Do I need to record audio if there's no dialogue?

[gabrielflorit]

This Saturday is my first shoot day. We'll be shooting someone doing something - but there's no dialogue. Of course when it's all done I want there to be sound cues that reinforce what she's doing - opening a trunk, pounding on the trunk, etc. Maybe walking outside. Do I need to record all this on location? Or can I do it in post?

[Erik Olson]

You'll want to record sound in most instances as a reference or natural sound track. You won't likely eliminate the need for foley work, but you might find that the temp track can serve this purpose.

There are more than a few network scripted episodics that rely heavily on sound captured on-set.

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[conrad_johnson]

Most definitely! Even if you plan to foley the whole thing, you'll want the location sound to mix in for realism.

[AmyO]

I was tempted so many times this weekend to skip sound. But, I had a wonderful sound person who kept insisting "We have the gear, it takes no time to jack into the camera, lets connect the mic and get sound, too." She also reminded me in each room to get room tone after we were done shooting the action.

If you don't use it, no harm done. But if you don't record it and you want to use it, you're up a creek.

My 2¢. :)

[gabrielflorit]

Good points all around - I'm convinced, I'll try to record. Only problem is finding the equipment. If only Anchorage had more rental houses! I CANNOT find anyone with a hypercardiod.

[Kyle Stebbins]

Definitely record sound... though it seems you've already been persuaded.