Audio Production for Film, Video and 3D Projects
Compact Seminar
-
- Language of instruction
- English
- Semester offered
- SS 2022
- Schedule
One week
- Date(s) & Time
- Full-day
- Contact hours per semester
- 25
- Location
- Room 351
- Instructor(s)
- Lorenz Schwarz
Sound is an indispensable aspect of many films, animations, videos, 3D/VR environments, and digital moving images. The course presents an overview of the different areas in audio production: recording, editing, and mixing. Theoretical key concepts needed to work with sound in multi-media are introduced, and categories of sound including dialogue, ambience, sound effects, Foley, and music are discussed and analyzed.
The course covers the functionality and use of microphones and recording devices. Different microphone characteristics, arrangements, and placement strategies related to acoustic considerations are compared and studied. Practical exercises include dynamic booming, field recording, room miking, sound dubbing, and Foley techniques. Technical tools and accessories such as windshields, shock mounts, windscreens, and pop filters are examined. Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs), multitrack mixing, equalization, mix automation, and audio plug-ins are also presented.
This one-week intensive seminar develops comprehensive understanding of working with sound in film and time-based media. Students acquire essential skills in location sound including microphone operation, boom handling, and lavalier placement, as well as post-production processes including audio editing, synchronization, dialogue restoration, and professional sound effects creation.
The seminar is held in English or German as requested by participants and is open to students from all departments. Enrollment is limited to 8 participants.
Course Content
- Microphone techniques and boom operation
- Location and field sound recording
- Basics of acoustics and media fundamentals
- Foley, ADR, and voiceover production
- Dialogue recording and editing
- Sound effects creation, layering, and design
- Mixing and surround sound production
- Post-production workflows including cross-platform data transfer
- Practical assignments and collaborative review sessions
Prerequisites
- Basic skills in film editing using software such as Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or similar tools required
- Familiarity with audio editing in Digital Audio Workstations beneficial but not mandatory
- Suggested resources Neumann Homestudio Academy Microphone Basics, A Brief Guide to Microphones
- Software Audacity (free, open-source DAW for basic audio editing), REAPER (affordable professional DAW)
Learning Objectives
- Develop comprehensive understanding of working with sound in film and time-based media
- Gain proficiency in microphone operation for various recording scenarios
- Master techniques for location sound and field recording
- Learn post-production processes including dialogue editing and professional sound effects creation
Credits
- Grundlagennachweis Sound / Raumklang (Foundation Certificate)
- Workshop-Nachweis Medienkunst (Workshop Credit)
Methods
- Technical lectures on acoustics, microphone theory, and audio fundamentals
- Hands-on demonstrations of equipment and recording techniques
- Practical exercises in field recording, boom operation, and Foley production
- Collaborative film sound production sessions
- Group critique and review of assignments
Assessment tasks
- Conduct field recordings using various stereo microphone techniques to capture different spatial characteristics
- Collaboratively stage a film set or location sound session focusing on dialogue recording with boom microphone and mobile audio recorder
- Develop a comprehensive audio track for a short film or video demonstrating proficiency in recording, editing, and mixing
Workload
- In-class time approximately 35 hours over one week (including lectures, demonstrations, and practical exercises
- Independent work approximately 20 hours outside of class for assignments and project work
- Total approximately 55 hours
Recommended literature
- Brixen, Eddy B. Audio Metering: Measurements, Standards and Practice. 3rd ed., Routledge, 2020.
- Görne, Thomas. Sounddesign: Klang, Wahrnehmung, Emotion. 2nd ed., Hanser, 2017.
- Görne, Thomas. Tontechnik. 4th ed., Hanser, 2014.
- Katz, Robert A. Mastering Audio: The Art and the Science. 3rd ed., Focal Press, 2015.
- Raffaseder, Hannes. Audiodesign. Hanser, 2010.