Sound Perspective

A closer sound perspective may sometimes be simulated by recording with a directional microphone which rejects sound from other directions. A more distant perspective may sometimes be simulated in post-production by processing the sound and mixing in other sounds.

In recording sound for film, you usually select a sound perspective to match the picture with which it will be used. Compare these examples:

Close perspective sound:   

Distant perspective sound:

In a dialogue scene, a constant sound perspective, despite picture cuts, helps maintain continuity:

Listen to the sound from this scene in The Grey Fox. The dialogue, and also the Foley sound effect, is in close perspective.

Recording dialogue and other important foreground sync sound with the microphone as close as possible produces clean sound. A sound editor can then add background or other sound on other tracks, but unwanted background on a sync track is difficult or impossible to remove.

Continue to Sound Balance.