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What is pre-production?

The planning stage of filmmaking where scripts are finalized, locations are chosen, equipment is prepared, and the sound team plans recording requirements.

What happens during production?

The stage where filming takes place and dialogue, sound effects, and visuals are recorded on set.

What is post-production?

The stage after filming where audio and video are edited, ADR, Foley, music, and mixing are completed before release.

What is production dialogue?

Dialogue recorded live on set during filming.

What are production sound effects?

Natural sounds recorded on location during filming, such as footsteps, doors closing, or vehicles.

What is the role of music in film?

Music enhances emotion, supports storytelling, creates atmosphere, and guides audience reactions.

What is post-production dialogue (ADR)?

Dialogue re-recorded in a studio after filming to replace or improve production dialogue.

What are post-production sound effects (Foley)?

Custom-recorded everyday sound effects created in sync with the picture during post-production.

What are the objectives of location recording?

To capture clear dialogue, usable ambient sound, and production sound effects while minimizing unwanted noise.

What are synchronous tracks?

Audio recorded at the same time as the picture and synchronized with it.

What are asynchronous tracks?

Audio recorded separately from the picture and synchronized later.

What are timecode modes?

Systems that keep audio and video synchronized by using matching time references between recording devices.

Why is preparation important before location recording?

It ensures equipment is tested, locations are assessed, and recording plans are ready to avoid problems during filming.

How do recording environments affect sound quality?

Weather, traffic, echoes, wind, and background noise can reduce recording quality.

What is the sound cupboard?

A collection of essential sound equipment, accessories, batteries, cables, microphones, and backup gear used on set.

What are the roles and responsibilities of the production sound team?

To capture high-quality audio, monitor recordings, maintain equipment, and keep accurate records.

What is a sound report?

A document listing recorded takes, technical information, and notes for post-production.

Why is identification and logging important?

It helps editors quickly locate, organize, and synchronize recorded audio files.

What is production dialogue?

Dialogue recorded by actors during filming on location or set.

What are dialogue editing techniques?

Removing noise, selecting the best takes, smoothing edits, matching levels, and synchronizing dialogue.

What is ADR?

Automated Dialogue Replacement—the process of re-recording dialogue in a studio after filming.

Why is ADR used?

To replace noisy, unclear, or changed dialogue while matching the actors’ lip movements.

What is voice-over?

Narration or speech recorded separately from the visuals and played over the film.

What are production sound effects?

Sounds naturally recorded during filming, such as doors closing or props being handled.

What is spotting?

The process of deciding where sound effects or music should be placed in the film.

What are library sound effects?

Pre-recorded sounds stored in databases and added during post-production.

What is Foley recording?

Recording custom sound effects in sync with the picture to recreate everyday sounds like footsteps and clothing movement.

What is music spotting?

The process of deciding where music begins, ends, and changes within a film.

What is library music?

Pre-composed music licensed for use instead of creating an original score.

What is a cue sheet?

A document listing every piece of music used in a film, including timing, composer, and publisher details.

What happens during scoring sessions?

Musicians record the original soundtrack while watching the film to match the action.

What is film music editing?

Editing and synchronizing music so it fits the timing and emotion of the film.

What preparation is needed before mixing?

Organizing and editing dialogue, music, and sound effects into separate tracks ready for mixing.

What are pre-dubs?

Preliminary mixes of grouped audio elements (such as dialogue or Foley) completed before the final mix.

What happens during mixing sessions?

The mixer balances dialogue, music, and sound effects, adjusts levels, EQ, panning, and applies processing.

What are stems?

Separate grouped mixes (e.g., dialogue, music, effects) exported individually for flexibility in future versions.

What are delivery formats?

The final audio formats supplied for distribution, such as stereo, 5.1 surround, 7.1 surround, or Dolby Atmos.

Which film stage includes ADR and Foley?

Post-production.

Which sound component is recorded live on set?

Production dialogue.

What keeps audio and video synchronized?

Timecode.

What document helps editors identify recorded audio?

Sound report.

What is the difference between Foley and library sound effects?

Foley is custom-recorded for a film; library sound effects are pre-recorded and reused.

What is the purpose of a cue sheet?

To document all music used in a film.

What are stems used for?

To allow separate control of dialogue, music, and effects for different versions or future mixes.

What is the main goal of the final mix?

To balance all audio elements into a polished soundtrack ready for release.

Original location dialogue

Dialogue recorded live on set during filming

Wild track dialogue

Dialogue recorded on locartion seperately from the camera take

Post-synchronous dialogue (ADR)

Dialogue re-recorded in a studio after filming to replace or improve the original

Post-synchronous effects

Sound effects added after filming during post-production (e.g. footsteps, doors) - Foley

Effects from a library

Pre-recorded sound effects selected from a sound effects collection

Scored music

Original music composed specifically for a film or production

Source music

Music that ecists within the scene and can be heard by the characters (Diegetic)

Library music

Pre-existing, licensed music from a music library used in productions

What is the Red Book standard?

