If you've been on a set, even an indie project, you've probably had to suffer through an awkward few moments of silence when your production sound mixer asked everyone to hold for room tone.But if you've never been on set, you might not even know what this means or why a recordist needs it. And you definitely need it.Let's go over what this important filmmaking term is and how to record it like a pro.What Is Room Tone in Filmmaking?Every space has a sound, even when it seems to be completely silent. We don't usually exist in a void or big sound-proof bubble. There is traffic outside, or the buzz of your AC, or static from a radio somewhere, or the hum of an elevator somewhere else in the building. The ambient noise of "silence" is what filmmakers call room tone. You need it for several reasons, realism included.It might seem counterintuitive to record silence, but this recording becomes important during post. Each location has its own unique sound. Imagine you're in a big echoing gymnasium. Now transport yourself into a small closet filled with winter coats. They're going to sound different, even if you're just standing there by yourself. Each location is going to sound different based on where you're standing within it, too.Room tone or ambient sound is going to differ based on the microphone's position, too. This is why sound recordists typically capture fresh room tone for each new camera setup and location throughout a shoot.Who Captures...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - 6 days ago