Beginner

- Clean dialog.
- All actor's mics are isolated.
- Good production SFX. Example, clean footsteps that do not need to be replaced.
- Everyone is still. Example, actors are sitting.
- A lot of music, which is mixed very loud. Other sounds are mixed lower.
Intermediate

- Dialog is clean but needs some EQ and matching work.
- Backgrounds are noisy but do not step on lines of dialog.
- Some basic sound design is necessary.
- Some movements which need foley are visible on screen.
- Composed music might need to be mixed in.
Expert

- Dialog is distorted.
- Dialog is too quiet and too close to the background.
- Noisy backgrounds. Examples are lawnmowers, airplanes, or traffic.
- Probably needs ADR.
- Complex sound design. Creating sounds such as werewolf, dragons, or other supernatural elements.