Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2024

Course Code: COMM7390C

Course Title: Edit sound

School: 515T Creative Industries

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5412 - Diploma of Screen and Media (Content Creation)

Course Contact: Andrew Harrison

Course Contact Phone: +61399254350

Course Contact Email: andrew.harrison@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Mark Johnson

Email: mark.johnson3@rmit.edu.au

Teacher: Lachlan Campbell

Email: lachlan.campbell@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 65

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

In this course you will develop the skills and knowledge required to edit sound material in line with production requirements in music, screen, media, entertainment and events industries. This involves assessing the quality of source materials, preparing source materials for sound editing, using sound editing software and equipment to make edits and rectify issues with source sounds, and applying effects to enhance the final product.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUASOU417 Edit sound

Element:

1. Prepare for sound editing

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Discuss desired technical and creative outcomes of production, production procedures and timeframe with required personnel 1.2 Confirm necessary copyright releases have been obtained 1.3 Confirm sound editing software and equipment is safe, operational and suitable for editing sound according to production requirements 1.4 Prepare plan to complete sound editing work in line with production requirements and required timeframe 1.5 Obtain copies of sound sources and assess their quality against production requirements 1.6 Advise required personnel if sound sources do not meet production requirements and resolve issues within scope of own role as required

Element:

2. Edit complex sound sequences

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Determine extent and range of required edits by listening critically to sound sources 2.2 Edit sound sources and resolve identified problems according to desired technical and creative production outcomes using sound editing software and equipment 2.3 Use sound effects or signal processing to enhance the purpose, genre, and technical and creative outcomes of production 2.4 Incorporate sound effects and elements to meet creative and production requirements

Element:

3. Finalise editing operations

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Share final sound mix with required personnel and adjust as required 3.2 Save final files in required format according to production requirements 3.3 Conduct quality check of final sound mix according to production requirements and organisational procedures 3.4 Archive edited files and complete documentation as required according to organisational procedures 3.5 Confirm work environment is cleaned after use and restored to pre-editing condition 3.6 Organise sound effect library that can be used for future productions in collaboration with required personnel 3.7 Provide feedback to production team members on sound editing process as required and seek feedback on own performance 3.8 Evaluate own performance and note areas for improvement

Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements. 


Details of Learning Activities

In this program, structured learning occurs in the classroom and through completion of assessment. However, as an independent learner you will also be engaged in unstructured activities such as private study and practice of technical skills required in using cameras, lighting and sound equipment and editing tools . You are also expected to  familiarise yourself with different aspects of the screen and media industry. This includes spending time engaged in attending films and film festivals, watching streamed content, attending industry events and exhibitions and building relationships with industry bodies such as the Screen Producers Association and the Australian Society of Cinematographers.

In-class learning activities include, but are not limited to:

  • demonstrations and practical application
  • peer teaching and class presentations
  • group discussions
  • screenings
  • online research
  • independent project based work
  • teacher directed group activities/projects
  • Industry examples and case studies

Out-of class activities include, but are not limited to:

  • reading set texts
  • research
  • screenings
  • production work
  • independent project based work 


Teaching Schedule

Please note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability resources.

Week

Class content

Assessment

1

What is sound? 

The physics of sound. 

The 6 properties of sound. 

Hearing - sensitivity to sound. 

Measuring sound.

 

Review Assessment Tasks.

 

 

2

Sound Formats.

Wavelength, amplitude and frequency.

Analogue vs Digital. 

Sample Rate and Bit Depth explained.

 



 

 

3

Recording techniques. 

Field recording. 

Using recording apps and how to achieve best results. 

Naming sounds. 

Creating a sound library. 

Categorizing sound for film.

In class exercises - record edit and upload your local ambient sound

 

Assessment Task 1- Due week 5

4

Introduction to Adobe Audition. 

The interface. 

Changing the session settings. 

 

 

 

5

Assessment 1: Knowledge Questions Due

Microphones - types of microphones and their purpose. 

Practical demonstration

 

Assessment 1: Knowledge Questions – Due

6

Sounds. 

Foley sounds. 

Recording Foley. 

