#1003474 - 11/08/06 11:35 AM
Movie dialogue placement...
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axavm
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Registered: 08/16/02
Posts: 16
Loc: Tempe
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So, working on my first film project in 5.1 surround and was wondering, I have the dialogue going to center channel only, but there are a few times when we'd like to put 2 dialogue tracks (that have a bit of someone playing an instrument at the same time) panned maybe -35 to the left and same for the right. So in other words, we create a bit of a stereo spread. It could serve the film artistically, but of course it needs to technically translate as well. The question is, will this be off-putting to the audience if it's in a theatre? How about for DVD? Will there be any phase issues if it's encoded for Dolby LCRS? Or should we just keep everything center with dialogue?
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#1003475 - 11/09/06 12:54 PM
Re: Movie dialogue placement...
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Neil Wilkes
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Registered: 07/06/02
Posts: 514
Loc: London, UK
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There is absolutely no reason at all for not having 2 separate dialogue parts with panning to 35L/35R that I can think of, and in fact this is often done in small bursts for effect.
As far as Dolby LCRS (AKA Dolby Surround) then everything we do is a compromise as we are turning what was a 5.1 discrete mix into a matrixed Lt/Rt stream instead, and a little bit of panning on dialogue is going to be the least of your worries. Much more problematic will be the tendency of the entire soundfield to collapse altogether if you pan sounds in opposite directions (the steering cannot cope). Not to mention that LCRS will give you monophonic rears!
If you must create a matrixed stream (why, BTW?) then better to use DPL II as it is a lot easier to control (although there is still the collapsing soundfield issue) and has movement in the rears.
IMHO, you would be far better off - if the budget and time is available - to stick with discrete 5.1 to Dolby SR for theatre (or DTS - less hassle to create, cheaper by a long long way, but fewer theatres will carry it right now although this number is getting larger all the time) and Dolby Digital/DTS for the DVD with separate, dedicated stereo mixes.
This is the most common way to deliver, with the 5.1 and Lo/Ro stems separated out. This way, the 5.1 maintains it's integrity and stays as you mixed it, and the stereo is not a compromise - which with an Lt/Rt downmix it always will be.
Your theatre Audience will be fine with panned vocal dialogue as long as there is a visual reinforcement onscreen at the same time to give them a reason to accept the panned dialogue - such as a 16:9 widescreen, with both actors in shot having the conversation. As long as the visual cue is there, the sound will be accepted as natural, and will enhance the shot IMHO.
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