2. ADR: what is it and why is it necessary/useful?
Automated dialogue replacement, better known in its abbreviated form as ADR is the process of re-recording dialogue using the
original (or replacement) actor after filming. The purpose of this technique is to improve audio quality and reflect dialogue
changes.
When filming on a set, the audio captured will not always be of the best quality this is due to several factors such as, unwanted
background noise and dialogue being too quiet. To remedy this issue, ADR is used to enhance the sound quality. Audio recorded
in a studio is significantly more clear and distinct, therefore the audience will easily be able to immerse themselves into the
product.
Re-recording dialogue also means it can be edited freely in order to achieve the best possible result, for example the volume can be
manipulated so it is not too quiet.
Another benefit of ADR is that background noises can be removed so, that there aren’t any unintended noises (e.g. the wind)
interfering with the project. This ultimately determines the professionalism of the final product, because exterior sounds like the
wind can distract the audience from the dialogue and be quite tedious at the same time (This will influence the opinions viewers
have on the product).
3. ADR: what equipment is necessary and what is the process?
There are several pieces of equipment used during the process of re-recording dialogue, the main equipment consists of
microphones, preamplifiers, digital audio workstations, headphones, computers and monitors.
Preamplifiers are electronic amplifiers, they convert weak electrical signals into an output preventing distortion.
Digital audio workstations are the electronic devices and software (e.g Adobe audition, Logic Pro X) used for recording, editing
and producing audio files. DAWs translate to the computer and amplify sound.
There are several steps to recording ADR, the first is to open the footage onto the recording software being used, you then need to
seperate the original audio from the footage. Once both steps have been completed, the editor then needs to loop the line(s) that
is being re-recorded. The actor now needs to read out the necessary line into their microphone, which is then added to the footage.
4. ADR: Where has it been used and what are the risks of using
this technique?
ADR is used extensively in most audio-visual media products where dialogue is a factor, this is because of its many benefits.
Examples can be seen in many high-budget films and tv shows like, the Star Wars franchise and Breaking Bad.
There are few risks associated with ADR however, one potentially disastrous risk is that the newly recorded dialogue doesn’t
match up with the footage. If this happens the audience will be able to notice that ADR has been used and it could jeopardise the
overall merit of the audio-visual. In order to amend this issue editors should ensure that they’re matching up the audio clip in line
with the footage and the actor should record their dialogue several times, to find the best fit.
5. Voice Overs - what is the process/equipment needed?
The process
- Preparations: This includes finding a quiet place to record with little disruption, choosing a microphone, finding the right
software for recording/editing and having a base/finished script
- Test recording: This is to check audio levels and make sure the equipment is functioning properly before the full
recording
- Recording the audio: Restart if needed, or clap to mark a mistake
- Editing the audio: This is getting rid of any mistakes, re-taping any necessary material and finish the final product.
The equipment needed
- A microphone: Can be a USB microphone,Dynamic Broadcast Microphone or a Large Diaphragm Condenser
Microphone. They each have their positives and negatives
- Headphones: The VA needs to be able to hear themselves/other material whilst recording
- Microphone stand: To cut down on possible interference
- Shock mount: To reduce unwanted vibrations
- Pop filters: To diffuse the plosive sounds that can be picked up by the mic
6. Voice overs- why it is necessary and what makes it effective
Why are voice overs necessary?
Voice-overs are mostly used in films for quick exposition. For example, at the beginning of a film to
explain the situation and context of the scene / characters. Voice-overs are also used in
documentaries to provide the viewer with context on what they are seeing. In news reports, voice-
overs are used to explain images being shown to the viewer and provide further detail.
Another common place to hear voice-overs are in advertisements or public service announcements.
What makes a an effective voice over?
The effectiveness of a voice over, especially in advertising, can make or break whether a consumer engages with
the product.
To make an effective voice over, the voice over should match the message that is being put forward either by the
product of the visuals.
There are few cases where just a voice over alone will prove effective, so to make it effective utilise music, foley or
other actors.
The quality of the voice over will also play on its effectiveness. An audience will forgive bad visuals, but are less
forgiving on bad sound quality.
7. Examples of good voice-overs:
Voice-overs are a prominent feature throughout the media industry, their purpose is to help immerse the viewer into the media
product. Some notable examples include Toy story, The Jungle Book and The Lion King. Although, these are all animated
films voice-overs can be used in Live-action films for example, Goodfellas utilised the use of voice-overs to help narrate the
film.
Voice-overs used in Toy Story
Example of narration used in
Goodfellas
8. Examples of voice-overs gone wrong.
If a piece of audio is not edited in the correct way, the audience may not take the message seriously and just
discount it. They could interpret it in the ‘wrong’ way. There are several video games in which there were mistakes in
the delivery of the lines but they were kept in the final piece.
A well known example is the original Resident Evil game before the remaster in 2002.
The game was well received, but many were confused and felt that the bad acting during the voicelines affected the
overall gameplay. There were two voice track done, one in English and one in Japanese. The English one as used
but was no better than the japanese version.
The delivery of a line must be done with confidence of what it should sound like otherwise the audience will soon
pick up on the uncertainty of the voice actor and respond in a potentially negative way. If the delivery of a line does
not match the atmosphere that is created by the visuals then it will become known for having a bad voice over. This
places a negative view on the piece and the people involved.
