Job Description
The Sound department in the film industry is large. For this reason there are roles in it for many specialists and it is not easy to bring forward one profession.
During the production or the filming phase there are two major job positions you can fill:
As a PRODUCTION SOUND MIXER you are responsible for recording the highest possible quality of sound on location (this includes dialogue, sound effects, and ambience). You have to record sound according to the creative vision of the director, as well as read and interpret the script before filming to determine its technical requirements, and how to achieve them.
You also provide the audio mix to ensure the audio will work in editing for the final product.
As a BOOM OPERATOR you operate the boom microphone and maneuver it in tandem with the moving of the source of sound (actor, etc.) in order to record high quality sound material.
As a SOUND ASSISTANT or UTILITY you are usually present on larger productions. This is the entry position to become a boom operator or a sound mixer. You are required to do everything the sound mixer asks you to do, such as running and rolling cables, changing batteries, handling gear, wiring actors, planting mics, and operating the second boom.
In the post-production there are a variety of positions in which you can build your career as a sound specialist. For the needs of the Cinema Simulator we will use the umbrella title SOUND EDITOR to describe the major activities you might be required to do in the post. As a whole, you are responsible for the acquisition of all sound effects and music for the needs of the film production.
You synchronise the soundtracks to the picture, add sound effects, dialogue tracks and other elements, and do the final balancing.
In post-production, sometimes it is necessary for you to recreate different kinds of sounds in order to replace the existing ones for better quality. Other times, the film genre requires the creation of odd and unusual sounds, and you and your team are the ones to do them.
Of course, each film needs its COMPOSER. In this very creative job you make the original score which is part of the film soundtrack. You are using computer softwares as well as an actual orchestra with real instruments and vocals.
Production:
- Set up and take down all sound equipment.
- Maintain and repair sound equipment so that the production of the audio can run smoothly without stalling.
- Be physically fit to stand and hold the boom for a long time.
- Record sound for the film on set. This includes all actors’ dialogue during every take as well as “wild tracks,” which means any location sounds that the post-production team would want to use in the film, or as reference.
- Provide the mix of the recorded sound on location so that it is easier for the director and for the script supervisor to assess the general quality of the take.
- Deliver good quality and well organised audio files.
Post-production:
- Make sure the audio syncs up accurately with the visuals on screen
- Edit the dialogue recorded on set
- Clear all noises from the recordings made on set.
- Mix and master the music
- Re-record, mixing the whole audio layers and design the final sound of the film, including the music, sound effects, atmospheres, dialogues aso.
- Develop the sound concept for a project and a sound map or storyboard from a script or project description
- Organisational skills
- Communication skills
- Creativity
- Attention to detail
- Ability to work in a team
- Reliability
- How to understand and control some of the characteristics of sound
- Basic sound knowledge and important terms
- Rules on set
- Responsibilities of the different types of sound specialists
Director, 1st AD, Producer, Actors, DOP, 2nd AC, Script Supervisor
Set up Situation
You are no stranger to sound. In fact you already have some working experience in your friends’ studios and on the set of short film productions. You have a really good ear and you follow the technological trends.
So, it is not much of a surprise when a friend of yours calls to offer you work on his romantic comedy debut film. This might be a good chance to climb the ladder in the sound departments of the film industry, and take it professionally.