Supervising Sound Editor

Supervising Sound editors are the heads of their department and responsible for the well being of all post production sound. They are the main communication line between the director and the films soundtrack. They must have great overall knowledge in dialogue recording, ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement, Foley (post-synchronised sound effects), and sound effects or music editing.

They should be able to invasion the films sounds requirements creatively whilst hitting ticking every box in the directors criteria

This is involves managing and working on sounds. The majority of Supervising Sound Editors also work as Sound Designers on the same film, so as said before you may be employed by Audio Post Production Facilities Houses, or work on a freelance hiring rooms and bringing your own equipment. Supervising Sound Editors work long hours under considerable pressure.

Job Role?

Supervising sound editor’s role varies depending on the budget and scale of the film. On low to medium budgets/scale films they start work when the director and producer have achieved picture lock (final approval of a scene), and work more hands on with the sound effects, ADR and sound effects. Though on big budget/scale film they will start work before the shooting begins and handpick supervisors to handle separate sound teams on set. e.g., amount of CGI (Computer Generated Images), different recording formats, additional recording/gathering, mixed frame rates, etc.

(http://www.creativeskillset.org/film/jobs/post_production_sound/article_4765_1.asp)

Manager duties can include sound budget control, organising work flows and shifts according to delivery schedules and making plans for any given circumstances or requirements. You will attend meetings after screen locks to discuss the sound effects and Foley you have to see if they fit with the aesthetics and see what sound you may still need  any that may be needed.

We may be required to oversee the recording of the Foley, the productions of the sound effects, the recording of voice actors, and the composition of music.

Further edits may have to be made after the audience previews, which is where after much feedback the film is re-cut for the pre mix. After the pre-mix has been done more editing can be expected for the Final-Mix, this can take between 6-12 weeks depending on how big the film is. Even after this you may have to stick around to oversee the process of different languages being added for world releases.

Typical career routes

Supervising sound editors have to work long hours, with heavy works loads, under a tight schedule. They must over see and manage all sound over the whole production, relay back to the director producers and others. Work on sound projects themselves. This requires extensive years of experience and they probably started from a sounds assistant or from working in sound studio’s as trainee’s

Essential knowledge and skills

They must have extensive knowledge of all sound e.g. Foley, dialogue, sound effects and all equipments require to record in all stages of there production.

Key Skills include:

• Ability to manage and motivate a team
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent aural skills
• A methodical, organised approach to work
• Ability to work under pressure to tight, changing deadlines
• Precise attention to detail whilst also seeing the broader picture
• Organisational and financial skills
• Knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures

Training and qualifications

Supervising Sound Editors are usually graduates of Arts, Music, Electronics, Maths, or Sound Technology courses, who have also specialised in Sound at post-graduate level. Sound is one of the best served areas for film and television training in the UK with provision ranging from specialised short courses, to qualifications at HND, BA and post graduate levels.

Individual course accreditation in certain subject areas is currently being piloted. As part of Creative Skillset’s and the UK Film Council’s Film Skills Strategy, A Bigger Future, a network of Screen Academies and a Film Business Academy have been approved as centres of excellence in education and training for film. For more information, please log onto the Creative Skillset website.

Income

 Simply hired states the average pay is $57,000(http://www.simplyhired.com/a/salary/search/q-Sound+Design+%2F+Supervising+Sound+Editor)

Though The Career Development Center states the pay can range from per yeah $80,000 - $140,000+(http://www.berklee.edu/pdf/parents/music-industry-salaries.pdf)

(http://www.creativeskillset.org/film/jobs/post_production_sound/article_4765_1.asp)