Communication Studies and Language Communication Studies

Sound Operation For Film Television And Video Production Training

SAQA US 117530 | NQF 4 | Credits 7 | Duration 4 Days
From $1,107 per delegate

Description

This course equips learners with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge required to operate sound equipment effectively in film, television, and video production environments. Participants will gain hands-on experience in capturing, mixing, and monitoring audio to industry standards, ensuring high-quality soundtracks for various media formats.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply fundamental principles of acoustics and sound physics to optimize audio capture in diverse production settings.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in setting up, calibrating, and operating microphones, mixers, and recording devices.
  • Analyze audio signals using waveform monitors and meters to ensure proper levels and avoid distortion.
  • Implement location sound recording techniques, including boom operation and wireless microphone management.
  • Evaluate and troubleshoot common audio issues such as noise, feedback, and phase cancellation during production.
  • Design basic audio post-production workflows for dialogue, sound effects, and ambient sound integration.

Target Audience

This course is designed for aspiring sound technicians, production assistants, and media professionals seeking to specialize in audio production for film, television, and video. It is also suitable for individuals transitioning into the broadcast and entertainment industries.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment

Course Outline

Day 1: Fundamentals of Sound and Audio Equipment

Objectives:
• Understand the physics of sound and key acoustic principles.
• Identify and describe the function of core audio equipment.
• Demonstrate correct microphone selection and placement techniques.
• Apply basic audio signal flow and gain staging.

Topics:
• Physics of sound: frequency, amplitude, phase, and wavelength.
• Acoustic principles: reflection, absorption, diffusion, and room modes.
• Overview of audio equipment: microphones, cables, connectors, mixers, recorders.
• Microphone types: dynamic, condenser, ribbon; polar patterns (cardioid, omnidirectional, figure-8).
• Microphone placement techniques for dialogue, ambience, and effects.
• Signal flow: from source to recorder; balanced vs. unbalanced connections.
• Gain staging: setting input levels, avoiding distortion and noise.
• Practical exercise: setting up a basic audio chain and recording test tones.

Day 2: Location Sound Recording and Mixing Techniques

Objectives:
• Plan and execute location sound recording for film and TV.
• Manage on-set audio challenges such as background noise and multiple sources.
• Operate portable mixers and field recorders proficiently.
• Capture clean dialogue and ambient sound using boom and wireless systems.

Topics:
• Location sound kit: field mixer, recorder, boom pole, wind protection, wireless systems.
• Boom operation: technique, handling, and avoiding shadows.
• Wireless microphones: frequency coordination, transmitter placement, antenna considerations.
• Mixing on location: balancing multiple sources, monitoring, and metadata.
• Dealing with common issues: handling noise, AC hum, traffic, and weather.
• Recording wild tracks, room tone, and sound effects on location.
• Practical exercise: recording a dialogue scene with boom and lavaliers.
• Troubleshooting: identifying and resolving audio problems on set.

Day 3: Post-Production Sound Editing and Mixing

Objectives:
• Import and organise audio files in a digital audio workstation (DAW).
• Perform dialogue editing, noise reduction, and sound replacement.
• Create and synchronise sound effects and Foley.
• Mix dialogue, effects, and music for a balanced final track.

Topics:
• DAW fundamentals: session setup, tracks, editing tools, and shortcuts.
• Dialogue editing: cutting, crossfading, levelling, and removing clicks/pops.
• Noise reduction tools: spectral editing, gates, and plugins.
• ADR and voice-over: recording and synchronising replacement dialogue.
• Sound effects: sourcing, editing, and layering for realism.
• Foley: recording footsteps, props, and cloth movements to picture.
• Music: spotting, editing, and balancing with dialogue and effects.
• Practical exercise: editing and mixing a short scene from raw location audio.

Day 4: Final Mix, Delivery, and Industry Practices

Objectives:
• Execute a final mix conforming to broadcast and cinema standards.
• Apply loudness normalisation and deliver appropriate audio formats.
• Understand the roles and workflows in professional sound post-production.
• Demonstrate professional conduct and collaboration with the production team.

Topics:
• Mixing workflow: balancing levels, EQ, compression, and spatial placement.
• Loudness standards: LUFS, true peak, and specs for TV, film, and web.
• Surround sound basics: 5.1 and 7.1 setup, panning, and monitoring.
• Delivery formats: WAV, AIFF, stems, and metadata requirements.
• Industry roles: production sound mixer, sound designer, re-recording mixer.
• Collaboration: communication with director, editor, and post-production supervisor.
• Career pathways: freelancing, studio work, and continuing education.
• Final project: complete a polished mix of a short film scene with feedback.

Practicals

No practicals for this training.

This course is made up of exercises and case studies delivered alongside the theory — no separate practical sessions are required to complete it.

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course and a final summative test at the end.

Daily Exercises — 30%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 30% to the final total.

Final Test — 70%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 70% to the overall mark.

Final Total
Component Out of Weight
Daily Average (multiple choice) 100% 30%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) 100% 70%
Final Total 100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to delegates who achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher on the Final Total (Daily Average 30% + Final Test 70%).

How it works
  • Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
  • Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
  • You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
  • If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.

Upcoming Training Sessions
Online training — attend live sessions from anywhere via our virtual classroom.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Tue 08 Sep 2026 Fri 11 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,107 Register
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Mon 27 Dec 2027 Thu 30 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,107 Register
Tue 18 Jan 2028 Fri 21 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,107 Register
On-Campus training — face-to-face sessions at our training venues across Africa and beyond.
Showing all 492 sessions across 26 venues
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Mon 10 Aug 2026 Thu 13 Aug 2026 Durban, South Africa Winter 2026 $2,581 Register
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Mon 14 Sep 2026 Thu 17 Sep 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,436 Register
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Tue 23 Mar 2027 Fri 26 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,436 Register
Mon 14 Jun 2027 Thu 17 Jun 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,436 Register
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Mon 26 Jul 2027 Thu 29 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,436 Register
Tue 14 Sep 2027 Fri 17 Sep 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,436 Register
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Tue 26 Oct 2027 Fri 29 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,436 Register
Mon 13 Dec 2027 Thu 16 Dec 2027 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,436 Register
Tue 04 Jan 2028 Fri 07 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,436 Register
Mon 24 Jan 2028 Thu 27 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,436 Register
Training Discounts
Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% off per 5 delegates, up to 40% for 100+

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