Field Note #3: ADR to Picture - A Simple Guide for Remote Directors
Whether you're directing a feature, series, or commercial, ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement) can be one of those make-or-break final steps in post-production. When you're working remotely — across time zones, countries, or continents — the process can sound more complicated than it really is.
At Sound Farm in Charleston, we handle ADR sessions for film and television productions around the world. With Zoom, Source-Connect, and real-time picture streaming, directors, producers, and sound supervisors can listen in, guide performances, and approve takes live — all without leaving their desk.
If you’re new to directing ADR remotely, here’s a simple guide to make the process smooth and stress-free.
1. Know What You’re Recording
Before the session, make sure you’ve confirmed:
Which scenes and line numbers need ADR
The exact timecodes for each cue
Whether each line will be synced to picture or recorded wild
Having a clean cue sheet ready to go saves valuable session time. The actor and engineer can follow along easily, and you can focus on the performance instead of hunting timestamps.
2. Communicate the Vision Early
Remote sessions flow best when everyone is on the same page. Send your engineer any reference materials ahead of time — tone notes, scene context, or even the previous line in the edit.
A quick pre-session chat with the actor about character emotion or pacing also helps them drop straight into the right headspace once the red light’s on.
3. Set Up a Clear Communication Loop
During the session, you’ll be connected via Source-Connect for crystal-clear audio, and video can stream directly from the studio’s system for live picture reference.
We recommend:
Keeping verbal direction short and specific
Letting the engineer handle technical cues (“rolling,” “marking,” etc.)
Using consistent keywords like “reset,” “keep rolling,” or “wild”
This keeps everyone focused and prevents talk-back lag from interrupting takes.
4. Trust the Engineer
A good ADR engineer is your biggest ally in a remote session. They’ll manage sync, capture multiple takes, and make sure the actor’s timing, tone, and mic position stay consistent.
At Sound Farm, we record ADR primarily with a Sennheiser MKH 416 shotgun mic and a Shure lav mic for consistent dialogue tone and clarity. For voiceover and audiobook sessions, we switch to the Neumann U87 — the industry standard for that warm, detailed vocal sound.
We also run a playback monitor in the booth, so talent can see the picture cues in real time and lock their delivery perfectly to sync.
5. Review and Approve Before Wrapping
At the end of the session, take a few minutes to review your takes in real time. Listen for emotional continuity, line clarity, and sync accuracy. Once approved, your engineer will export frame-accurate, mix-ready stems that drop straight into your post workflow — no file wrangling or naming nightmares.
Bonus: Making Remote ADR Feel Seamless
Even when miles apart, you can still create that in-room energy. A relaxed pace, small talk between takes, and keeping the camera on during playback all help everyone feel connected.
And if your talent’s in Charleston — the snacks, tea, and comfy booth at Sound Farm don’t hurt either.
Ready to Book?
We handle ADR, VO, and voice-to-picture sessions for studios and productions of all sizes — local, national, and international.
If you’re a director, producer, or post-supervisor looking to schedule a remote session: