The
dialogue editor assembles, synchronises, and
edits all the
dialogue in a
film or television production. Usually they will use the
production tracks, that is the sound that was recorded on
the set, and smooth it out in terms of volume and
equalisation. If any of the production tracks are unusable
they can be replaced by either alternate production tracks
recorded on set or by ADR, automated dialogue replacement,
which is recorded after the shoot with the actors watching
their performances in a sound studio and rerecording the
lines. Large productions may have an ADR editor working
under the dialogue editor, but the positions are often
combined. The ADR editor or dialogue editor also work with
the walla group in films which they are required, providing
the background chatter noise in scenes with large crowds,
such as parties or restaurants.
Once the dialogue editor
has completed the dialogue track, the re-recording mixer
then mixes it with the
music and
sound effects tracks to produce the final soundtrack.