Ah, post production sound. It’s usually not given much thought until the very end of your project. You neither have the time or the budget left to give it the attention it deserves. But now you realize how crucial it’s become, and you need to find the right team to help get it done properly. 

So how do you know who will be a good fit? Here we present the most important questions you should ask a post production sound team to make sure they are right for your project.

What is your experience with my type of project?

One of the most important qualities of a professional post sound team is how much experience they have with projects like yours. They should understand the technical requirements, the time it takes and related costs, and should be able to demonstrate their ability to creatively elevate your project. A seasoned sound team should also understand your vision, your audience, and your brand.

What’s your creative approach to my project?

Provide the sound team with as much information about your project as possible. Allow them to review your script or a recent cut of your film. They should be able to provide some specific scenarios as to what they can offer creatively to make your project stand out, as well as what technical issues need to be addressed.

Do you have work samples similar to my project?

It’s crucial that your sound team can demonstrate their past experience with sample projects similar to what you are looking to do. By viewing examples of previous work, you can assess if they will understand your material, what their creative approach is, and the overall quality of their sound design and mixing. 

Who is on your team?

You should be given a general idea of the people involved on the sound team, what they will be contributing to your project, and if they are working remotely or in house. The team may include a supervising sound editor who oversees the project, editors who work with sound effects, sound design, dialogue cleanup, Foley artists, ADR engineers, and re-recording mixers. In many cases, one person may assume a number of these roles.

What would you need from me?

Make sure it’s clear what the sound team would expect from you regarding source files, music score, notes, creative direction, scheduling, and deadlines. An experienced team should be able to provide you with a list of their requirements. If things sound a bit technical, don’t be afraid to ask and clarify details. It’s also important to mention who the key decision makers on your end, including the lead contact, picture editor, composer, and who’s involved with feedback and signing off on final deliverables.

What is your general turnaround time?

Your sound team should be able to lay out a basic timeline to complete your project. In most cases, this depends on your schedule and needs, since that can have a big impact on how things get done. The turnaround estimate includes time for project setup, editing sessions, recording sessions, mixing and review sessions, rounds of revisions, and any flexibility in dealing with schedule changes, especially if picture lock changes. It's important to be aware of all the steps involved.

Can you give me a quote?

After the sound team reviews a cut of your project, you should have a call to discuss your schedule and the overall creative direction. It's important to understand how your timeline and budget may impact how the work gets completed. In asking for a quote, the sound team will need time to consider all of these factors and get back to you in a few days. If you do have a specific budget, be open about it. This can help the team allocate the right time and resources to make your mix the best it can be for what you can afford.

What might impact the cost of the project?

Things that can impact the project cost include the turnaround time, number of revisions, project length, production sound quality (noisy vs clean), genre (action vs drama), and level of sound editorial (Foley, ADR, and SFX). You should have a detailed discussion with the sound team as to what can and can’t be done for the project given your budget and timing.

Do you have references?

Being able to see your sound team’s recent work is one indicator they can provide quality sound for your project. However, asking for a reference will give you a better idea of what it might be like actually working with the team. Are they honest about their turnaround times? Will they respond to your calls and emails and be there when you need them? Will they be receptive to last-minute changes? Professional relationships matter when spending time with your team, so getting a reference can influence your decision to move forward or not.

Do you have a sample contract?

Ask to see a general contract that outlines the terms and conditions of your project. Make a note of things like services included, timeline, cost and payment terms, list of deliverables, screen credits, and a cancellation clause. It’s also important to note who maintains ownership over any session recordings and associated files generated during the project. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or request modifications if something isn’t clear.

Your Final Decision

Finding the right sound team is all about building a trusting relationship. It’s important to choose someone you feel comfortable working with for an extended period of time. You may be spending many hours together on the phone or in person, and you want to know that the team has your best interests in mind. You never know, you may end up finding someone you can build a lifelong professional relationship with. Good luck!