(Part of Lee Prescott's rough guide to movie sound - go to page 1.)

When audio dubbing, mixing tracks, mixing down (on to final stereo or mono tracks), all your sound must be balanced. It's absolutely useless to drown out original speech, your commentary and FX with Beethoven's Third., Bach's Toccata and Fugue or whatever. On the other hand there's no point in dubbing music and FX, so quietly as to be inaudible. Experiment until you get the balance correct.

Always ensure that your sounds fade in and out appropriately, but there are exceptions such as a CUT from "Neddy" in his field to the Blacksmith just dropping his hammer onto a hot anvil! Or maybe you want to achieve an impact like Lizzie screaming her head off in a B.C.U. (Big close-up), as Fred trips down the stairs over his pyjama cord!

Since in the IAC we're not worried about where the next $16m is coming from making movies is fun - so, be happy and have a "lorra fun!"

• Go to page 1.
• Go to page 2: KIT (the essential equipment needed)
• Go to page 3: RECORDING (location and commentaries)
• Go to page 4: DUBBING (music and effects from CD)

Page updated on 21 March 2008

Authors' views are not necessarily those of The Institute of Amateur Cinematographers

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