One aspect of video post-production that should not be overlooked is sound design. In many cases, a well-shot scene of a host delivering your client’s message to the viewer will be all you need. The client will be well represented, the host will have effectively communicated with the audience, and the viewer will be satisfied with the visuals being presented to them. To stop there, however, would forgo an opportunity to enhance the shot, and create a richer experience for the viewer.

The following clips are a basic example of the sound design process. First, you’ll hear the actual audio recorded on location. In this case, it is a clean track of the host’s voice as he speaks on camera; easily the most important aspect, especially if we want to avoid adding to the budget with an ADR (automatic dialogue replacement) session.

Emphasizing the feel of a neighborhood is key to supporting the goal of the video (in this case, reinforcing a senior homeowner’s desire to stay in his home by using a reverse mortgage). So I then added in bird sounds to support the feeling of a warm summer day, and provide more life and depth to the scene.

Next, I dug into the sound effects library for a passing car, and matched that effect with the action in the scene.

Finally, I added the music track and created the final mix:

These are simple steps to bring the viewer into the environment. It allows them to experience the message, instead of just viewing it, creating a greater impact.

— Craig Henderberg