Listen back to recorded takes to identify problems.
□ Ask AD or DIR to record wilds for any dialog that may not be good quality such as from camera or set noise. Be sure to also record breath and mouth sounds.
□ Record production sounds such as doors, footsteps and prop sounds.
□ Record 30-60 sec of good room tone or 2-5 min of good outdoor backgrounds. Turn off production lights or other noise sources for room tone and BG recording.
□ TAKE A DEEP BREATH, have some water and a snack it is going be along day.
□ Reset for next scene. (turn on air conditioning to keep cast and crew comfortable)
□ If moving locations, turn on everything we turned off earlier: HVAC,water, fridge etc.
PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO CAPTURE CLEAN DIALOG ON SET. BE POLITE BUT RESOLUTE ABOUT GETTING GOOD SOUND. IF THE DIRECTOR DOES NOT HAVE THE TIME TO ALLOW FOR WILDS OR SOUND BLANKETS, IT IS YOUR JOB TO MAKE SURE HE OR SHE IS MAKING AN INFORMED DECISION, KNOWING THE QUALITY OF THE PRODUCTION SOUND WILL SUFFER.