~ Post 3 – Audio Planning – U5:2.1

Audio Planning – 
When you are wanting to record and create audio for something specific, it can be a very tedious process. You have to plan accordingly in order to get it right first time round. The paperwork involved in this process includes spotting sheets, cue sheets, various timetables and risk assessments, etc. These are all discussed below, with the same paperwork I made for my own audio production plan for my Mr Bean – Bully in the Launderette project. In order to make real use of the paperwork to help your production, it is important that you do the right research before you start filling the paperwork in. Make sure you have watched the video you are working with before you start trying to record the audio. It is vital that you have the pictured locked version of the video before you start making any audio. This is because if the video gets changed in anyway when you are in audio production, you might have to change your paperwork, or even some of the audio you have created. This will add more precious time onto your production, and also possibly eating away at your budget.

Spotting Sheet – 

 Below you will find the link to the full PDF.
spotting-sheet-pdf
In an audio production, a spotting sheet is used like the one above. A spotting sheet is used to write down what sound happens, or what should happen, at what time in the film. It also has the details of the sound type. In my production, the sound options I had were Foley, SFX, or music. Spotting sheets are a great starting point to any audio production in terms of paperwork.
How to use a spotting sheet –
It is quite easy to fill out a spotting sheet. You simply watch the film over and over, writing down the time when a specific sound should happen. Then write down sound it is, and the preferred sound type. It is best to have multiple blank copies of a spotting sheet, that way you can make a final version if you have made mistakes on previous copies. Treat your first as a draft, and write notes in the margin if you forgot about something. If you use a spotting sheet throughout the production, you will have a form to look back to so you know what sound is coming up next for you to record. It helps massively in the organisation of the production.

Foley Table – 

Above you will find the PDF link to the table showing how I will create the sounds, the equipment I will need, and the locations I will do it in.
foley-table-unit-5-j
A Foley table is basically a checklist you can refer to. It briefs the rest of your team what sounds you will be making. Rather than you having to explain each one individually, people can just look at the Foley table. You can also give it to the person in charge of props so they have a list of what you will need and why. Everyone involved in the production should have a Foley table so they understand what will be happening exactly throughout the day.
A Foley table is a great way of checking if you have gone through the film thoroughly and written down every sound you will need to make. Like I said previously, it acts as a checklist.

Cue Sheet –

Below is the link to the PDF of my cue sheet. It is basically a log sheet of what I thought of the sounds I had recorded after reviewing them.
cue-sheet-pdf
Some of the paperwork in audio production is very similar. After making the spotting sheet, you then move on to make a cue sheet. This takes all of your research into consideration. You will write the details of what materials will go into each sound, and what the sound is. In comparison to the pre-production paperwork done on a video production, the cue sheet basically acts as a log sheet for the audio. The main difference being that you write down how you are going to make the sound on a cue sheet.
On the cue sheet you will write whether the sounds you have recorded will be of any use to you, and if not, why. To make things easier in the edit, you also write down the track number of each recording. By doing this you are saving yourself time when labelling each sound, you won’t have to go through each sound having to guess what it is, you will know by referencing the track number.

Risk assessment for an audio production –

Above you will find the risk assessment I made for my audio production. On productions, the reason you have risk assessments is so that everyone will know what to do in case of an emergency like a fire, or someone getting badly injured, etc. A risk assessment lists the numbers of who to contact depending on who is primarily involved in an incident, and what number to call to get medical/professional help. A lot of the time on sets there will be a paramedic on standby if the set involves something that may cause harm, and on all sets there should be a qualified first aider and a full first aid kit. Although making a risk assessment can be a tedious and tiresome process, they are vital to have on set for everyones safety. Also, before a production starts it is important that everyone involved in briefed on what they should do in case of an emergency. This way their is less confusion and panic if one does happen.

Below is the log of what sounds occur in the film of Mr Bean, and when they happen. It will make things a little easier when it comes to edit the actual audio to match the film.
00:00-00:03 – In the titles, a stupid noise to represent Mr Bean starting
00:03 – Opening of the door
00:05 – Opening of the washing machine door
00:07-00:15 – Rustling of bag
00:16 – Clanging of metal on metal
00:18 – Hand bangs on metal
00:20 – Coins scraping
00:22 – Coins scrape individually
00:25 – Coins jingle
00:30 – Whip of karate belt
00:32 – Clothes being thrown into washing machine
00:36 – Mr Bean wonders (makes odd noise)
00:39 – Whip noise again (shorter than before)
00:41 – Mr Bean making agitated noise
00:44 – Ripping of box lid
00:46 – Washing machine lid opens (Petrol flap opening)
00:47 – Powder pours
00:48 – Washing machine lid opens (Petrol flap closes)
00:50 – Washing machine door closes
00:52 – Washing machine flap shuts (Petrol flap shuts)
00:56 – Soap being grated
01:06 – Washing machine flap shuts (Petrol flap closes)
01:08 – Metal scrape
01:10 – Grater being moved across surface
01:11 – Mr Bean murmurs