Although we try to replace with real conversation, we do use techniques that create a walla-esque vibe. The audience couldn’t understand what they were saying, but felt the presence of a chattering crowd through the buzz of voices. Sound designers discovered that if several people simply repeated the words “walla, walla, walla,” it created the ambiance of people talking. Walla got its name back in the golden days of radio, when the sound of a crowd was needed in the background. We have to be pretty masterful at lip-synching.

However, often we cannot hear it, so it is up to us as a group to watch what they are saying and stick words into their mouths that fit naturally. If we can hear it in the original production, we will replace what they are saying. You may see two background actors as crime scene investigators discussing their findings front and center. However, during a loop group session, Looping Atlanta will often replace sound for specific people in the background that are very present onscreen. The principal actors almost always come in to recreate some of their original lines. When the film goes into post-production, a supervising sound editor, also known as an ADR supervisor, reviews all of the dialogue and decides what must be re-recorded. During filming, a production sound mixer records dialogue. Looping is also referred to as Group ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement) and walla. The sound engineer then layers that sound to give it a fullness and realism in the room. Through the use of various techniques on a sound stage, we create a customized background “walla” to enhance the authenticity of each scene. As a group, we create the ambiance for the entire restaurant scene wait staff, patrons, bartenders, kids, chefs, you name it. For example, two principal actors are having lunch at a busy restaurant. This is so that sound can stay clean for each scene and the actors can be heard. In films and on TV, only the principal actors are mic’d. Without knowing it, you’ve been watching shows and movies that have had all of these things in it. Want to learn more? Here’s what Jessica and Grant told me about looping, ADR, and walla, and how you can enter this side of the industry. Recording it is vastly different from any other VO project I’ve ever done, and it was a total blast. I wasn’t entirely sure what looping, ADR, and walla were until I met Jessica and Grant. and Atlanta, the couple formed Looping Atlanta to serve the exploding film industry in the Southeast, casting looping, ADR, and walla. The dynamic duo of Jessica Gee George and Grant George are pioneering the art of looping, ADR, and walla in Atlanta, Georgia, aka “Y’allywood.” While the husband and wife team came to voiceover on two vastly different journeys, they’ve combined their award-winning talent and experience to not only voice commercials, animated series, videos games, and films together, but also cast and direct award-winning projects.

Jessica gee george wikipedia