Apple Cinema Tools 3 - Manual (Page 30)

30 Chapter 1 Before You Begin Your Project
Audio clips captured as part of video clips do not retain their original timecode and
reel number, and the Final Cut Pro EDL cannot be used by an audio postproduction
facility. This is most common with clips created from scene-and-take transfers, where
the audio is synchronized to the film and recorded onto the videotape, losing the
original audio timecode. But because the telecine log from the transfer generally
contains timecode and reel number information for both the video and audio,
importing this log into the Cinema Tools database allows the database to track audio
usage, and you can export an audio EDL from Cinema Tools once you finish editing.
See “ Exporting an Audio EDL ” on page 161 for details on the process.
Synchronizing the Audio With the Video
The production sound for a film is recorded separately on an audio recorder; this is
known as the double (or dual) system method. Synchronizing the sound with the film
and video, ensuring good lip-sync, is a critical step in making a movie. How you
synchronize depends on the equipment used and when syncing is done. There are also
considerations related to your video standard, how the telecine transfer was done, and
the timecode used that directly impact the process.
There are three times when audio synchronization is important:
 during the telecine transfer
 during editing
 while creating the release print
Different strategies may be required to maintain sync at each of these times. Make sure
you have planned accordingly.
Synchronization Basics
Synchronizing the audio with the video image can be fairly easy as long as some care was
taken during the shoot. There are two aspects to synchronizing your audio: establishing
sync at a particular point in each clip, and playing the audio at the correct speed so that it
stays in sync.
While shooting, you must provide visible and audible cues to sync on. The most
common method is to use a clapper board (also called a slate or sticks) at the
beginning of each take. Even better, you can use a timecode slate that displays the
audio recorder’s timecode. To sync the audio with the video, position the video at the
first frame where the slate is closed, then locate the sound (or timecode) of the related
audio. Note that production requirements occasionally require the slate to occur at the
end of the take, generally with the slate held upside-down.
UP01101.Book Page 30 Thursday, March 10, 2005 3:16 PM