WHAT DOES A SOUND EFFECTS EDITOR DO? (In the Entertainment industry. What does a Sound Effects Editor Do?)

Sound Effects Editing / Photo Credit: Ambient Mixer Blog

WHAT DOES A SOUND EFFECTS EDITOR DO? (In the Entertainment industry. What does a Sound Effects Editor Do?)                     

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What does Sound Effects Editor do? 

Sound effects editors work with sounds and events happening on or off screen. Sound effects (commonly abbreviated as FX) refer to the sounds, other than dialog, that objects or people make, coupled with the sounds that occur naturally in the background. What these sounds may or may not sound like in real life is not always in question. In fact, some sounds that are injected into film may not even sound like the real thing. How do we know what bee sounds like when pollinating? Sometimes it does not matter provided the sound effect works within the creative framework of the movie. Without the noises and sounds that accompany all physical action in real life, a movie or television show lacks the reality that our brains expect and need in order to fully become immersed in the viewing experience. The sound effects editor works under the direction of the supervising sound editor and is responsible for manufacturing, recording, and editing all sound effects tracks included in a film or TV show.

Duties

Immediately upon being hired, the sound effects editor begins work on the script breakdown: making detailed notes identifying all sounds specifically mentioned in the script or implied by the action. Sound effects fall under four basic categories: hard sounds, background, Foley, and design. Most hard sounds and background can be sourced from sound effects libraries, which exist as digital files or on CDs and are carefully cataloged with precise descriptions. All production companies and motion picture studios have their own unique libraries, and a veteran SFX editor will have his or her own collection of recorded material. These sound effects are used to replace “dirty” (that is, unusable) sound recorded during principal photography, or to include as supplemental noises that enhance the environment but do not correspond to specific action visible on screen (for instance, wind and insect noise added to an exterior shot). Where Foley sound must be created, the sound effects editor will collaborate with the Foley artist to recreate natural sounds on a Foley stage, which is then synchronized with the visual action in the picture.

Designed sound is any unnatural audio that cannot be captured from real life. To represent the sound a spacecraft might make while hovering above the ground or a giant fairy-tale beanstalk bursting from the earth, the SFX editor will manipulate other recorded sounds or synthesize new audio tracks with the use of digital audio software. During the process of editing sound effects tracks, the sound effects editor meets with the director and sound designer to showcase work completed thus far and receive notes on elements to alter or replace. When all tracks are complete, the sound effects editor is responsible for delivering SFX cue sheets and tracks to the post-production sound mixer. He or she will be present in final reviews of post-production sound with the final picture edit, at which point further changes may be made until the director and producer are happy with the result.

Skills & Education

A college degree in film and television production with an emphasis on sound recording and post-production editing is encouraged. Coursework should include dubbing, automatic dialogue replacement, music editing, sound effects editing, and Foley recording. Additional training on both analog and digital recording consoles, as well as software applications like Pro Tools, is necessary. Every sound effects editor should own a synthesizer and become familiar with the tools and techniques common to the trade. This career requires a technically savvy individual with a keen ear for sound and the creative capacity to deliver audio that emphasizes and complements the moving images on screen.

What to Expect

Editors may work in post-production with foley artists, who will dub in sounds. Briefly, the foley process consists of recording the sounds of an artist while he mimics the actions of an actor on the screen. A short section of the film is projected over and over again for the Foley artist. The artist watches the movements of the actor or objects carefully, and mimics both the action and rhythm using a variety of props, and these actions are recorded in sync with the picture. However, editors most often build sound effects tracks from scratch. They focus on selected sounds to create tension, atmosphere and emotion. They also impart personality to film characters. For instance, a figure that is associated with a particular sound, such as squeaky shoes, has a real presence that is pervasive even when the scene is about something else or the character is off-screen.

A sound effects editor may work as a freelance technician or as a permanent employee of a post-production sound studio. Those interested in pursuing this career should seek apprentice or entry-level positions within the sound department of an independent or low-budget project in order to gain experience and build a résumé. Specifically, try to concentrate your efforts on finding work within a post sound studio where you can work full-time or part-time under the mentorship of an established veteran. Participation on student films while in college is an excellent way to hone your skills. Work as an assistant sound effects editor or intern can provide a path toward advancement.

Sources, References & Credits: Google, Wikipedia, Wikihow, WikiBooks, Pinterest, IMDB, Linked In, Indie Wire, Film Making Stuff, Hiive, Film Daily, New York Film Academy, The Balance, Careers Hub, The Numbers, Film Maker, TV Guide Magazine, Blurb, Media Match, Quora, Creative Skill Set, Chron, Investopedia, Variety, No Film School, WGA, BBC, Daily Variety, The Film Agency, Best Sample Resume, How Stuff Works, Career Trend, Producer's Code of Credits, Truity, Production Hub, Producers Guild of America, Film Connection, Variety, Wolf Crow, Get In Media, Production Beast, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros, UCAS, Frankenbite, Realty 101, Careers Hub, Sokanu, Raindance, Film Connection,

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Sound Effects Editing / Photo Credit: Ambient Mixer Blog