For Heads of Production, Producers, and Directors, understanding the ins and outs of a spotting session is key to achieving the desired emotional and narrative impact in their projects.
What is a Spotting Session?
A spotting session involves distinct meetings for Sound, Music, and Visual Effects (VFX), each with its own specialised team. These collaborative meetings are where decisions are made about where and how these elements will be placed and utilised to achieve the desired effects in each scene. It’s the phase where the abstract concepts of sound, music, and visual effects begin to take concrete form within the film or TV show.
The Goals of Spotting Sessions
1. Narrative Enhancement: One of the primary goals is to enhance the narrative. The respective teams discuss how music, sound, and VFX can highlight specific emotions, accentuate plot points, and provide subtext. For instance, a suspenseful score might be used to build tension in a thriller, sound effects to emphasise critical moments, and visual effects to bring fantastical elements to life.
2. Emotional Resonance: Music, sound, and VFX are powerful tools for evoking emotions. Each session focuses on how to use these elements to evoke the desired emotional response from the audience. A melancholic piece of music, a subtle sound effect, or a breath taking visual effect can significantly impact the audience’s emotional experience.
3. Continuity and Flow: The sessions ensure that the audio and visual elements contribute to the overall continuity and flow of the project. Teams discuss how transitions between scenes can be smoothed with music or sound effects, and how visual effects can be seamlessly integrated to maintain a cohesive visual and auditory experience.
4. Character and Setting: Music, sound, and VFX help define characters and settings. Specific themes might be associated with particular characters, providing auditory and visual cues that help the audience connect on a deeper level. Unique soundscapes and visual effects establish different settings and enhance the world-building of the project.
5. Identifying Corrections: Spotting sessions also identify areas needing corrections. For example, if a piece of dialogue wasn’t recorded well on set, the Dialogue Editor will flag it during the sound spotting session. These issues will later be addressed in ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement) sessions with the actors.
6. Crowd and Foley Recordings: In terms of sound, there will be discussions around crowd recordings, exploring the director’s vision for these elements. The sessions will also cover Foley recordings, which involve creating everyday sound effects to enhance the realism of the scenes.
The Process of Spotting Sessions
Music Spotting Session
Team: Director, Producer, Composer, Music Supervisor, Editor
Focus: The Composer and Music Supervisor work with the Director, Producer, and Editor to determine where music should be placed, what kind of music is appropriate, and how it should support the narrative and emotional tone of each scene.
Sound Spotting Session
Team: Director, Producer, Sound Supervisor, Dialogue Editor, Sound Designer, Editor
Focus: This session focuses on the placement and type of sound effects, dialogue editing, and overall sound design. The Sound Supervisor and Dialogue Editor discuss with the Director, Producer, and Editor how sound can enhance the realism, mood, and impact of the scenes. They also identify any dialogue that needs to be re-recorded in ADR sessions and discuss crowd and Foley recordings.
VFX Spotting Session
Team: Director, Producer, VFX Supervisor, VFX Editor, Editor
Focus: The VFX Supervisor works with the Director, Producer, VFX Editor, and Editor to plan where visual effects will be implemented, discussing the specifics of each effect, how it will be integrated into the scenes, and its impact on the visual storytelling. The VFX Editor takes detailed notes during the session, which will be fed back to the VFX team for implementation.
Preparation: Before each session, preliminary discussions and preparations are made. The Director outlines the overall vision for the project’s sound, music, and visual effects. Editors prepare the scenes with temporary tracks and effects as placeholders.
Viewing and Discussion: During each session, the team watches the film or episode together. They pause to discuss specific moments where music, sound, or VFX will start and stop, evolve, and integrate within the scene. Each session involves collaborative discussions, ensuring the final decisions align with the overall vision of the project.
Decision Making: Detailed notes are taken regarding the type, tone, and placement of music, sound effects, and visual effects. These include specific instructions for the Composer, Sound Designer, Dialogue Editor, and VFX Supervisor, who will later create and integrate these elements into the project.
Why Spotting Sessions Matter
For Producers and Directors, spotting sessions are invaluable for ensuring that the film or TV show sounds and looks as good as it feels. They provide a structured environment for discussing and deciding on the auditory and visual elements that will support the storytelling. Well-conducted spotting sessions can make the difference between a good project and a great one, elevating the audience’s experience and enhancing the overall impact of the story.
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