Film sound budget and timeline for a Feature Film/Documentary. How much does it cost?

After reading this blog, I’m hoping your hopes and dreams of making a feature film/documentary are made a little easier with a bit of knowledge about a film's post-audio process. By the end, you should have a clearer understanding of what to expect in terms of budgeting, what the process entails, and what you can anticipate on your journey through post-audio. You can download our rate card here to better understand how much it will cost to get a professional sound designer, dubbing mixer, or composer involved in your production.

As an indie filmmaker, sound is often underestimated, but it plays a huge role in the final quality of your film. Many first-time filmmakers don’t fully appreciate how much sound influences the audience’s experience. Whether it’s dialogue, sound effects, or the score, good audio will make your film feel polished and immersive. Poor audio, however, can detract from even the most visually stunning footage. Keeping that in mind, it's essential to invest in sound from the very beginning and give it the attention it deserves.

I will just be covering the budget and process for an indie feature film. If you’re making a short film or something smaller, use this as a guide as the pricing will be based on a 1 hour 20-minute runtime. This is OBODO pricing for an indie film, and of course, different studios will have their own rates based on location, experience, and facilities.

For many filmmakers, the post-audio process can seem intimidating, especially if you haven’t worked with sound professionals before. But fear not, this process doesn’t have to be as overwhelming as it might seem at first. It’s simply a matter of breaking down each stage, understanding what’s required, and knowing how to budget accordingly.

If you’re currently planning on making a film and you haven’t got a clue what I’m talking about, I would advise doing some further reading and learning what to implement to make your post-audio production process much smoother. It will ultimately save you lots of money in the long run, as well as avoid the common pitfalls that many filmmakers face.

“Fix it in post” ends up taking up lots of time, which simply means it’s going to cost you much more money. If you don’t bother paying attention to sound during filming, you might as well not even bother shooting it. As pessimistic as it sounds, putting the extra effort into getting clean, clear, and detailed sound on set will take your film to another level. Good sound can elevate even a low-budget indie documentary into a professional-sounding piece of work.

The most successful indie filmmakers understand that the sound process starts long before the post-production phase. Whether it’s planning your sound design, choosing the right microphones, or making sure the audio on set is usable, there’s a lot you can do to ensure that your audio post-production is as smooth as possible. Sometimes, this may involve working with a sound consultant before the shoot even begins.

Moreover, a major factor to consider is how you’ll manage your sound budget. While the cost of professional sound services can add up quickly, remember that investing in quality audio can make a huge difference to your film’s overall impact. Whether you choose to handle the post-production in-house or hire a studio like OBODO, budgeting for sound will ultimately help your film resonate with your audience.

As someone who’s spent years working in post-audio for films and documentaries, I can tell you that there’s one thing I’ve seen time and time again: the films that get it right with sound tend to stand out, especially in festivals or when being reviewed. Sound isn’t just about technical perfection, it's about creatively using sound to enhance the emotional impact of your story. The film Wool, for example, used the rhythmic clicking of knitting needles and the constant ticking of a clock to build tension, creating a feeling of being trapped. It was a simple but effective sound choice that helped convey the internal struggle of the character.

So, to put it simply: Get your sound right. Whether it’s hiring a skilled sound recordist or working with an experienced sound editor, don't skimp on the sound team. A strong sound design can take your film from good to great.

If you want more tips and insights into creating films that will be successful at festivals, check out our blog Advice for Indie Filmmakers from Your Post-Production Sound Team. It’s full of practical advice on how to prepare for sound during both pre-production and post-production. It’ll give you everything you need to avoid common sound mistakes and set yourself up for success.

Understanding Post-Audio Costs

Post-audio for a film is generally broken down into several key areas: sound design, dialogue editing, sound mixing, and music composition. Each phase involves different levels of expertise and varying costs, so it’s important to budget accordingly.

For a 1-hour 20-minute indie documentary, here’s a rough breakdown of post-audio costs:

1. Sound Design

   • Sound design creates the world around your story. This includes the creative use of sound effects to complement the visual narrative, whether it's ambient sounds, foley (like footsteps or doors creaking), or specific sound effects to bring scenes to life.

