KinoFourpaws wrote:I'd like to add on to the list here concerning where you record... try not to record in an echo-y area. (Obviously no one's gonna do any of their recording in a cave, but... ) If you're not sure if the room you're in will produce an echo effect in your recording, just record a few average-length lines and then play them back and check for it. It shouldn't be too hard to notice it when you're listening to the playback.
Okay, I've edited that into my post so they're grouped together if people want to reference it. ALSO, and I was just reminded of this, but we need to decide on a specific sampling rate for people to record with. DVDs use 48,000 Hz, so we should probably go with that—unless we decide to oversample, but that probably won't be necessary. So, needless to say, our VAs should probably have something a little bit better than Sound Recorder. Only free program I can recommend off the top of my head is GoldWave, but I'm sure there are tons of others.
Also, Acid: Kirbopher and I (and I think Kaboom and Shinpan) have the FUNi re-release of the movie since you wanted to know what version of it we had to use. If you think that the VRG would provide the most consistent form of the movie to record with, though, I guess it makes sense that everyone would need it (it didn't before when it was mentioned that we just needed some form of the movie to record to).
Although I do think so, I also know that people are basically waiting on me to move forward, and since I can't predict how long it'll take to complete at this point, I think I would be comfortable letting disc owners record on their own, provided they all had the same disc (which it seems you do) and played it using the same method.
I'd like to ask about the clipping, though. It seems like a good idea, but how are you going to go about it? You mentioned separating them into clips based on which character(s) is in there. Are you also separating them into scenes to preserve the context in which the lines are said? Just wanting to know...
I'm going to go about it by creating specific chapter points exclusively for the VRG (based on the existing subtitle timecodes) at points where the target characters are speaking. I'll then feed them into an application that can split the VRG into smaller files based on those points. As for the scenes, I'd thought about that but hadn't reached a conclusion yet. I can leave enveloping lines in if that helps, but I also figure the directors can let the actors know the context ahead of time when coaching. I'll leave it to you guys to make the call though.
... Uh? @_@ Am I meant to understand that?
...And you wanted to be an editor! Haha...
Uh... well, Kino hit the nail on the head, but if you're lost on the technical terms, then I'd suggest reading some articles on video frame rates, DVDs, and/or pulldown methods, because that stuff's really beyond the scope of this project (and thread). Simply put, film runs at one speed, and TV runs at another (though the standards for these vary by region), and since you are displaying a
film source
on a TV, the difference in speed needs to be compensated for, so some frames are repeated. However, since we're using computers, which are versatile, the video can be played at either speed which is why it's necessary to make sure everyone's going by the right one.
(Hey, Acid, how were you imagining we'd record this, anyway? As separate audio files only, or coupled with the actual video?)
Separate audio files. If we include the video as well, we're not only looking at bigger files, but requiring the actors to do editing jobs, which isn't necessary.
Although, if they know
how, and that helps them make sure they've got the timing right, then by all means, go wild. Just so long as
only the audio files are being submitted. We want to cut down on size as much as possible without losing quality. And if they're too big—even without the video—for online hosting sites, I can open up the server to the VAs so they can upload directly.
All this tech stuff has kind of got me glad that I'm not doing acting on top of that... however, I'm still available if any VAs decide to bail. Shenlong doesn't really have a huge role as it is, so that's certainly manageable, but it might not even matter who does it seeing as we could always go recycled-Sabat style and put him or her through a vocal filter. You know, to sound all "god-like" and shit... it wouldn't sound like any other character, even if they were already doing one.
Unfortunately, WMA is the only final format I know how to save my recordings to. I dunno what else to say other than I'll avoid all distortion/whatnot sounds I can, not be too close to the mic, and do my best. With help from editing, I hope that's good enough in your guys' eyes.
It shouldn't be too hard AT ALL to save to WAV on a Windows machine. You can be taught. What program are you using currently?
Certainly a good idea to undertake.
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