Perils of Production: Location Sound Tips & Screw-Ups

If there’s one thing that can instantly tank an indie film, it’s bad audio. No matter how stunning the cinematography, how gripping the performances, or how brilliant the story—if the audience can’t hear it clearly, they’re checking out. In this month's series of Perils of Production, Victoria and Chuck dive into the real-life horror stories of location sound failures, sharing hard-earned lessons and essential location sound tips for indie filmmakers who want to get it right the first time.

Why Good Audio Matters More Than You Think

Filmmakers love to focus on visuals, but studies show that audiences will tolerate shaky camerawork as long as they can hear what’s happening. On the flip side, no amount of 4K magic can save a film with muffled, distorted, or distracting audio. Chuck, having made every indie film sound mistake possible, knows this better than anyone—and he’s here to help others avoid the same fate.

Location Sound Tips That Could Save Your Film

1. Get That Microphone CLOSE

The #1 rule of capturing clean location sound: proximity is everything. A boom mic is ideal, but lavalier mics work in a pinch. Whatever the setup, the closer the mic, the cleaner the sound. Otherwise, expect to spend countless hours in post wondering why everyone sounds like they’re trapped in a tin can.

2. Know Your Equipment Before You Hit Record

Victoria once rented mics, plugged them in incorrectly, and ended up recording an entire shoot with the wrong input. The result? Audio that sounded like it was captured through a sock. Lesson learned: test everything before rolling—especially if it’s rented gear.

3. Silence the Noisy Culprits (or Regret It Later)

Fridges, HVAC systems, distant lawnmowers—these are the silent assassins of location sound. If it hums, buzzes, or roars, turn it off. Pro tip: Put your car keys in the fridge as a reminder to turn it back on after the shoot (because, yes, Chuck has killed not one, but TWO refrigerators full of food).

4. Always Be Recording (Even If the Director Says Not To)

A common mistake? Not capturing audio during “silent” shots because “it’s just B-roll.” Chuck has learned the hard way that sometimes, that background audio is crucial for continuity and realism. Record everything—you can always delete, but you can’t recover what you never captured.

5. Project, Project, Project!

Film actors often deliver their lines naturally, which is great—until they’re competing with background noise. Encouraging actors to speak up can make all the difference, especially when shooting in uncontrolled environments.

6. ADR Should Be a Last Resort

Automated Dialogue Replacement (ADR) is an indie filmmaker’s worst nightmare. If audio is too noisy to salvage, the only option is to have actors re-record lines in post. But unless they’re seasoned voice actors, ADR often sounds robotic, out of sync, and just… off. Avoid it by following these location sound tips in the first place.

7. Invest in (or Borrow) Decent Audio Gear

Indie filmmakers on a budget often skimp on sound, but even a mid-range shotgun mic or a solid wireless lav system can be a game-changer. As Chuck puts it, “A $160 mic is still better than no mic.”

Final Thoughts on Location Sound

Location sound is one of the biggest challenges in indie filmmaking, but it’s also one of the most critical. With the right preparation, attention to detail, and a solid location sound strategy, filmmakers can avoid the dreaded “we’ll fix it in post” trap. Whether it’s remembering to turn off the fridge, making sure the mic is actually recording, or simply getting sound as clean as possible on set, these location sound tips can make all the difference.

Want to hear more production horror stories (and how to avoid them)? Subscribe to the podcast and drop your own sound fails in the comments!

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