MASTERCLASS: Challenges in Sound Production for Film by Heidi Gerber-Salins

Great sound can make a film unforgettable—bad audio can hold an entire production back. This dynamic masterclass on The Invisible Half of Filmmaking: Challenges in Sound Production dives into the creative and technical realities of sound production, tackling the challenges filmmakers face from set to final mix. How do you get clean, compelling audio from actors? What are the on-set obstacles that sabotage sound before you even get to post? And when is ADR the right solution versus capturing crucial wild lines on location?

Explore how filmmakers can incorporate voice work, recording techniques, and storytelling through sound alone. We’ll break down narration styles, practical tips, and how to build a cohesive sound identity and vibe that supports truth, tone, and emotion.

Whether you’re working in narrative or documentary film, this masterclass offers essential insights to help your sound elevate your story instead of holding it back. Learn to turn raw sound into a polished cinematic experience!

Heidi Gerber-Salins has served as a communications educator as well as an audio engineer and producer for over 30 years, with her collaborative work contributing to nominations and awards of distinction in her field, including GRAMMY© award nominations, New York Festival Radio Awards, and a Helen Hayes Award. Her professional specialization is in acoustic audio engineering and production, with an emphasis on microphone theory, sound capture, and voice production. Ms. Gerber-Salins holds an M.A. in Communication from Johns Hopkins University, and is a published scholar and experienced writer. She is currently an Associate Professor at Howard University, in Washington, DC.

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Host or Publisher DC Independent Film Festival (DCIFF)