Dialogue Editing

4 WHAT IS DIALOGUE EDITING?
To serve as the arbiter of sync issues in the fi lm. Usually the other
departments follow your lead in deciding the fi lm’s sync.
To prepare the dialogue tracks for the dialogue premix (predub). Your
tracks not only must sound good but must be presented to the mix in
a logical and effi cient manner so that the mixer can spend precious
time telling a story with the dialogue tracks rather than merely sorting
out disasters.
To assist in the dialogue premix. You more than anyone know the
tracks, and you planned a particular interpretation of the scene while
cutting them, so you need to be involved at this stage. You also have
to be available to make fi xes or changes to the dialogue tracks during
the premix.
To separate production effects from the dialogue track in preparation
for the M&E mix.
Although it’s occasionally derided as boring or purely technical by the illinformed,
dialogue editing is the glue that holds the production sound
together. No other facet of sound editing requires such a wide array of
skills.
Appendix A is an overview of the process of dialogue editing in outline form.
At fi rst glance, it may seem overwhelming with its many steps. However, as
you learn more about the process of dialogue editing, you’ll see the outline
as more of a commonsense reminder than as an imposing mandate. Keep it
handy when you edit dialogue. Use the steps that are relevant to the project
you’re working on and skip the ones that don’t apply. Use the outline to help
you organize your project and keep on target.