   • Estimated cost: £2,000 - £3,500

2. Dialogue Editing

   • Dialogue editing involves cleaning up and synchronizing all spoken audio. This is particularly important for documentaries, as interviews and spoken word content are central to the storytelling. Ensuring crisp, clear dialogue free of unwanted noise is critical to the film’s professionalism.

   • Estimated cost: £1,000 - £2,000

3. Sound Mixing

   • The sound mix brings together all the audio elements (dialogue, sound effects, music) into one cohesive, balanced track. A professional mixing engineer ensures that dialogue is audible, effects are immersive, and music doesn’t overwhelm the narrative.

   • Estimated cost: £2,000 - £4,000

4. Music Composition

   • Music adds depth to your documentary, setting the tone for different moments. Whether it’s an original score or licensed tracks, music is a key element in creating an emotional connection with your audience.

   • Estimated cost: £1,000 - £10,000 (if using original music)

Total Estimated Post-Audio Budget for a 1-Hour 20-Minute Film

When you add up all these areas, the total cost for post-audio services for a feature film typically ranges from £4,500 to £13,000. Keep in mind that these costs will vary depending on the experience of the professionals you hire, the complexity of your project, and the scope of your sound design needs. A documentary would generally be around £2,000 - £5000 depending on narrative and sound design.

How to Optimise Your Post-Audio Budget

While post-audio is an essential part of the filmmaking process, there are ways to optimize your budget and keep costs under control:

1. Plan Ahead

   • One of the most effective ways to reduce post-audio costs is to plan your sound needs before you even start shooting. Consider how you’ll approach sound design, what kind of music might be necessary, and how you’ll record quality dialogue on set. Pre-production planning is crucial in avoiding unnecessary fixes in post.

2. Work with a Professional Sound Team

   • Invest in a good sound recordist during production. High-quality recordings during the shoot will minimize the need for excessive work in post-production, which can be costly and time-consuming. (THIS WILL SAVE YOU MANY SLEEPLESS NIGHTS)

3. Streamline Music Licensing

   • If you're on a tight budget, you might consider using royalty-free or licensed music instead of hiring a composer for original scores. This can help save on composition costs while still enhancing the emotional impact of your documentary.

4. Mixing and Mastering

   • A good sound mixer can help you make the most of your existing audio. If you’re working with a smaller budget, consider having a smaller team handle both mixing and mastering, as some sound professionals offer bundled packages for these services.

Typical Post-Audio Timeline for a Feature Film

Knowing the general timeline for post-audio can help you set realistic expectations for how long each phase of the process will take. Here’s a typical post-audio timeline for a 1-hour 20-minute documentary film:

1. Dialogue Editing (1-2 weeks)

   • The dialogue editing phase is one of the most crucial parts of post-audio. It’s where any background noise is removed, and the dialogue is synchronized and cleaned up. This phase can take anywhere from one to two weeks, depending on the complexity and the amount of raw audio material. With the write software this can be almost halved.

2. Sound Design (2-3 weeks)

   • Once the dialogue is sorted, the sound design process begins. This includes creating sound effects, adding ambient noises, and ensuring that everything sounds natural and complements the visuals. This phase can last from two to three weeks, depending on how elaborate your sound design is. A documentary would be less time consuming (1-2 weeks) vs narrative film.

3. Music Composition or Licensing (1-3 weeks)

   • Whether you’re working with an original composer or licensing tracks, this phase typically overlaps with sound design. Composers will work alongside the sound designer to create a score that fits seamlessly with the film’s tone. If you’re licensing existing music, this phase can be quicker but still requires careful integration into the sound mix.

4. Sound Mixing (2-3 weeks)

   • The mixing stage usually takes two to three weeks. The mixing engineer will combine the dialogue, sound effects, and music into a cohesive soundtrack, making sure that everything is balanced and the sound supports the storytelling.

Post-audio is an essential part of documentary filmmaking that should not be neglected. By budgeting appropriately and understanding the process, you’ll be better prepared to create a professional-sounding documentary. If you’d like to know more about post-audio or need help with your project, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at OBODO. We're happy to guide you through the process and ensure your film sounds as good as it looks