Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

MM 274: Sound Production for Video

In this class we will focus on field sound recording for video projects, focusing on "on set" narrative filmmaking.
The course schedule is divided into two sections: Primary Instruction (week 1-6) and On Set Collaborative Production (week 7-12)

Primary Instruction (weeks 1-6)
We will learn the basics of on set sound recording, including:

• Microphone types, selection, and use 
• Boom microphone operation
• Proper set-up and dressing of wireless lavalier microphones on actors, working respectfully with actors
• Audio level monitoring
• Audio recording in multiple environments (indoor, outdoor, moving scenes, single and multiple actors)
• Live mixing of multiple audio sources
• Troubleshooting

We will also learn techniques in other narrative sound production methods (voice over, ADR), basics of editing field recorded sound, and delivery of recorded/edited audio media to post-production. Students will perform multiple production and editing exercises during and outside of class, and will be evaluated on those projects as well as their collaborative work in class.

On Set Collaborative Production (weeks 7-11) 

During this unit students will use the skills learned in the previous section by serving as the Production Sound Department for film projects developed in MM 261: Narrative Production. These projects will be produced in collaboration with MM 261 and our class, as well with students in MM 145: Acting for Recording and MM 269: Production Design and Art Direction.

Our class members will be divided into groups of 3-4 students, who will work as a team with one of the 4 group productions from MM 261.

This will be a wonderful opportunity to gain real film set experience, and to collaborate with a many talented PCC student artists!

Along with demonstrating skills developed in Section 1 on active film sets, students will learn:

• On set etiquette
• How to communicate effectively with other crew members (terminology, organizational structure)
• How to respectfully interact with actors, communicating clearly, maintaining consent while setting/dressing mics, getting clear audio levels
• Cable rigging and safety
• Logging audio during production
• Preparing recorded audio to pass on to post-production crew