The Dialogue Fix
An ADR note is the official designation for a line of dialogue that has been flagged for re-recording through a process known as ADR, which stands for Automated Dialogue Replacement or Additional Dialogue Recording. Despite extensive efforts to capture clean, high-quality audio on set, a multitude of issues can render the original production dialogue unusable. The process of identifying these issues and creating a comprehensive list of lines to be re-recorded is a critical step in post-production sound.
ADR is often seen as a last resort, as it can be time-consuming, expensive, and challenging to seamlessly match a studio performance with an on-set performance. However, it is a necessary and powerful tool for ensuring dialogue clarity and quality in the final film.
Reasons for an ADR Note
A line of dialogue can be flagged or “cued” for ADR for several reasons, which are typically identified by the picture editor, sound editor, or director:
- Technical Problems: This is the most common reason. Unwanted background noise (an airplane flying overhead, a generator humming), microphone static or rustling from an actor’s costume, or audio distortion can make a line unusable.
- Performance Issues: The director may decide in post-production that the original delivery of a line was not quite right. Perhaps it lacked the necessary emotional intensity, the pacing was off, or the actor mumbled a crucial word.
- Narrative Clarity: A line that seemed clear during filming might be confusing in the context of the final edit. ADR provides an opportunity to slightly re-phrase the line to clarify a plot point or a character’s motivation.
- Script Changes: Sometimes, a line is changed entirely after filming is complete to improve the story, remove a dated reference, or add a new joke. This is often referred to as a “loop.”
- Vocal Effort: Sounds that are difficult or impossible to perform authentically on set, such as grunts, yells during a fight scene, or heavy breathing, are often added in ADR.
The ADR Process
Once a line is noted for ADR, it is added to an ADR cue sheet. This document lists the line, the reason it’s being replaced, and its exact timecode in the film. During an ADR session, the actor stands in a recording booth, watches the scene on a screen on a loop, and attempts to re-perform the line in perfect sync with their on-screen lip movements. The director is present to provide performance notes, guiding the actor to match or improve upon the original delivery.