Feature film sound requirements
One of the more difficult challenges for an independent filmmaker is distribution. One of the most overlooked elements to distribution is the sound requirements.
WHAT YOU NEED
For a feature film release, distributors will require the following
-Lt/Rt mix
-5.1 mix
-Lt/Rt M&E track
-5.1 M&E track
-DM&E track
In order to create an M&E (Music & Effects) track, Foley recording (human sound effects recorded in sync with the picture) will be needed for the entire film. This is required for foreign sales so that dialogue can be dubbed.
Sound work for a feature-length film can take anywhere from four to eight weeks to complete. Those who have thought otherwise have found themselves on the wrong end of broken promises and missed deadlines. A good rule of thumb is to expect to spend approximately 2 hrs, in sound post, for every minute of your film.
The Post Audio Process
Once you have locked your film and exported an OMF/AAF file, here are just some of the critical tasks you will need to undertake to produce quality sound for your indie film:
• Clean up dialogue
• Sound design and construction of ambiances
• Foley the entire film (this is essential for M&E track)
• ADR if necessary
(ADR will add more time to post schedule)
• Compose music and deliver with stems.
• Deliver source (diegetic) music
• Review a Rough Mix
• Make Notes for final Mix
• Approve a Final Mix
• Create a 5.1, 7.1 or ATMOS Mix
• Deliver appropriate files to dub house
to be laid back into film.
If you are planning on screening theatrically or at film festivals, you may need to create a Digital Cinema Pack. (DCP)
Once a distributor has picked up your film, it will undergo a Quality Check (QC). You will be given a QC Report and may be asked to make corrections to your sound and/or picture before your film can be accepted for release.
Panetta Studios can partner with you through the entire process and prepare your film for Distribution.
Considering all the time, energy and expense you’ve put into your film, you want to be as prepared as possible when a distribution deal is on the table.
Angelo Panetta
Panetta Studios
Creating an Immersive Soundtrack
Sound design should bring to life, with sound, the filmmaker's vision. It should always be inspired from the story that is being told through pictures.
This is also true of the mixing. The job of the film re mixer is to remove all distractions, balance the dialog and dramatically lift the movie in order to totally immerse the audience.
SOUND DESIGN
Sound design most commonly involves the manipulation of previously composed or recorded audio, such as sound effects and dialogue. In some instances it may also involve the composition or manipulation of audio to create a desired effect or mood.
FOLEY
Foley is the reproduction of everyday sound effects that are added to film, video, and other media in post-production to enhance audio quality. These reproduced sounds can be anything from the swishing of clothing and footsteps to squeaky doors and breaking glass
DIEGETIC SOUND
Diegetic sound is any sound presented as originated from source within the film's world. Digetic sound can be either on screen or off screen depending on whatever its source is within the frame or outside the frame. Another term for diegetic sound is actual sound
RE RECORDING MIXING
A Re Recording Mixer is part of a post-production sound team and works specifically with voice over, dialogue, music and sound effects to create the final soundtrack for a movie / television production.
M & E
An M & E track is needed when films are dubbed into another language. The M & E track (music and effects) contains all sound elements minus dialogue which is then supplied by the foreign distributor in the native language of its territory.
ADR
(Automatic Dialog Replacement or Looping)
ADR is the process of replacing unusable camera audio. The actor, prompted through a series of beeps and while looking at footage of their performance, re-performs their lines trying to match the wording and lip movement.
Film Services
DIALOG EDITING
Reducing background noise,
Removing clicks, smoothing of dialog.
DIALOG EDITING
SOUND FX EDITING
Adding ambiences, layered FX,
sound design and Foley.
SOUND FX EDITING
ADR
Recording and replacing
unusable camera dialog.
ADR
MUSIC EDITING
Cutting and pasting
music stems.
MUSIC EDITING
RE RECORDING MIXING
Stereo, 5.1, 7.1,
and ATMOS mixing.
RE RECORDING MIXING
MUSIC AND EFFECTS
Tracks for dubbing into
foreign languages.