So what in the world is Walla you ask. Good question! The word walla was created in the old radio days when they needed the sound of a crowd in the background. They found if several people simply repeated "walla, walla, walla, walla" it sounded like people talking. The audience did not really hear the words, just the buzz of voices.
Well in today's more technical age you have to be more exact and purposeful in order to get the right sound. The "Walla Groups" (also called ADR groups) now use real words and real conversations. The walla actors (that's what we all were) come prepared. They have been informed of the period and locale of the film and have researched the local jargon and geography so that the background dialogue will be authentic. Our accents were perfect for this film set in the Midwest and we did come prepared - - - - - to talk.
Nate explained what he wanted and gave us the chance to practice. He moved us around in the room, grouped us in different ways, had us standing or sitting and directed our volume. We did some clapping and some very polite laughing. The hardest thing was when half of us conversed with our partners but they weren't allowed to answer back. =)
Just like other sound effects, walla has to be cut in very skillfully so that it does not sound artificial. The audience does not want to hear too much every time the principal actors pause, so the editor weaves the walla in and out.
Here's Nate's first Walla Group. (It was a first for all of us.)Thanks to Greg, Mandy, Ahna, Jacob, Stephanie, Bev, Anthony, Mike and Jessica!! You all were great to work with. Let's do it again sometime. "wink"
2 comments:
We had a great time! What a fascinating process.
It is fun to get to see the group after hearing the finished product. Nate, what you did was amazing! I would never have know what you started with (no insult intended toward the wonderful actors, of course).
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