Sound of someone in the distance? at DVinfo.net

Travis Johnson · June 12th, 2007, 12:42 PM

In the first scene of my short film there is a static shot of an actor laying on the ground tied up whilst the other actor is walking around in the background from room to room. I have recorded the dialogue on two seperate tracks. Each has the voice of both actor with the boom mic near them because I have only one mic. What can I do to make my actor walking around sounds like just that.

Todd Giglio · June 12th, 2007, 01:03 PM

Travis,

Adding a slight amount of reverb and eq to the moving actor's vocal track (as he/she moves away from the screen) can add depth or distance from the main subject. Of course you'd panning and adjusting the volume the vocal track to the direction the actor moves (screen left/right). This can all add the depth you need. There are numerous ways to add the desired sound you're looking for, but this is one way to achieve it.

Todd

Travis Johnson · June 12th, 2007, 01:40 PM

Got ya, I didn't mention that my actor is off screen the entire time, all we see is the other tied up laying on the floor.

Colin Willsher · June 13th, 2007, 07:13 AM

I agree with Todd but just to clarify, for the distant sounds you want to experiment with gently rolling off some of the high frequencies, as these are more easily absorbed by the air/space between the two subjiects.

Putting the moving actor in a different 'space' with judicious use of reverb will help greatly too.

Your ears will be the judge in the end. ;o)

Sam Rosado · June 18th, 2007, 06:27 PM

Also,

Don't forget to use the PAN knob!

Marco Wagner · June 18th, 2007, 06:53 PM

Don't forget to get a "tone" track as well. You need like 30 seconds of silent sound from the room(s) you shot all that in. This will be your tone track and you can make a more full sound from that + everything mentioned above.

Travis Johnson · June 19th, 2007, 12:04 PM

Ok will do....thanks for the replies!

June 12th, 2007, 12:42 PM	#1
Travis Johnson Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Roxboro NC Posts: 166	Sound of someone in the distance? In the first scene of my short film there is a static shot of an actor laying on the ground tied up whilst the other actor is walking around in the background from room to room. I have recorded the dialogue on two seperate tracks. Each has the voice of both actor with the boom mic near them because I have only one mic. What can I do to make my actor walking around sounds like just that.

June 13th, 2007, 07:13 AM	#4
Colin Willsher Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Southampton, England, UK Posts: 70	I agree with Todd but just to clarify, for the distant sounds you want to experiment with gently rolling off some of the high frequencies, as these are more easily absorbed by the air/space between the two subjiects. Putting the moving actor in a different 'space' with judicious use of reverb will help greatly too. Your ears will be the judge in the end. ;o) __________________ 2b Media Services

June 18th, 2007, 06:27 PM	#5
Sam Rosado Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: bridgeport ct Posts: 161	Also, Don't forget to use the PAN knob! __________________ "Catering to all of your needs, from A to V."

June 18th, 2007, 06:53 PM	#6
Marco Wagner Trustee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Saint Cloud, Florida Posts: 1,043	Don't forget to get a "tone" track as well. You need like 30 seconds of silent sound from the room(s) you shot all that in. This will be your tone track and you can make a more full sound from that + everything mentioned above. __________________ www.facebook.com/projectspecto

June 12th, 2007, 01:03 PM	#2
Todd Giglio Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 265	Travis, Adding a slight amount of reverb and eq to the moving actor's vocal track (as he/she moves away from the screen) can add depth or distance from the main subject. Of course you'd panning and adjusting the volume the vocal track to the direction the actor moves (screen left/right). This can all add the depth you need. There are numerous ways to add the desired sound you're looking for, but this is one way to achieve it. Todd

June 12th, 2007, 01:40 PM	#3
Travis Johnson Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Roxboro NC Posts: 166	Got ya, I didn't mention that my actor is off screen the entire time, all we see is the other tied up laying on the floor.

June 19th, 2007, 12:04 PM	#7
Travis Johnson Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Roxboro NC Posts: 166	Ok will do....thanks for the replies!