Dialogue Editing

206 DAMAGE REPAIR
Table 12-1 Common Abbreviations for Shot Types
Code Meaning Explanation
FT Full take Complete take of scene from beginning to end, or the
complete text blocked for this shot.
FS False start Scene was stopped immediately after beginning because of
acting mistake or technical problem. Action can restart
within the same take after a false start.
INC Incomplete Scene was stopped midway because of a problem or because
the director needed only a portion of it.
PU Pickup Take doesn’t begin at the top of the scene but at a later point
because of midscene mistake or because the director wants
just one section of the shot.
WT Wild track Sound was recorded without picture because there was no
(wild practicable way to record sound or because the location
sound) mixer found sound problems.
MOS Picture Scene shot without sound. This could be a silent cutaway or
without an action shot. All slow-motion or speeded-up shots are
sound fi lmed MOS.
this point the most interesting are the sequence of shots and the presence of
any wild sound. Location recordists commonly use abbreviations to describe
takes. (See Table 12-1.)
How Many Takes Are Available? If your damaged take is 12C/4, you can
be reasonably sure that there are at least three other attempts at a good take.
Of course, takes 1, 2, and 3 could be false starts or simply no good, but they’ll
probably still give you a chance for replacement sound. There could easily be
takes later than 4, so check the sound reports before winding to the location
on the DAT just to see what you’re up against.
Cue the DAT to the Correct Take If your sounds were recorded on a DAT,
you’ll most likely have a start ID at the beginning of each take. Most useful.
To fi nd your initial cue, fast-wind the tape to the approximate source timecode
of your damaged take. Once safely within the original take, press “Backwards
Index” on the DAT player to fi nd where it begins. Listen to the voice slate to
confi rm that you’re within the correct take. If your damaged take is take 4,
press Backwards Index four times (you’re already in take 4, so you have to
subtract for that take, too). You’ll be cued to the beginning of take 1. Use the
sound report as your map through the sound roll and use the index function
to navigate to the available takes.
Find Applicable Takes and Record Them Cue to the applicable sections of
each alternate take and copy into the workstation. Check each one.