Edit Backgrounds Before Picture Lock with These Pro Tips

Feature film deadlines looming? Feeling the pressure to edit backgrounds once the picture lock is in?

Here's the good news: you don't have to wait!

Contrary to popular belief, you can begin crafting impactful background ambiences well before a final cut is delivered.  

This approach avoids the dreaded "reconform hell" scenario, where changes in the picture lock necessitate aggravating revisions to your sound design.

Let's dive into my strategies for tackling background editing –without ever opening Pro Tools.

Pre-Production Powerhouse: Research and Organization

While some sound designers have the luxury of starting with the script, that's not always the reality.  For most, the green light comes a few weeks before picture lock. But fret not! Here's how to maximize this pre-production window:

• The Power of the Rough Cut: Always request a rough cut to analyze. Take extensive notes! Identify every location, its time period, and capture screenshots of unique vehicles, weapons, props or other relevant details. I like to reverse Google Image search these screenshots to pinpoint its exact sound signature, like certain cars.

• Become a Location Detective: Compile a list of every location featured in the film. Consider the time period and research the typical soundscapes of those environments.

• Embrace the Spotting Session: If scheduling allows, a spotting session with the director can be invaluable. Use this opportunity to gain insights into the desired sonic atmosphere.

By laying this groundwork, you'll be well-equipped to source the perfect sounds for your project.

Sourcing Authentic Sounds: Building Your Sonic Arsenal

Now that you have a solid understanding of the film's sonic needs, it's time to gather the raw materials:

• Trusted Sound Libraries: Start with your go-to sound library vendors. Explore industry staples like A Sound Effect (https://asoundeffect.com/), Pro Sound Effects (https://prosoundeffects.com/), or Pond5 (https://pond5.com/) for specific one-off needs like a certain prop or car make and model.

• Wildlife Wisdom: For realistic soundscapes featuring animals, explore Xeno-Canto or Bird Watching HQ. These resources allow for targeted searches of specific birds and insects, and provides examples of what they sound like. You can widdle down the birdcalls you like before auditioning on your own.

• Embrace the Local Flavor: If your film takes place in a foreign country (for you), seek out recordings of regional crowds speaking the native language. YouTube travel vlogs often capture authentic sounds specific to a location – use them to your advantage when researching urban environments (think crosswalk signals, honking patterns, sirens, church bells).

Organization is Key: Building Your Sound Library Sub-Collections

With your sound effects and ambiences gathered, it's time for meticulous organization. The great part is that you can create this within your sound library manager of choice. My favorite is Soundly.

• Project-Specific Folders: Create a top-level folder named after your project.

• Interior/Exterior Subfolders: Divide this folder into subfolders for "Interior" and "Exterior" environments.

• Scene-Specific Subfolders: Within these subfolders, create dedicated subfolders for each distinct scene, especially scenes that characters frequently revisit (e.g., the protagonist's apartment, their workplace, etc.).

• Categorize as You Go: During your spotting session, add relevant sound effects and ambiences to the appropriate sub-collections for easy access later.

By investing a couple of hours in organization now, you'll save countless hours later when it comes to assembling your final background edits. This avoids the stop-and-go nature of traditional searching and cutting, allowing you to have everything readily at your fingertips.

Anything you do to prep for a film before picture lock arrives?