Frequently Asked Questions: FILM/TV

Last updated: July 15, 2021

Q: What is audio post-production, and why should I use it on my project?

A: Have you have ever been watching a film or television show and been completely taken out of the moment because you heard something you weren’t supposed to, or because it was too hard to hear the person talking? Simply put, audio post-production ensures that the sound of your project is elevated to be the best it can be, while most effectively serving the story you’re telling.

Audio post includes a variety of processes such as:

  • Editing Dialogue for clarity, sometimes down to the syllable.

  • Re-recording Dialogue if the sound captured on set doesn't cut it (also referred to as Automated Dialogue Replacement, or ADR).

  • Sound Effects are added and edited from vast sound libraries to enhance the story such as ambience, sounds you see on screen, or in some cases the ones you don't see.

  • Foley is the art of recording new sound effects in sync with the picture to keep things natural such as footsteps, clothing movement, or prop usage.

  • Mixing sounds together, that way they all have their place and can be heard effectively.

  • Monitoring or Mastering final audio mixes to make sure they comply with industry loudness standards.

Q: What are the best ways to save money when it comes time for audio post-production for my project?

A: Contrary to the adage “we’ll fix it in post”, the absolute best and most effective way to save yourself time, money, and headaches in audio post-production is to capture the best sound you can on-set. While you may spend more time on-set waiting for a plane to fly by, a radiator to turn off, or fine-tuning the gain on your boom mic, your budget and your headspace will thank you in droves later. While audio post can do some incredible things to save poor audio, there is sometimes no saving an especially bad recording.

What this means for you:

Hire a production sound mixer/sound recordist for your set. This person will choose the best microphones, their positions, and their settings to get clear dialogue/FX that can slot into your project with ease. This will cost you more upfront but will save you countless hours and dollars in post.

Q: What specifications should I use when recording/sending audio to my mixer?

A: Post-production in visual media is done with audio files that are 24 bit / 48 kHz in the .wav format. Other file types such as the .mp3, .aac (Apple), or .ogg (Spotify) are generated using algorithms that omit audio information to save file space; this can introduce artifacts and unintentional sounds that detract from the original recording.

Q: When should I transfer my project to my mixer/sound designer?

A: Ideally, session transfer between an editor and sound designer will occur when the project is in picture lock. That way, you won’t have to spend time re-syncing sound effects, music, and dialogue based on a change in picture. Conforming audio to new video edits is a timely and costly process.

Q: How can I prep my session to save time and money in post?

A: A typical mix is separated into tracks grouped into one of three primary categories: Dialogue, Music, and Effects (DME, for short). When editing your project, make sure that the audio you are working with is organized into one of these three buckets. Do not cross-pollinate your buckets! For example, do not have an ambient recording sitting within a dialogue track or vice versa; otherwise, your mixer will have to adjust this later. Double-check with your mixer on how they organize their sessions as well; that way, they can spend less time organizing audio files after session transfer.

Q: How do I transfer my session to my mixer?

A: This answer depends upon the editing suite you work with. In general, you will generate what is called an AAF file. This is a file format that translates the information from a video editor into Pro Tools. Below is a resource guide on how to generate an AAF in each of the three major editing platforms: Avid Media Composer, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Final Cut Pro.

Avid Media Composer:

Avid has an Excellent Walkthrough Video that shows the step-by-step process to translate your project into an AAF file.

Adobe Premiere Pro:

Production Expert wrote an Informative Article in July 2021 walking Premiere editors through the AAF creation process. Alternatively, past clients have found this Walkthrough Video quite useful.

Final Cut Pro X:

Unfortunately, Final Cut Pro X does not support creation of an AAF file and thus requires more leg work to achieve. Instead, you will have to create an XML file, translate it through another application, and then export an AAF from that other application to be able to send to Pro Tools after.

  • X2Pro is a software application that reliably is able to do this using this Walkthrough Guide.
  • Another possibility is to use Apple's Logic Pro X to load the XML file and then export an AAF from there. This Walkthrough Video breaks down the steps to achieve this