How come directors never give storyboards to the audio department?

Ryan Elder · September 15th, 2019, 11:24 AM

Oh okay, so audio people never read the scripts then?

Brian Drysdale · September 15th, 2019, 11:42 AM

They may or may not in advance (most usually do a speed read, if only to check if the film is going to be any good), but the mixer will check with the script as the scene is being shot to ensure no dialogue is being left out.

Ryan Elder · September 15th, 2019, 01:52 PM

Oh okay I thought they always did for that reason, to make sure no dialogue is being left, but also the boom op, which is what I usually do on other people's movies, reads the scripts, cause you want to know what line is going to be said by what actor of course.

Paul R Johnson · September 15th, 2019, 03:15 PM

Do you think boom ops learn the script like the actors? They do it at rehearsal. Practically the cannot hold a script and do manual booms. The only time you might see paper for bombing is when working Fischer booms where they can hav cue cards. When you have a single boom to cover a conversation you boom appropriately. If they move apart then you practice the moves needed. Keep in mid that actors only breadth scenes they're in. I'm certain many actors only pick up the script on their first morning.

Ryan Elder · September 15th, 2019, 03:18 PM

Oh well as a boom op, I would want the script to memorize the lines, but is that not how it's done?

Brian Drysdale · September 15th, 2019, 04:32 PM

Usually you only need key words to act as cues, you don't need to memorize all the lines.

Paul R Johnson · September 16th, 2019, 03:22 AM

I’ve never needed to memorise a script to do anything technical. It’s not in the job description! In fact, I am not sure I could even do it!

Brian Drysdale · September 16th, 2019, 03:46 AM

Also, you can get last minute script changes because they've done a rewrite during the night on the scenes you're about to shoot. So, it may not be practical for you to memorise the lines because you've got other things to do.

Josh Bass · September 16th, 2019, 03:52 AM

At the risk of muddying the waters, as one of you said, wouldn't a boom op have to know the lines, if there's only one? Let's say a 5 minute scene with three people, boom op has to jump between them, be in place before each line from each different actor starts....so then how does that work?

Ryan Elder · September 16th, 2019, 07:10 AM

Well in my experience it helps me to know the lines cause then I can boom from person to person. I haven't gotten scripts before the shoots with any changes, so we have to do more rehearsals as a result. But if I did get the scripts beforehand I figure there would be less rehearsal on my part then, cause I would know the lines better therefore.

Brian Drysdale · September 16th, 2019, 07:22 AM

Use whatever method works for you personally..

Allan Black · September 16th, 2019, 04:30 PM

Try to get/borrow/steal a script early on the shoot and separately write out enough of your own cues to get you to morning tea, or lunch, or dinner.

Work out simple codes to reduce that work, maybe use small rewritable slates and some coloured pens.

Cheers.

September 15th, 2019, 11:24 AM	#16
Ryan Elder also known as Ryan Wray Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Saskatoon, Canada Posts: 2,880	Re: How come directors never give storyboards to the audio department? Oh okay, so audio people never read the scripts then?

September 15th, 2019, 11:42 AM	#17
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,143	Re: How come directors never give storyboards to the audio department? They may or may not in advance (most usually do a speed read, if only to check if the film is going to be any good), but the mixer will check with the script as the scene is being shot to ensure no dialogue is being left out.

September 15th, 2019, 01:52 PM	#18
Ryan Elder also known as Ryan Wray Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Saskatoon, Canada Posts: 2,880	Re: How come directors never give storyboards to the audio department? Oh okay I thought they always did for that reason, to make sure no dialogue is being left, but also the boom op, which is what I usually do on other people's movies, reads the scripts, cause you want to know what line is going to be said by what actor of course.

September 15th, 2019, 03:15 PM	#19
Paul R Johnson Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lowestoft - UK Posts: 4,016	Re: How come directors never give storyboards to the audio department? Do you think boom ops learn the script like the actors? They do it at rehearsal. Practically the cannot hold a script and do manual booms. The only time you might see paper for bombing is when working Fischer booms where they can hav cue cards. When you have a single boom to cover a conversation you boom appropriately. If they move apart then you practice the moves needed. Keep in mid that actors only breadth scenes they're in. I'm certain many actors only pick up the script on their first morning.

September 15th, 2019, 03:18 PM	#20
Ryan Elder also known as Ryan Wray Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Saskatoon, Canada Posts: 2,880	Re: How come directors never give storyboards to the audio department? Oh well as a boom op, I would want the script to memorize the lines, but is that not how it's done?

September 15th, 2019, 04:32 PM	#21
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,143	Re: How come directors never give storyboards to the audio department? Usually you only need key words to act as cues, you don't need to memorize all the lines.

September 16th, 2019, 03:22 AM	#22
Paul R Johnson Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lowestoft - UK Posts: 4,016	Re: How come directors never give storyboards to the audio department? I’ve never needed to memorise a script to do anything technical. It’s not in the job description! In fact, I am not sure I could even do it!

September 16th, 2019, 03:46 AM	#23
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,143	Re: How come directors never give storyboards to the audio department? Also, you can get last minute script changes because they've done a rewrite during the night on the scenes you're about to shoot. So, it may not be practical for you to memorise the lines because you've got other things to do.

September 16th, 2019, 03:52 AM	#24
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	Re: How come directors never give storyboards to the audio department? At the risk of muddying the waters, as one of you said, wouldn't a boom op have to know the lines, if there's only one? Let's say a 5 minute scene with three people, boom op has to jump between them, be in place before each line from each different actor starts....so then how does that work? __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

September 16th, 2019, 07:10 AM	#25
Ryan Elder also known as Ryan Wray Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Saskatoon, Canada Posts: 2,880	Re: How come directors never give storyboards to the audio department? Well in my experience it helps me to know the lines cause then I can boom from person to person. I haven't gotten scripts before the shoots with any changes, so we have to do more rehearsals as a result. But if I did get the scripts beforehand I figure there would be less rehearsal on my part then, cause I would know the lines better therefore.

September 16th, 2019, 07:22 AM	#26
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,143	Re: How come directors never give storyboards to the audio department? Use whatever method works for you personally..

September 16th, 2019, 04:30 PM	#27
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,887	Re: How come directors never give storyboards to the audio department? Try to get/borrow/steal a script early on the shoot and separately write out enough of your own cues to get you to morning tea, or lunch, or dinner. Work out simple codes to reduce that work, maybe use small rewritable slates and some coloured pens. Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.