We are happy to introduce you to sound editor Alex Ellerington (Pride and Prejudice, King Arthur, The Duchess, The Children etc.) from the post production sound studio Boom Post in London. Alex worked on a brand new epic history series and he got his hands on a pre-version of our BOOM Library MEDIEVAL LIFE package within the framework of this project. Let’s see how he used the sounds in his daily post production workflow.
Audio post production implements all stages of production happening between the actual recording in a studio and the completion of a master recording and involves sound design, sound editing, audio mixing and the addition of sound effects. What was your main responsibility while working on the new history series?
I am sound supervising a new series for Sky and Amazon set in Celtic Britain. As it is a big job we have five editors and 2 mixers on it. I am responsible for sound fx editing and sound design, alongside assembling and preparing all the elements from my team (foley, dialogue, ADR, fx from other fx editors) and the music department. I do the last pass on the spot fx, foley, sound design and atmospheres before they go into premix stage. I am the editor present in the final mix, doing fixes on fx, dialogue and ADR, as well as music edits. I am the primary link between the post production supervisor and the mixing department.
How would you describe the influence of sample libraries on the audio post production in general?
Decent sample libraries are an essential part of post production sound effects editing. The larger your library the greater your vocabulary. We also record a lot of sounds ourselves to give each project a bespoke sound.
Could you imagine that sample libraries restrict your creativity or flexibility while editing sound effects? Or could prefabricated libraries be inspiring to you?
Generally prefabricated sound libraries are not that useful to me with some exceptions (see below).
What did your first contact with our library look like? What was important to you while testing the new product?
I was sent a link to download the files. I gave feedback that some of the atmospheric elements, such as horns, were difficult as I had to keep removing them from tracks.
In which cases were the BOOM Library medieval ambiences SFX the most useful? Could you exemplarily describe a scenario?
The fx tracklays for this show are extremely detailed and complex, meaning the timeline could get quite crowded. One thing the designed atmospheres in ‘Medieval Life’ were very useful was as a thickening track. When our producer wanted an environment to be busier it was very handy to have a single controllable track (with it’s own density and complexity) that we could put low under all the other atmospheres.
Would you go back to BOOM Library products?
Yes I would.
Thank you very much for the interview and taking the time Alex. It’s great that our work is being appreciated by a business expert. And for all other BOOM Library fans: Make sure to order MEDIEVAL LIFE until 16th of May to benefit from our special release discount!
