“Zoom Boom” and the Rise of Remote ADR
One of the unexpected success stories of recent years has been the rise of remote ADR and voiceover sessions, mainly thanks to the widespread adoption of video conferencing platforms like Zoom. Fueled by the “work-from-home” phenomenon spurred by COVID-19, the entertainment industry has embraced this technology.
The impact on ADR has been particularly pronounced. Zoom’s cost-effectiveness and real-time two-way communication capabilities have transformed the workflow. Directors and sound supervisors can now listen, watch, and direct actors in real-time, even from remote locations like their cars.
Monitor with “Zoom” … Send with “We Transfer”
Balancing Speed and Quality: The Dual-Platform Approach
While the real-time functionality of platforms like Zoom is ideal for communication and monitoring, the compressed audio quality isn’t suitable for post-production. Therefore, a common protocol has emerged to address this challenge:
- Monitoring with Zoom: During the session, Zoom is used for monitoring the audio due to its faster transmission speeds and real-time capabilities. However, this audio is compressed and not suitable for the final mix.
- Sending Uncompressed Recordings: After the session, a separate, high-quality, uncompressed recording of the actors’ performances is sent via a platform like WeTransfer for use in post-production.
Platform Options Beyond Zoom
While Zoom is a popular choice, other online platforms with similar functionalities like Google Meet (which I haven’t personally tested) also hold promise.
Evolving File Sharing Landscape
WeTransfer and Dropbox are just a couple of the commonly used platforms for sending uncompressed audio files. It’s important to note that new file-sharing options are constantly emerging, so you’ll likely have even more choices available by the time you read this!
Keeping Your Remote ADR Recordings Smooth with Smart Delegation
The explosion of Zoom usage since COVID-19 has made it a staple in the industry. While clients often have a clear vision for their project, they may need assistance with the technical and operational aspects. We can help with the initial setup and testing to ensure a seamless session. But when it comes to “show time” operation, we prefer that the client handles this portion.
Why should client operate the Zoom?
Delegation of the Zoom operation is an important step because of the sensitivity of the task. Receiving calls, screening participants, and operating the platform require an individual’s full attention. So for that reason, a member of the producing team will likely be the better choice since they are familiar with the actors and project details, allowing for smoother communication and troubleshooting.
