Director feedback on Sound Design and Alien Voices - Audio Post Production Part 4

photo credit: chuck_heston

This is part 4 in a series of filmmaking discussions on audio post-production for the open source SciFi movie Jathai’s Wager.

Ok, I watched and listened to it a bunch of times, gave it a few days, watched it again and here is my feedback. Regarding dialogue replacement, when we start filming the complete movie I’ll be sure to test and re-test our sound to ensure no cut offs.

We wrote, shot, and put together the prequel on an extremely short timeline to get our team working together so I could adequately prepare and solve challenges that will arise in the regular film shoot.  I could definitely record synced audio for the parts where Jathia is cut off, Not sure about getting the actress to come in again (can try). I have recording abilities here.  Would having the actors watch the clip and then say the line in “time” with the video work?  For this trailer I think the short cuts outs are ok, but I’ll make absolutely sure to triple check the audio for the next shoot.

I like the deep base and the alarm sound in the beginning.  I think the deep base rumble could be even more pronounced, but I would keep the the alarm type sound the same - it’s perfect.

I LOVE the sound for the eye, especially the part where it warps the voice of Ashira as she talks, definitely leave that in - you “nailed it” - that’s the exact emotional effect I wanted.  The volume on the dialogue sections is a little loud, but you mentioned that in your e-mail so I assume it will be fixed in the final mix.  I also added one change the video, but it doesn’t affect the time or scenes in any way.  I simply added a longer fade from white when it transitions  to the closeup of Jathia after the portal, like I said it is a video change only, no effect on time or scenes at all.

I think the scene where Ashira and then Jathia runs though the portal should have a little more emphasis on the sound effects and I think the music should be a little more subtle.  Also the feeling of confusion in the close-up scene with Jathia is good, but I think it should be “more”.  I want to feel more confusion.  Maybe add some additional sounds on top of the sound effects and music that’s already there.  Maybe have a “sub melody” start when they’re running through the portal and be “on top” of the bass music that plays throughout.  I’m not sure, I’m open to suggestions, but the main thing is that I want the sound to relay a more “confused” feel for Jathia.  In that shot he just finished running after Ashira -  he’s transported to another area and he doesn’t know exactly what happened or where she is.  I want to “feel” that more.

The long “hanging” sounds at the end are great, in the black space I’ll probably have a text message announcing that Jathia’s Wager will be released online and give the website address.

I know I was a little late in sending this feedback to you.  If you need a few more days after the deadline, that’s cool, although if we can still do November 9, that would be awesome so I could show all the actors, actresses, and technical people the prequel trailer and they could get a hint at what the finished film will look like.

Solomon

Hi Solomon,

Really glad you like the general direction of it, and its great for us to get your feedback as the overseeing director, so we can improve…

We will try to tweak this as requested in the next day or two..  I was thinking about adding a sort of warbly ‘internal’ voice to the redeye, sort of a robotic and organic murmer that only the camera hears.

Maybe a bit like one of those aliens from the cantina scene in starwars 4…  BTW what would you say to a windy cold scene?

We are still thinking that it could enhance things in this future environment.

Anyway, stay in touch and let us know what happens with the casting!

Good luck!!!

Ami

View part 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 of this series of filmmaking discussions on audio post-production for the open source SciFi movie Jathai’s Wager.

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