Thinking through the following questions can help frame your script.

• Who is your intended audience?  What is your objective with this video?
• What is the current tone of the excerpt you are working with?  How will your new script engage with that tone?  Will it heighten or undermine it?  
• What will be the tone for each character?  Will it sync with their onscreen gestures?  Will you add additional sound effects or remove any sound to help build your scene
• Is there a theme or subtext in the scene/film that you wish to engage with?
  

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Format

The template below can help you keep track of timing, character, source and new dialog but can be customized to fit your needs.  Adding a column for images, tone or pacing notes could also be helpful.  

You may want to add additional fields such as duration, syllable count, or on/off screen.

Timing

In order to fit your new dialog into the video without having to edit it, you will need your new voice over to be the same duration as the line you are replacing.  This likely means you will need to tweak your lines or play with the speed the line is delivered.  If you are interested in syncing your new dialog with the original lip movement, you will need to pay close attention to the shape your mouth makes when speaking Italian, similar to the graphic below, to then replace with dialog that starts with a similar shape, focusing on the most pronounced shapes.

https://www.pngkey.com/maxpic/u2q8o0q8u2i1e6t4/

Giving and receiving feedback is a valuable way to practice listening and speaking critically in order to nurture a community of growth.  Below are a few tips for going into a critique.

Giving feedback

• Make sure you are clear on the intentions of the maker.  It's not helpful to simply give feedback that is only about the decisions you would have made.  If you aren't sure what the makers intentions are, ask!

• Be specific! When giving feedback, back up your comments with examples from the work.  

Receiving feedback:

• Know what you like about your piece ahead of time

• Don't preface your work with too much unnecessary context.  

• Articulate what you already know isn't working for you after others have given their feedback

• Be open

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Media management encompasses the organization of media assets from research and writing through sharing and archiving.  Below are some best practices for keeping track of files as you work on your project.

• Organizing your files will help make the editing process smoother

• All media imported into Garage Band will be saved within the project itself.    

• It is good practice to have your media backed up in two separate locations, if possible

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Organizing Your Media

Staying organized is essential as you collect and create various assets for your project.  Below is an example of how you can stay organized during this process.

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Backing-up Your Media

It’s important to always back-up your media and project files in case your computer crashes or hard drive malfunction. All machines in the DDS are wiped weekly.  Save all project files and media assets onto an external drive.

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Before Recording

DDS can help support a variety of approaches to this assignment, but the method we recommend for both ease of use and audio quality is detailed below.  To book the DDS Recording Room, click here.  

You may find that for scenes that take place outdoors or very specific environments your recording doesn't feel like it's embedded in the scene when recording in a Studio.  Using a field recorder to record in other environments may help create a distinctive quality/texture that's more resonant with your scene or intentions.   For help with this, please contact Kim Forero in the DDS.  

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Creating a New Project

• Open Garage Band and choose Empty Project. 
• Make sure the Input Device is set to Scarlett 2i2 USB and the Output Device is set to Built-in Output
• Select Choose
• The next window assigns the microphone to a specific track.  Choose the Microphone under Audio and under Input select Input 1.  
• Select Create.
• To add an additional track for the second microphone, navigate to Track>New Track and change the Input to Input 2.

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Importing a Movie

• With the Track Window selected navigate to File>Movie>Open Movie
• Select the clip and click Open
• A new window will appear with your video clip as well as a new audio track with the original audio
• Rename each track to stay organized by double-clicking the original name

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Recording

• Mute the original track.
• Select the record button.  Record your audio into the mic.

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Audio Recording Tips

• Set the microphone at least inches away from the narrator
• Stay in one position for the whole recording
• Use the pop filter
• Don’t wear jewelry or swooshy clothing 
• Record a demo to make sure it sounds right
• Record several versions, try different tones and inflections
• Record 20 seconds of silence before and after your recording session
• Try recording one characters lines at a time onto separate tracks.  This will allow you to adjust the volume of each character separately. 
• Record each line multiple times and use the editing tools to place the line where it belongs.

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New Tracks, Adding & Duplicating Files

• Create a new track: Track > New Track or Opt+Command+N
• Add new files: Simply drag and drop your files from the Finder into the Workspace
• Duplicate files already on your timeline: Hold Option while dragging the clip to a new location in the Workspace

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Looping

• Loop a portion of the timeline: Drag in the upper part of the Workspace.  This will enable the Cycle button in the Transport Window
• Deselect: Unclick the Cycle button in the Transport Window

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Splitting a Clip

• Split a clip: Select the clip in the timeline, place the timeline indicator where you want your edit.  Select Edit>Split Regions at Playhead or Command+T

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Adjusting Volume & Transitions

• Enable Automation: Select Mix>Show Automation or A on your keyboard
• Double-click the track to place the Volume overlay on the track
• Click the yellow Volume line to create a key frame
• Create two points to make a transition. Moving the line down lowers the Volume while raising it increases the Volume.  
• Disable Automation by hitting A on your keyboard.
• To reset: Select Mix>Delete All Automation on Selected Track

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Audio Editing Tips

• Use room tone to fill gaps in your recording
• Remove all clicks, pops and distracting audio
• Set Volume just on the edge between green and yellow.

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Sound Design

• Thinking of the piece as a whole and finding ways to draw out the themes through how sounds feel and add meaning
• Created by layering sounds

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Uploading to Canvas

• Navigate to File > Movie > Export File to Movie
• Set the Preset to Full Quality (if you receive file size errors when uploading to Canvas, change this setting to HD 1080p)
• Save your file to your computer or external drive 
• Select Save
• To upload your file to the Media Gallery of the course on Canvas.
• To publish your video from My Media to the course Media Gallery.

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