|
desc
You are asked to:
- Choose a script from a group of provided scripts for a 30 second radio commercial
- Using your script choice, create a 30 second radio spot containing voice and original music
- Using client notes, cast and record the voice-over
- Edit the voice-over to length
- Using client instructions, create an appropriate sound track of original music and sound effects
- Mix the ad
- Upload the final product to soundcloud and share the link
s1
•From the link above, download and examine the radio scripts provided.
Notice the casting, music, and sound effects required for each spot.
•Select one of the scripts to produce.
•Using word processing software, make "sides" of your chosed script.
Sides are single page scripts with character names, stage direction, and other actor notes, without production or sound effects notes.
s2
It is strongly recommended you begn by making a production "bible" for your project.
•Using your script, begin creating a production plan.
•Begin creating a production document with detail about casting, production crew, studio location, scheduling of each step, cost, and production hours.
How you do this is up to you. Some folks like a standardized document in a word processor, web page, or spread sheet. Others may be more free form or different for each project. The important thing is to speculate on what will be required to do this work and to update as the project progresses.
Deadline pressure and eagerness to "get to work" may deter you from taking this necessary step. Fight that urge. Planning now saves time later.
s3
Theatrical folks will tell you that casting is half (or more) of the success of a project.
Since you will likely be casting from among you collegues or friends, it is still recommended that you...
•Based on your script choice, make a casting list and profile.
This doesn't have to be complex, but give each character a name, gender, age, and basic characteristics.
•Cast and schedule the voice talent.
Since this involves scheduling, you may want to have your recording team lined up and some ideas of recording time and availablbility set up in advance.
If you have multiple characters, decide if you need to have them in the studio at the same time. It is easier if you don't, but you may get a better performance if they work off each other.
Make sure to book enough time to get a good recording from your voice talent. It is surprising how long these things take, and it is hard to do well when rushed.
•In your session, record tracks of your voice talent.
You will want to record multiple takes. Don't erase takes. Mark takes that seem good in session.
Give the talent instruction, always positive, not too specific. Actor's don't like "line reading."
You will want to time things at this step, but you can edit for duration in a couple of different ways later.
It doesn't hurt to play music for the talent during recording if it helps mood.
After the recording, make sure to back up the session!
s4
You may have a fair amount of audio recorded. Bear in mind that this step does not have to be done in the SAMP lab.
•Audition the takes and make selections.
•Based on selections, make a "comp track" with the pieces that you've chosen.
If there are multiple characters, keep them on separate tracks.
This is the time to focus carefully on duration. Your spot must be precisely 30 second long including ring out.
s5
You may have decided you want to work on music first, that is OK.
You may also want to work from music models, playing some existing music against the edited voice to see what works (or to get approval from your client).
•Using General MIDI or a scoring template, sketch a music track that works for your spot.
This is subjective, of course.
Don't worry about instrument sounds too much at this point.
•Make careful use of meters and tempo to form fit to the voice track, to highlight key points in the spot, and to end preciseely at 30 seconds including ringout.
In your arrangement, work at not fighting the timbre of the voice.
•Once you have a worthy sketch, substitute better instruments and flesh out your music.
At this point, resist the urge to over-arrange.
•When done, if you plan to mix from stems, make a set of stems from your MIDI/instrument tracks.
If you plan to mix the music from MIDI, you may want to do a stereo mix, or rough mix, at this point to make things easier to work with going forward.
s6
If your script doesn't include sound effects, ignore this step.
Typically, if you are using SFX, you might place markers where they appear against the voice.
•Place sound effects where required in your spot.
You could record the effects yourself ("foley"), or find pre-recorded sounds online or elsewhere.
s7
Your approach to the mix may be unique; however make sure of some things--
•Apply compression to the voice track(s) to keep those levels very even throughout the spot. You can apply EQ to the voice to improve its quality or to reduce sibillance.
•As you mix the music, refer to the voice to track to make sure timbres aren't fighting. Adjust individual instruments accordingly.
•You make a stereo mix of the music and then set levels against voice, but keep in mind that turning down the overall track (esp. bass) may weaken the overall sound (cf. Fletcher Munson.
At some point, in any case, you should make a mix of the music only, in case of last minute changes in the voice-over, e.g. change in price.
•Use mastering tools (multi-band compression, limiting) to put the overall mix as close to digital 0 as you can.
Bear in mind that radio will apply compression to music in some cases, and also your spot will be played between other music or spots that are mixed very hot.
•When complete, create a full-format (WAV, AIFF) version of your spot. If you need it, also create a data-compressed (MP3) version, too.
s8
•When complete, upload your spot to soundcloud and post a link on the Student Work data page.
|