Production sound is the complex craft of recording live dialogue and sound effects on set during filming. It requires a blend of creative judgement and technical expertise to deal with challenges like noise problems, equipment failures, and changes in blocking or performance. The production sound mixer fills several roles, operating audio equipment while also serving as a sound editor, director, and member of the filmmaking team.

1. What is Production Sound? The forgotten half of filmmaking.

2. Production Sound defined Complex craft of recording live dialogue and sound effects on the set during principal photography (production). Craft = Mix of technical & artistic On the set = not a recording studio Live = not the control of post

3. Requires a blend of Creative judgement Technical expertise Acceptable compromise

4. Art of Problem Solving Spot potential noise problems before shooting Control environmental sounds Good mic placement is critical Equipment failure Changes in blocking & performance

5. Mixer is part engineer Operation of audio recorders Operation of mixing consoles Familiarity with mics On-set communications

6. Mixer is part Sound Editor Quality of recorded dialogue Consistency of levels Ability to intercut between scenes Perspective Usable sound effects & backgrounds Alternate material for soundtrack

7. Mixer is part Director Story telling thru dialogue Story telling thru sound design How can the soundtrack serve to advance the storyline or add a new dimension to the visual element?

8. Filmmaking is a team effort Not shooting an “audio” Picture and Sound both convey the story Not a contest to see if Camera or Sound Departments will “reign supreme” Sometimes Camera must yield to good dialogue and sometimes Sound needs to back off for picture

9. Mixing is creative Don’t have to be an electronics whiz Just need to know how to use the gear; not how to service it! More important to understand post-production so you know WHAT to record on the set for the editors to use later.

10. Sound stages are not quiet Film sets are not conducive to sound Deal with background noise Echo and reverb; bad acoustics Camera angles & lighting hinder mic placement Blocking and performance can make sound mixing difficult