Hi everyone!
Today I want to talk about giving feedback in audio production. I am in the middle of doing exactly that for one of our upcoming projects, Hardcastle’s Hell.
When I received the latest file, I was told it represented the broad direction of the scene, but I was not told what was final and what was not. The file included dialogue, sound effects, and some early soundscaping.
There were a few pacing issues in the dialogue that needed adjusting, and I also had notes about the soundscaping. In one section it was missing due to a small misunderstanding about the context. So I mentioned it to my amazing editor, Jeroen!
Here is the key point:
If you are giving feedback and are in doubt, give all the feedback you have.
Obviously, do that in an empathetic way that accepts some elements may be preliminary… but if something’s not working for you, don’t assume it’s a placeholder!
It is always better when the editor explains what is final, what is a suggestion, and what is a placeholder. When that does not happen, give every comment that comes to mind. If you do not, you may end up regretting it when something unintended makes it into the final mix.
Clear communication saves time, money, and frustration for everyone involved… so do everything you can to get clarity from your editor, then be as clear as possible back!
– Ed
