Good sound and picture does not happen by accident nor on its own. It requires concerted efforts from all the production executives (producer, director, production manager) as well as from members of the crew. Success in every aspect of filmmaking hinges upon decisions made early on during the pre-production process.
From location scouting, crewing, and dealing with rental houses, this series covers essentials of the pre-production process.
The Route to Achieving Good Production SoundGood production sound does not happen by accident nor on its own. It requires concerted efforts from all the production executives (producer, director, production manager) as well as from members of the crew. Achieving good Production Sound, as does every aspect of filmmaking, hinges upon decisions made early on during the pre-production process.
Putting Together the CrewAttitude is important. Professional results in any phase of production will not happen unless everyone involved thinks, identifies, and performs as “professionals”. Simplistic as it may seem, no producer/director is going to achieve consistently good Production Sound without having a qualified team officially assigned to that crew function.
Learn from the old pro’s as much as you can, and as often as you can. This advice applies especially to the aspiring or novice Production Mixer. I have been in the sound business for well over a decade, yet I still find myself learning from peer professionals. There is so much to learn, and only a lifetime to do it in. Only fools think they know too much to continue learning.
The basic production sound crew consists of the Mixer, the Boom Operator, and the Utility Sound Technician. The Mixer is the head of the Production Sound Department (usually just called the Sound Dept.) on a show. The Mixer is responsible for recording the dialogue and effects necessary for the editors to cut the show. Crew and equipment contributing to that end fall under the supervision and control of said mixer.
