This is posted here since as composers, we often provide feedback on the audio component of the film and for low to no budget films, that feedback is often given to the filmmakers/directors who also wear the hat of the 'sound editor'.
Now almost always, the music is created either in the stereo space (or a 5.1/7.1 surround space for budgeted films) - the sound comes from the whole width of the speakers.
The question here is as follows. Those in the independent film business (and I have seen this a bunch), don't place all the dialog in the same place in speaker space. And since I get completed (hopefully locked films :) ) mp4s with the dialog audio, I often am asked to provide feedback especially on audio 'issues'.
So I generally tell the directors/filmmakers to place all the dialog (& ADR) in the center whether they have a stereo or surround audio track. Do you agree with that? When (if ever) is it appropriate to place dialog anywhere not in the center.
(I am not referring to above foley/sound effects which I believe gets treated in the same 'space' as the music)
