ADR (Automatic Dialog Replacement) is the process of recording dialog to match picture. ADR is necessary when production sound has too much background sound that does not relate to the character whom is speaking. This includes camera noise, overhead planes, fans, etc.

Actors terribly dislike doing ADR for three reasons: 1). It is very difficult to match the emotion of the original take. 2). It is very difficult to match the timing of the original take. 3). ADR is done in a cramped studio!

Nevertheless, ADR happens, so to make it as painless as possible:

-Set up a record loop. The actor can watch the specific part of the scene a few times to get a rhythm for delivering the line. This is why ADR is also called “looping.”

-Actors get very testy when doing ADR, so don’t make them dwell on one line. You can always go back to it later.

-As much as possible, do ADR “wild,” or without picture. Any line that is off-camera can be done wild, and this is a good way to add clarifying dialog to the scene. BUT, always match on-camera dialog to picture, even if you decide to record it wild.

-Don’t force it. If the actor is very frustrated, take a break.

-The actor is not being a primadonna; it is one of the hardest things for an actor to do!

Aaron Diecker is a New York City-based sound designer for film, television, music, and multimedia. His clients include Nickelodeon, HBO Latino, CBS, and Lions Gate Entertainment. He also sound designed the popular children’s television shows Dora the Explorer and Go Diego Go. His work can be viewed online at www.aarondiecker.com.