What is your favorite... sound design project? synthesizer? resource? application? story? piece of gear? technique? This month's theme is, to say the least, open to interpretation. I am sure you know that feeling. The one you get when you come across something that is just too good to keep to yourself and you feel the need to share it with any colleague that will listen. … [Read more...]
The Business of Foley
For the last 6 months or so I've been an avid reader of Stephen Follow's blog. I stumbled across it when I was looking for some ideas for a class I was teaching and I've been hooked ever since. Amongst other things Stephen writes about the business of making films and offers a tantalising glimpse into the murky world of budgets and film finance. Beyond some of the more … [Read more...]
Tax Considerations When Hiring Freelancers
The path we take in our careers can be a fairly winding one. It’s hard to predict exactly where you’re going to wind up. For instance, last year I found myself in the position where, while working as an independent sound designer after years as a staffer, I needed a team of people to help me complete a project by deadline. It’s not a bad position to be in. I like working, and … [Read more...]
Lessons of a Reckless Freelancer, or How I Learned to Love the Paperwork
When I first started up as a freelance sound designer and re-recording mixer, I had never been responsible for running a business. Working for myself seemed to be the ultimate job; I could set my hours, pick my projects, and do things how I wanted to do them. Beyond this freedom, what else was there? As it turns out, I completely glossed over that whole “how to run my own … [Read more...]
Make Yourself a Valuable Sound Designer
Guest Contribution by Jason Cushing My name is Jason Cushing and I’m one of the co-founders of SoundMorph. Recently, I was chatting with the hard-working and talented Shaun Farley of Designing Sound about the site's latest monthly topic: the business of sound. There are many aspects to this vast subject, but one topic that might be helpful for those of you just starting out in … [Read more...]
The Mindset of Business
Guest Contribution by April Tucker Early in my career, I watched a couple studios crumble first hand. One was a music studio that went bankrupt because the owner made some poor choices. The other was a post studio that laid off most of the staff in one day; "Black Wednesday," we called it. I had mixed feelings knowing I’d own a business someday. Learning business skills didn’t … [Read more...]
The Neglected Topic
This is going to be an odd month, because we're not going to talk about sound. Not directly anyways. There's a broad range of topics that are often neglected in discussions of our craft, and that's the business side of things. Media production programs in Colleges and Universities are practically a dime a dozen now...though they certainly don't cost a little more than a … [Read more...]