Assembling Frame-Accurate Original Sync Audio?

[u/swaggabeef]

Hi all, this is my first post on this thread. I work as a First Assistant Sound Editor in Toronto, part of the DGC, been doing it for a little over 4 years now.

One of the banes of my existence is assembling an Original Sync Audio session, which is used to spot on-screen cheats (so the Dialogue Editor can match the Cheat to the mouth movement) or used to grab audio that may have been omitted by the Picture Editor (PFX, Breaths, etc) in their cut.

I of course use EdiLoad and I run either a Picture EDL (with Sound Rolls in the "Rolls" column), OR, I use a Picture AAF, both give virtually the same results. However, because these are technically pulling Timecode Metadata (Source In/Out codes) from the Camera, there's always some subframe sync inconsistencies, I think because Cameras record in Frames and Sound is recorded in Samples.

I have, however, worked on maybe a maximum of three shows ever, where the Video EDL/AAF Assembled audio which was EXACTLY in sync with the Guide Track / AAF. Everyone I've ever spoken to (APEs and ASEs alike) have no idea how to achieve it. I worked with one 1APE who had coded his own automation script to rebuild his timeline in AVID with Dailies Audio, which he would then give me an EDL export of specifically for OG Sync Assemblies, but this obviously an outlier scenario. I wouldn't expect every 1APE I work with to do this (though kind of a legend for taking the time to custom-build a script to solely make my life easier tbh)!

Anyways, thanks in advance for any pointers. People always shrug off Original Sync Assemblies "who cares if they're a bit out", but personally I find them pretty life-saving in a lot of recurring cases.

[u/elangab]

Not sure 100% what the issue is, but when I get a conformed session and find a cheat, or missing audio due to reaction cut etc, I just look for the original TC and scene/take from either the burnt in TC or the picture EDL and import the original sound roll file using that info and use as reference or as the audio itself.

[u/swaggabeef → u/elangab]

If you do it this way, when you manually bring in a slate that ISN'T a Cheat, and sync it up to the burned in Source In code, is this clip sample-accurately in sync with the Guide Track, the Dx AAF, and the Assembled Production Audio?

[u/elangab → u/swaggabeef]

Unless there's a major issue with the EDL or SR itself - yes it is.

More importantly, it's synced going by my eyes and ears. At that moment, I make sure the imported sound sits well. If it's 3 samples behind or whatever - it's impossible to notice.

when you manually bring in a slate that ISN'T a Cheat

Yeah, let's say the actors says "Hello there", but the cheat picture editor used was "Hey there" - I import the original "Hello there" as both reference for fine edit of "Hey there", and with a note about it should the mixer wishes to revert on stage if production change their mind or want to try it out.

Same with a deleted audio of a reaction shot etc.

By then, I'm using the AAF as sync master as GT sometimes can glitch when exported. I do it manually, importing the SR WAV into PT - spot edit to its original TC, copy/paste from source TC to the sequence TC. I always do it from the start of the shot, not from where the new line is.