DIY Sound Prep: Maximizing Production Audio for Tight Budgets (Alts & Metadata)

Posted by Ethan Savard in Post-Production 0 views · 2 replies

Hey everyone, I'm Ethan, a working sound editor facing a bit of a challenge. I'm helping out on an indie feature where the budget is beyond tight. We shot on an AMIRA with a couple of C70s for B-cam, running a MixPre-10 II for our main sound, and an Orbiter for lighting. Because of the cost constraints, we simply can't afford a dedicated sound editor in post. It's falling to me, along with my other responsibilities, to prep the production audio as best I can for the final mix, which is being handled by a friend.

My main concern is making sure all the fantastic alternate takes (Alts) are clearly organized, and that all the crucial metadata is embedded properly, so the mixer isn't wading through a mess. I’ve been trying to keep detailed notes daily, but transferring that cleanly seems like a hurdle. What are your best practices for handling Alts and metadata effectively when you're essentially wearing all the hats in post-production? How can I ensure a smooth delivery without professional sound editorial help?

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