Production Glossary
Sound Stage
A sound stage is a large building, much like an airplane hangar, that is used for filming TV shows and movies. These stages are soundproofed in order to shut out the noises from outside of the studio. Soundproofing is important to ensure that there is no interference in the audio recording of a production. The earliest sound stages attached mattresses to the walls of the studio for soundproofing. A silent stage (without soundproofing) is still used for situations in which sounds and scripts are recorded separate from the action of a scene (i.e. dubbing or dialogue replacement).Having a set build on a sound stage that is confined enables set directors and builders to construct the set to with precision. Lighting decisions and camera placement is easier due to the installation of catwalks and lights hung from the exposed metal structure of the ceiling.
