Production Sound Department Overview
Recording all sound on set or on location is the work of the Production Sound Crew which includes Production Sound Mixers, Boom Operators, and Sound Assistants; on bigger films, Sound Trainees may also be employed. Although film is considered a primarily visual medium, much of the storytelling and emotional resonance of a script is conveyed through dialogue.
Ensuring that the dialogue recorded during film shoots is suitably clear is a complex job; most film sets are challenging for the Sound Department as there are often unwanted noises to deal with, or the desired camera shots hamper the placing of microphones.
Although it is sometimes easier to re-record dialogue after the shoot (post-syncing), most actors and Directors prefer to use the sound captured on set or location. Production Sound Crews also record atmosphere (without dialogue) or "wild" tracks on set or on location to assist the Post Production Sound department during the editing process.
Production Sound Crews work closely together throughout the shoot. Production Sound Mixers are usually positioned off set and record the sound captured by microphones onto DAT (Digital Audio Tape) or increasingly, onto hard disk recorders. Boom Operators are responsible for positioning various microphones so that the best possible quality sound is captured, and for ensuring that the boom microphone is not in shot.
Sound Assistants check all equipment and batteries, and on larger films may also swing a second boom. Where they are employed, Sound Trainees perform general running duties and learn on the job. The recorded sound files are the raw materials used by the Post Production Sound department to help create the sonic identity of each film.
All members of the Production Sound crew need a thorough knowledge of acoustics, electronics, microphones and digital sound recording equipment, precise attention to detail, and excellent communication skills. They usually acquire some basic sound recording skills before starting out at junior levels within Production Sound departments and eventually progressing to become Production Sound Mixers.
Ensuring that the dialogue recorded during film shoots is suitably clear is a complex job; most film sets are challenging for the Sound Department as there are often unwanted noises to deal with, or the desired camera shots hamper the placing of microphones.
Although it is sometimes easier to re-record dialogue after the shoot (post-syncing), most actors and Directors prefer to use the sound captured on set or location. Production Sound Crews also record atmosphere (without dialogue) or "wild" tracks on set or on location to assist the Post Production Sound department during the editing process.
Production Sound Crews work closely together throughout the shoot. Production Sound Mixers are usually positioned off set and record the sound captured by microphones onto DAT (Digital Audio Tape) or increasingly, onto hard disk recorders. Boom Operators are responsible for positioning various microphones so that the best possible quality sound is captured, and for ensuring that the boom microphone is not in shot.
Sound Assistants check all equipment and batteries, and on larger films may also swing a second boom. Where they are employed, Sound Trainees perform general running duties and learn on the job. The recorded sound files are the raw materials used by the Post Production Sound department to help create the sonic identity of each film.
All members of the Production Sound crew need a thorough knowledge of acoustics, electronics, microphones and digital sound recording equipment, precise attention to detail, and excellent communication skills. They usually acquire some basic sound recording skills before starting out at junior levels within Production Sound departments and eventually progressing to become Production Sound Mixers.
