Overview of the role
The sound effects editor works within the sound post-production team and is responsible for layering many different types of sounds to create a detailed, balanced and well organised set of tracks for the re-recording mixer to blend with the other elements of a soundtrack. These various sounds can be sourced from sound libraries or recorded by the sound effects editor and may involve creating bespoke sound design from scratch for specific elements of the film.
The sound effects editor needs to understand the emotion and narrative of the project and one way of achieving this to attend a spotting session with the filmmakers prior to starting work.
The sound effects editor will use specialised digital audio workstation (DAW) software such as Avid Pro Tools or Steinberg’s Nuendo to “tracklay” and manipulate sound. A sound effects editor will normally have an extensive and well organised sound library, but will be expected to know how to create customised sound.
The most important role of the sound effects editor is the ability to think laterally about how to achieve aurally what a sound, scene or film creatively requires.
Core responsibilities
These core responsibilities are provided as a guide and are not exhaustive. The exact responsibilities in a particular job will vary depending on the scale / budget band / genre of the production.
- Watch rough cuts and identify areas that may need the most creative work or time.
- Be prepared for spotting sessions with notes, questions and ideas for sequences that are likely to be discussed
- Communicate with directors and picture editors about creative direction
- Communicate technical and aesthetic ideas to clients who may or may not have deep technical knowledge
- Identify areas of concern to clients, come up with possible solutions
- Communicate with picture edit about possible sound effects needed before picture lock
- Communicate with re-recording mixer and / or supervising sound editor about creative direction
- Communicate with re-recording mixer about their preferences regards layout of tracks and splitting of different categories of sounds
- Communicate with dialogue editor about who will deal with which sound elements from turnover
- Organise picture edit guide sound effects for ease of access by re-recording mixer
- Source sound effects, either from libraries, contacts within the sound community or production specific communities or by recording new material
- Create bespoke sound design using appropriate techniques and software
- Understand the contribution of dialogue and music to the final soundtrack so that appropriate amount and type of FX are provided for re-recording mixer
- Take into account re-recording mixer preferences regards layout of tracks and splitting of different categories of sounds
- Understand re-recording mixers role and the process of the final mix and provide options of different sounds and layers where appropriate
- Understand client intention and interpret the narrative of the guide sound effects track
- Maintain consistent organisation of session so that time is not spent by re-recording mixer re-organising session
- Re-conform elements in session based on picture edit changes
- Clearly label and notate decisions made and options provided in FX edit session e.g. where options are provided and if changes have been made to picture editors choices of sound
- Ensure DAW session tracks are laid out as re-recording mixer and supervising sound editor require, in a template supplied by assistant re-recording mixer if requested
- Ensure session is cleanly organised, with no extraneous material on timeline. Anything in the session must have a purpose, either as primary material or an option.
- Deliver as decided by supervising sound editor and / or post production supervisor, using either secure online service or in person
Skills
Check out role specific skills, transferable skills and attributes for the role of sound effects editor.
- Creativity: understanding the story being told and emotions the director is trying to achieve. Offering ideas for sounds and creative direction which complement the film and its overall aesthetic.
- Wider interest: an active passion for sound and film. Historical knowledge of film sound and current trends in filmmaking can help identify sounds and styles asked for by a director.
- Attention to detail: spotting elements within shot that need sound and arranging multiple layers to provide re-recording mixer with enough material to work with. Changing style of sounds to appropriately match differing footage, i.e. archive vs reconstruction.
- Highly organised: maintaining a clearly labelled and organised session that can be easily navigated by the re-recording mixer and supervising sound editor.
- Problem solving: ability to provide creative and achievable solutions to solve issues that clients may have. Proposing sound solutions to story or picture issues.
- Collaboration: ability to work with the director and with other departments
- Calm under pressure: post production is the last stage of a long process. Issues and delays prior to post sound starting might mean that there is little room for error in the schedule and changes may be made right up until the final mix. Staying calm and on track is essential.
- Breadth of knowledge: deep understanding of sound software, knowing which provides the best solution for the problem at hand and the needs of the production. Understanding how your part in the final stages works with the other departments and within your own department, to be able to manage your work to provide the information or deliveries needed at every stage of the production.
- Clear and accurate communication: ability to communicate with everyone across the post production process, including the ability to explain the technical to non technical collaborators. Concise and precise responses to problems and clearly lay out solutions to those problems. Ability to communicate creative ideas in an engaging way but also communicate with other departments to provide and explain technical processes and solution.
- Providing solutions: faced with challenging sound sequences or ideas the ability and experience to devise creative solutions. Being willing and able to look beyond established workflows and solutions to solve problems.
- Taking direction: being able to adjust to different workflows based on the re-recording mixer or supervising sound editors preferences. Being able to work alone without supervision. Where appropriate using initiative to solve problems without requiring further direction from supervising sound editor or re-recording mixer.
- Flexibility: changing working methods depending on late arrival of materials, legal changes or deadlines. Being adaptive to picture edit changes.
- Time management: knowing when the requirements of a production may not be achievable and alerting post production supervisor or supervising sound editor. Being able to prioritise essentials and be clear about what is achievable in the current schedule. Able to adjust speed and detail of work to scheduled time whilst still delivering high quality results. Able to juggle needs of production with needs of supervising sound editor or re-recording mixer.
- Resilience under pressure: deadlines can be moved and unforeseen delays can occur at any stage of post production. Picture edit changes due to legal issues may require re-conforming previously finished work.
- Proactively exploring new technology: sound technology is always changing, sound effects editors should always be aware and understand the latest additions to their toolkits. Know what new solutions are available and be able to communicate these with clients and other members of the sound department.
- Professional development: active interest in the industry as a whole, suggesting any technical changes and advances which could be used to improve workflow. Interest in furthering knowledge and understanding of the final mix process to provide better work in the future. Sharing of knowledge and explaining the parts of the sound process to other departments or assistants to enable everyone in the process to offer better workflows.
- Highly organised: clear labelling of decisions and processes. Maintenance of an organised audio session throughout post and especially on delivery to re-recording mixer.
- Time aware: able to adjust speed and detail of work to a scheduled time whilst still delivering high quality results.
- Feedback: ability to take feedback and critique of work from both clients, supervising sound editor and re-recording mixer. Working with collaborators to achieve what they want is part of the process and changes to the audio session quickly and efficiently without too much emotional attachment to your work.
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