Dialogue Editing

256 ADR
ADR call list)—a list of all ADR lines in fi lm order. Each line carries a
unique ID number, which may include the character name. Count the
lines each actor needs to record and inform the production company.
Based on an average pace of about ten lines per session hour, the
production secretary will use this information to schedule the talent.
The call list, the Bible of ADR calls, is what you’ll use to create
printouts of each actor’s lines—simplifi ed, easy-to-read scripts the
actors will use during the recording session. Also from the master
ADR cue sheet you’ll make the ADR recording logs, which you’ll use
during the recording session to keep track of what’s going on.
During the session. The code names and numbers you assigned to each
line will become the names of the corresponding soundfi les created in
the recording session. During the session, use the ADR recording logs
(or “session reports”) to take notes about each line and each take. Note
which takes are acceptable and which take is the preferred “buy” (or
“print” or “go” or even “hero”).
Back in the editing room. Use the ADR recording logs to fi gure out what
to do with each line. This way you won’t need to listen to all of a cue’s
takes unless the ones you selected don’t pan out. Place a check mark
on each ADR recording log as you successfully edit the line into your
fi lm so you know what has—and hasn’t—been edited.
The ADR Cue Sheet
The ADR cue sheet (ADR call sheet) is the master document, containing all
of the ADR lines in the fi lm in chronological (fi lm) order. (See Figure 15-1.)
As with all fi lm industry forms, the details of the paperwork vary by region
and fi lm culture. If at all possible, adapt your paperwork to the style of your
local fi lm industry so that people are comfortable with the forms and you
don’t come across as a hick or a pedantic jerk.
Because absolutely every phase of the ADR process can be automated by
computer, in this day and age it’s pretty silly to type, and retype, all iterations
of the ADR sheets. You can do most management using Excel. I prefer File-
Maker Pro, 2 but there are also plenty of good comprehensive ADR management
programs available.
The ADR Cue Sheet in Detail As you can see in Figure 15-1, the information
at the top of the cue sheet is pretty obvious. One item, though, will hunt you
2 FileMaker Pro is a trademark of FileMaker, Inc.