How A Pro Editor Sound Designs A Scene (Live Demo)

If you want to create more impactful edits, here’s my advice: spend as much time on sound as you do on picture.

I’ve been a pro editor for over 20 years, and today I’m going to sound design a scene from scratch so you can see my exact process (check out the YouTube video above for the full live demo). And at the end of this article, I’m going to share a special tip. 

In this lesson, we are working with a fun scene—a boy knocking out a gigantic spider monster with an empty bottle. This content is from a spot I edited and sound designed about 10 years ago. I remember being so excited to work on the sound for this spot (as it's not everyday you get to work on a shot of a huge spider monster in an apocalyptic future).

I've removed the original audio so that I can show you how to craft something new in real time. 

My first step in the process is to make a quick copy of the scene, which leads me to my first tip: create two distinct versions simultaneously.  This way, instead of trying to find the perfect sound for one version, I can cut in my two favorite sounds.  As collaborators like seeing options, presenting two possibilities is a great way to get the conversation started.

I also feel that creating multiple versions helps take the pressure off, allowing room to play and have fun.  Some ideas will work, others won't.  You just have to trust the process.

On my screen, I have Artlist (affiliate link) open, which is a great option for sound effects. I also have two additional finder windows open—one is for my downloads and the other is my SFX folder (so I can stay organized and quickly get these sounds into my project).

And now for one last tip: as an editor on a project with visual effects (meaning anything that hasn't been created yet), you are often placing sounds for things that don’t yet exist (including even something like a placeholder motion-graphic). These circumstances can really stretch your imagination as an editor.  Not only do the sounds help sell the edit, but sometimes your sound design will inform or inspire the final animation. 

My point is this: experimenting with sound early on has major benefits.  For example, you might influence how the visual effects artist animates a character...or you may inspire the motion-design animation of a graphic.

Austen is an ADDY award-winning film & commercial editor with over 20 years of experience. He has worked with global brands like Meta, KPMG, SAP, and Christianity Today. His PSA work has championed causes like school safety (with Matthew McConaughey), driving safety, and anti-tobacco. A thought leader in the editing field, his online lessons quickly amassed over 100K views after launch.