Sound Recordist

An audience will forgive bad camera-work, but they won't forgive bad SOUND

Sound is vitally important to the film's success.

The Sound Recordist is the term we use when there is only one person recording sound for the shoot. If there are two or more people, then we would have the Sound Mixer (as HOD) and a Boom Operator.

A Sound Recordist will place the microphones. That may be through placing lavalier mics on the actors, operating the boom, and/or placing a recorder to capture ambient sound. They will operate the Digital Audio Recorder, and will monitor the sound on their headphones.

The recordist will have a knowledge of sound. They will understand microphone placement. They will have correct boom operating technique. (We show people how to do this).

The Sound Recordist is one of the few people who can call 'Cut', if the sound isn't working (such as a mic issue). It is better for us to restart the scene than to have poorly recorded audio.

In addition to recording dialogue, the Sound Recordist will also need to make sure that we record Ambience, or Room Tone. Every room and every space has its own sound, and we need to record 30-60 seconds of it for the Editor and Sound Editor; the Editor can use the ambience to plug any issues or gaps in the audio.

Whilst on set, the Sound Recordist will also need to record additional sound effects (foley) to help the Editor. Things like footsteps, props, and costume - all things that make sound.

The Sound Recordist will write their own Recording Notes, or will need to supply to the Script Supervisor.