The standard for Compact Disc Digital Audio (CD-DA) developed by Philips and Sony. Key specifications include 74 minutes maximum playing time, 2-second minimum track duration, up to 99 tracks, and a 2-second gap before the first track.

What is a DDP image and why is it used?

A DDP (Disc Description Protocol) image is a digital image of a CD containing the audio, track IDs, CD-Text and ISRC codes. It avoids some physical CD/CD-R errors and can be uploaded digitally rather than physically shipped.

What are the key Apple Music mastering/delivery requirements?

Upload uncompressed 24-bit WAV (24-bit/96 kHz preferred), use –1 dBTP true-peak limiting, leave around 1 dB headroom, and target approximately –16 LKFS ±1 LU.

What loudness level does YouTube specify?

–14 LUFS, with true-peak limiting at –1 dBTP.

What format does Spotify recommend for delivery?

FLAC or WAV, with Spotify recommending FLAC.

What is SoundCloud's recommended upload format?

An uncompressed 24-bit WAV

What is the purpose of RIAA equalisation in vinyl mastering?

The presentation identifies RIAA curves as part of the vinyl mastering process; know that RIAA EQ is fundamental to the record-cutting/playback process.

What is inner-groove distortion?

Distortion that becomes an issue towards the inner part of a vinyl record; therefore, complex programme material is recommended towards the front of the side.

℗ symbol

Identifies ownership of the sound/master recording.

© symbol in music packaging

Identifies copyright ownership of the packaging and artwork.

Artist claims on packaging copyright (©)

Artists generally cannot claim packaging copyright unless they personally created or own those rights.

Three main areas of protection in music copyright

Song/Composition Copyright, Performers' Rights, and Master/Recording Copyright.

Hierarchy of music rights importance

1. Song, 2. Master, 3. Performers.

CDPA

Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

Default first owner of copyright under CDPA

The author or creator of the work.

Copyright transferability

Copyright can be bought, sold, rented/licensed, or gifted via written agreement.

Moral rights

Rights relating to attribution and integrity that can remain with the author even after economic copyright is transferred.

Scope of song copyright

Protects the underlying composition, including melody and lyrics.

Key elements associated with song copyright

Song, composition, melody, lyrics, songwriter, publishing, and publisher.

Mechanical right

The right to make physical or digital copies of a composition for reproduction and sale.

MCPS

Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society, the UK organisation managing mechanical rights.

Performance right

The right regarding public performance or communication of a song.

PRS

Performing Right Society, the UK organisation managing performance rights.

Print rights

Rights related to licensing printed score or sheet music, handled directly through the publisher.

Difference between song copyright and master copyright

Song copyright protects the underlying musical composition, whereas master copyright protects the specific audio recording.

Master copyright duration

Life of the creator plus 70 years.

Producer master rights

Granted based on individual contracts; may include composition rights if the producer contributed writing or backing tracks.

Performer credit agreements

Pre-agreed documentation establishing contribution, billing tier (main, featured, or non-featured), and compensation.

Three main areas negotiated in music agreements

Authorship, ownership, and revenue share.

PPL and PRS primary function

Collecting and distributing royalties when music is played or performed publicly.

Sales and MCPS primary function

Managing revenues from the copying or reproduction of music.

Synchronisation (sync)

Licensing music to run in timed relation with visual media like film, TV, ads, or games.

Two required sync licences

Sync Licence (for the composition) and Master Use Licence (for the master recording).

Default PRS royalty split

50% publisher / 50% songwriter.

Default MCPS royalty split

100% to the publisher.

Default PPL royalty split

50% master owner / 50% performers (prioritising the main artist).

Library music model

Music commissioned for media where the library company owns all rights and pays the artist an upfront fee.

Publishing deal

Agreement where a publisher controls song rights for a set duration in exchange for providing the songwriter a majority revenue share.

Publishing quota

Contractual requirement specifying the minimum number of completed songs a songwriter must deliver.

Retention term

The period following contract expiration during which a publisher maintains ownership/control over songs written during the contract.

Sub-publishing

Licensing local administration rights to foreign publishers, affecting international distribution and revenue handling.

McCarthy's 4 P's of marketing

Product, Price, Place, and Promotion.

Market penetration pricing

Setting an intentionally low initial price to gain market share rapidly.

Market skimming pricing

Setting a high initial price to capture high-value consumers before lowering it.

Loss leader pricing

Selling a product at a loss or minimal profit to attract customers to buy other items.

Intensive distribution

Distributing products through as many outlets as possible (e.g., impulse consumer items).