In class exercise - submit Foley sounds to sound library

 

Introduction to Assessment Tasks 2 and 3

 

7

Creating a sound design plan

Building the resource

Planning sounds for Short Film

 

 

8

Using loops in developing sound design.  Introduction to Loopslab (in place of Garageband)

In class exercise

 

 

9

Assessment 2: Edit Sound for Short Film

Assessment 3: Edit Sound for Behind the Scenes Production

Drama Production - recording audio for Assessments 2 and 3. Please refer to your Production Schedule.

 

Continue working on Loopslab. 

Develop 2 musical mood pieces for use in Short Film

In class exercise

 

Assessment 2: Edit Sound for Short Film

Assessment 3: Edit Sound for Behind the Scenes Production

 

Drama Production Shoots

 

10

Assessment 2: Edit Sound for Short Film

Assessment 3: Edit Sound for Behind the Scenes Production

Drama Production - recording audio for Assessments 2 and 3. Please refer to your Production Schedule.

 

Using Dynamic Link  - working between Audition and Premiere  - sound design workflow.

 

Assessment 2: Edit Sound for Short Film

Assessment 3: Edit Sound for Behind the Scenes Production

 

Drama Production Shoots

 

11

Assessment 2: Edit Sound for Short Film

Assessment 3: Edit Sound for Behind the Scenes Production

Drama Production - recording audio for Assessments 2 and 3. Please refer to your Production Schedule.

 

Cleaning up audio in Adobe Audition. 

Noise reduction techniques. 

Compression, limiting - optimal level adjustment

In class demonstration

 

Assessment 2: Edit Sound for Short Film

Assessment 3: Edit Sound for Behind the Scenes Production

 

Drama Production Shoots

 

 

12

Assessment 2: Edit Sound for Short Film

Assessment 3: Edit Sound for Behind the Scenes Production

Continue working on webisode and behind the scenes sound edits. Respond to tutor’s feedback

Audio effects.

Spatiality - reverb. 

Equalization. 

Simulating natural spaces. 

 

Assessment 3: Edit Sound for Behind the Scenes Production – Due next week

 

13

Assessment 2: Edit Sound for Short Film

Assessment 3: Edit Sound for Behind the Scenes Production Due

Finalise and submit sound edit - behind the scenes.

 

Continue working on Short Film sound edit. Respond to tutor’s feedback

Loudness. 

Using loudness meters to standardize output levels. 

Revisit suggested track levels for principal narration, SFX, walla, music etc. 

 

Assessment 3: Edit Sound for Behind the Scenes Production – Due

 

14

Assessment 2: Edit Sound for Short Film

Continue working on Short Film sound edit. Respond to tutor’s feedback

Work on sound design - prepare preliminary mix for evaluation

 

Assessment 2: Edit Sound for Short Film – Due next week

 

15

Assessment 2: Edit Sound for Short Film Due

Finalise and submit sound edit - Short Film

Assessment 2: Edit Sound for Short Film – Due

 

16

Review of student work - Assessment 2: Edit Sound for Short Film and Assessment 3: Edit Sound for Behind the Scenes Production

 

 

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

None


References

You are advised to look on Canvas for ongoing updated information.


Other Resources

Other resources for this course are available on Canvas.

The University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through Study Support:
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/learning-lab

 


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral/written presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights. Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on CANVAS.


Assessment Tasks

Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace. To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task.

You should refer to the assessment brief which is available through Canvas for full assessment criteria.

Assessment 1  - Unit Knowledge Questions - This assessment is a short-answer knowledge task designed to assess the knowledge required to determine and respond successfully to sound editing in a professional practice. Date Due: week 5

Assessment 2 - Edit Sound for a Short Film - For this task, students will edit the sound for a short film which you have produced throughout the semester. Date Due: week 15

Assessment 3 - Edit Sound for Behind the Scenes Production - For this task, students will edit the sound for the behind the scenes production that you planned and filmed for another student director. Due Date: week 13

Assessment Tasks 1, 2 and 3 are to be finalised by no later than end of semester 2 Week 16. 

Results that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are:

CA: Competency Achieved
NYC: Not Yet Competent
DNS: Did not Submit for Assessment


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. These are available through the course contact in Program administration.

Other Information

Attendance:

Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises

It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.

 

Information about your studies:

You can access Student Essentials through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students

 

Assessment:

Information on assessment including Special consideration, Adjustments to assessment, (eg. applying for an extension of time):

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment

 

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:

RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity

 

Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning:

Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.

Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit

Course Overview: Access Course Overview