SOUND IN FILM AND TV - 2025/6

Module Overview

This module is intended to develop understanding and awareness of aspects of professional audio engineering as well as introducing practical film and TV sound techniques.

This module explores sound for film and high end TV, from recording production sound, through the post production process and to final delivery. It is intended as a detailed insight into high quality sound for film. Aspects of sound design, techniques of dialogue editing, meaning in music, and decoding the jargon within delivery schedules are discussed. This will help those interested in a career in film sound, or just to make the sound on your own films better. It will help in future careers understand the processes of film sound and enable you to interact with sound teams more effectively.

Module provider

Music & Media

Module Leader

HAIGH Alan (Music & Med)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• Detailed look at the audio equipment available in the department


• Sound recording on film location and ADR


• Foley recording


• Film post-production processes


• Tapeless delivery in TV – sound requirements


• Sound for picture mixing and deliverable requirements

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate an understanding of problems associated with dialogue, plus knowledge of the topics covered in the modules.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• Coursework – Three assignments - Dialogue Edit. Effects and Foley edit and Mix (addresses learning outcomes 2-7).


• Exam – (addresses learning outcomes 1-4).

Module aims

• Continue to develop understanding of professional audio systems
• Develop technical and operational abilities in professional audio systems
• Introduce the processes and tasks involved in the mixing of film and TV sound
• Introduce the processes and tasks involved in the recording and post production of sound for picture
• Give some practical experience in the recording and post production of sound for picture
• Introduce stereo microphone techniques

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to: develop knowledge and awareness of sound in TV.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Lectures.


• Workshops and seminars


• Guided reading

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: FVP2001

Other information

Digital capabilities: the module explores sound for film, which inherently uses digital technology throughout. Capturing the sound into the digital domain effectively, and then editing and delivering using digital formats As part of the coursework assignments, you will also develop skills in editing, routing and mixing in Avid Pro Tools, which is the industry standard editing system in this field.

Employability: the knowledge and skills developed within this module are the fundamentals of a successful career in the audio for screen industry. The lectures and workshops cover the entire process from recording on set, editing, music and final delivery schedules to professional standards. The coursework uses Avid Pro Tools which is the current industry standard software for this work. Visiting lecturers who are industry experts compliment the teaching.

Resourcefulness and Resilience: The coursework includes some difficult technical and artistic challenges, designed to increase resourcefulness in finding appropriate solutions.

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2025/6 academic year.