Film Sound & Mixing Basics

Display Schedule

Subject guarantor

Name of lecturer(s)

Tomáš DORUŠKA

Contents

Koordinátor/ Coordinator: Tereza Koldová (dok.incubator)

Termíny a místo konání/Date and time: 1-2 March 2024, 12:00 - 16:00

místnost/room 2002 – STUDIO FAMU

Uzávěrka/ deadline: 29/02/2024

Podmínky atestace/Assignement: 2 kredity / 2 credits

Kapacita/Capacity: 10

Volitelný pro/Optional for: celá fakulta FAMU

Jazyk výuky/Language of teaching: Angličtina/ English

Obsah předmětu/Course summary:

A hands-on approach to the art and technique of sound in film. During this course students will learn not only the fundamentals of sound and mixing, they will learn how to implement all the core aspects/layers of sound in order to heighten and propel narrative in visual story telling. We will work with a test footage (a non-mixed short film) together. This module will be at least two parts, each part will be divided into two days. First part of the module is focused on learning the techniques and applications. At the end of the module, students will be given a scene to experiment, and the second session will focus on their work.

Course Agenda

Module 1/1 Introduction: Understanding Sound

Introduction of elements of sound in film and fundamentals of audio. Learning the file types, exports and waveform analysis. Defining the differences between mono, stereo and 5.1. Examining the mixing room, monitors, speakers and control panel & console.

Digital Audio Workstations & Pro Tools

Introduction to Pro Tools, the most advanced tool for editing, recording and mixing audio. The DAW is a tool used in virtually all aspects of film and television audio workflow. Getting familiar with Pro Tools’s interface, features, tools and shortcuts.

Setting up a convenient and comprehensible project. Importing AAF/OMF files. Learning the tracks, grouping and color coding accordingly. Defining inputs, outputs and learning how to change them.

Audio Effects & plug-ins

What are common editing techniques and audio effects? Terminology and brief introduction of most im-portant effects: EQ, Compressor, Reverb. What is plug-in? Learning the industrial standard plug-ins: Fab Fil-ter, Valhalla, iZotope. Brief introduction of terminology of noise reduction. Understanding audio effect tools for processing and manipulation.

Getting Started with the Mix

Importing the session files for the test film. Learning to “active listening”. Soloing & muting tracks to identify the problems and planning to how to approach them. Leveling the tracks. Understanding the importance of “headroom”.

Before processing audio tracks and clips, we start with adjusting the levels (volumes) of the tracks.

Module 1/2 SFX, Foley, Ambience & Music

Importing and placing basic SFX, foley and ambience sounds. Learning to use sound effect libraries like Soundly and Freesounds. What aspects to look at while choosing sound? Starting to use temporary music tracks and editing them.

Dialogue Editing

An in-depth overview of Dialogue editing and layout for mix. Getting experienced with the audio waveform analysis. Principles of Dialogue processing, EQ, compression and noise reduction: de- hum, de-click, de-crack and de-esser.

SFX and Foley Editing

Audio manipulation aids the editor to create authentic sounds. Students will get familiarize with audio effects and start producing different sounds from basic SFXs. Importance of layering and getting fuller & richer sounds. Getting started with Sound Design

Space

Adding spatial information to the mix and placing the sounds into the diegetical space of the film. Getting started with understanding Reverb and its parameters. Students will start learning auxiliary tracks, busses and sends. Basic execution of auxiliary track through Reverb effect.

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Module 2 will focus on in-depth sound design, getting familiar with recording and processing. We will focus on students’ work and develop them. Students will advance to use the console and learn automation possibili-ties. If needed third part of the module can be initiated.

Learning outcomes

Montage students will benefit from this course by developing a greater understanding of the role sound plays in film production. Its technical and creative uses are explored through hands-on approach. By the end of the course, montage students will develop fundamental skill in mixing. As editors, we are not obliged to know mixing & mastering processes. However, knowing the fundamentals will help you to under-stand the possibilities of sound, explore your creativeness through sound and communicate with sound post-production crew coherently. With the knowledge they will get from this module, editors will be able to do the sound design and mixing for small, individual projects.

Prerequisites and other requirements

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Literature

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Evaluation methods and criteria

100% participation

Note

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Further information

This course is an elective for all students of this school

Schedule for winter semester 2023/2024:

The schedule has not yet been prepared

Schedule for summer semester 2023/2024:

The subject is a part of the following study plans

• Montage_2020 (Elective subjects)
• Editing - Bachelor-1920-1year (Elective subjects)
• Editing - Bachelor_2021 (Elective subjects)
• Editing - Master_2021 (Elective subjects)