Film & Television Course Curriculum - Audio Recording Skills
Overall Aim:
To prepare students for:
(a) Trainee Audio / Sound recording positions in the Film, Video and Television Industry
(b) Assist a Sound Recordist
(c) Mix and Record sound on trainee short film/video productions.
To achieve this the Audio Recording skills curriculum includes the following.
5-01. An introduction to
(a) the Audio Recording and Mixing sector of the Film, Video and Television Industry;
(b) the work of Sound Recordists;
(c) the Audio department and other production personnel or crew employed on various productions, ranging from short programme items to full length documentaries and feature films.
(d) The responsibilities and duties of each member of the Audio department, and the way they and their work inter-relates with other departments and crew members.
5-02. An introduction to, and practical experience in, setting up and operating all the equipment, facilities, materials and supplies used by the Film, Video & Television Industry Audio Departments, as well as a basic knowledge of the equipment and facilities utilised by other departments and how these inter-relate with the Audio Department.
5-03. A basic introduction to, and theoretical knowledge of, the nature and physical properties of human hearing, sound and acoustics. Also a basic technical knowledge of the conversion of sound waves into electrical impulses and the electronic amplification, recording and reproduction of these impulses back into actual sounds.
5-04. An introduction to, and practical experience at, carrying out the following Sound Recording skills:
(a) Setting up equipment and connecting audio/power cables;
(b) operation of switches and controls on Microphones Audio Mixers, and VCR-Recorders;
(c) monitoring of audio levels, to ensure maximum dynamic range / signal to noise ratio recording levels;
(d) correct microphone selection, placement separation, control and operations;
(e) solving audio recording problems including dynamic range, acoustic reverberation, direct, conducted, electrical, wind, and distortion noises etc;
(f) equipment/facility bookings, material/supply ordering & routine equipment maintenance.
5-05. An introduction to and practical working experience in the following essential Audio Recording skills:
(a) Camera shots, angles, compositions, framing and movements
(b) Recording of atmosphere, wild, guide, and buzz tracks
(c) Audio Continuity
(g) Audio design and coverage style
(h) Microphone reach and noise levels
(i) Acoustic shielding and reflecting
(j) Atmospheric recordings and mixes.
5-06. A practical working skill and knowledge in the following essential pre-production planning requirements:
(a) Project/Script Research
(b) Location Recce’s
(c) Liaising with Producer, Director, Art Director and Heads of other Departments to plan, schedule and establish all equipment, facility, supply and material requirements.
5-07. An introduction to the audio equipment hire companies, broadcasting and production companies as well as all the various freelance personal/crew who make up the NZ Film, Video and Television industries & the projects that these companies and people especially Sound Recordists are working on.
5-08. A basic practical work experience in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of a Sound Recordist / Recording assistant, on an extensive series of film/video productions graduated from short television news items and television commercials to short 10-15 minute duration television documentaries and drama programmes. (For details refer to production schedule.)
5-09. A basic practical experience at supervising and communicating clearly with all sound department crew as well as other production personnel in order to creatively and dynamically co-ordinate their work with your own.
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