ADR Work Linked to Studio in Australia Through SSL C300 Digital Film/Post Console and Pro Tools Via the Internet
Franklin, TN, November 26, 2008–Paragon Studios, a premier multi-room recording and post-production facility located near Nashville, recently completed numerous ADR sessions over four months with Academy Award winning actress, Nicole Kidman for the feature film Australia released today. The process, that involved critical linking between filmmakers Bazmark Films in Australia, was streamlined with Paragon’s SSL C300 digital film/post console in Stage B.
“The supervising sound editor, Wayne Pashley, of Big Bang Sound, interviewed us over the phone and felt that we were qualified to handle the job,” says Fred Paragano, owner of Paragon Studios. “Because of our experienced technical staff and cutting edge equipment like our C300, we were able to control both the challenging simultaneous monitor mixing for Ms. Kidman and director Baz Luhrmann located in Australia.”
The ADR work for Kidman’s role in Australia was extensive. The flexibility of the C300, according to Paragano, really helped the entire process along, through the on board control of Pro Tools and the capability to manage multiple input sources quickly and efficiently.
“We really came to rely on the C300 to bring us through this process,” Paragano states. “I had to independently manage what we were hearing in the control room and provide Ms. Kidman with a completely separate mix, while delivering a third discreet mix to a facility in Australia. The C300 allowed us to manage all the stem mixes, dialog tracks and bussing structure to the center of the console where we additionally had complete control of Pro Tools. This functionality allowed me to maintain creative focus, and not get bogged down in the potential technical complexity.”
Another aspect of this session was simultaneously connecting to studios in Australia. Paragon used the plug-in Source-Connect, a program that allows recording with real-time broadcast-quality audio over T1, Cable or DSL Internet. Paragon’s Digidelivery system was setup to deliver Kidman’s ADR takes to the dialog editors at Big Bang Sound. Paragon also used Skype and iChat for continuous video and voice communications to and from the remote studio via the Internet. A monitor was in the booth with Kidman so she was able to see and hear everyone in Australia. Additionally, Paragon staff engineer, Brian Calhoon, ran Voice Cue software that allowed for real time placement of a line to picture for a marked follow on her projection screen.
“The initial sessions lasted a week where we had Nick Breslin, the ADR supervisor for the film, in from Australia,” Paragano relates. “The months following, we needed to connect with the Australian team directly. We would start each session at about 11:00 AM CST, 2:00 AM for Australia. It was really helpful to have them on the line to hear Ms. Kidman’s work and comment in real-time. Additionally, we had the ability to drive their picture and sound. We are thrilled that we had the opportunity to work with all the talented people on this film and especially the Big Bang Sound crew. Wayne Pashley and his team did such a great job with their work on this picture.”
Paragon is no stranger to film and television production sessions, having worked with Ashley Judd on the upcoming Weinstein’s release, Crossing Over with Harrison Ford, the recent Warner Bro’s film, The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie, and the four-disc DVD release of “The Rolling Stones: The Biggest Bang.”
