One’s workflow decides the efficiency of their service. Improving the effectiveness of a workflow can shave time off of your project and also improve the overall quality of the output. When working on scoring Step Forward, I realised that workflow and setup was the key to success.
Two Monitor Screens
Having a dual-screen extended desktop in this context, in my opinion is the most important physical step when setting up for this kind of compositional work. It allows one to monitor both the logic project and all of its goings on and the video in reference to the playhead position on the logic project. This allows more minute adjustments to be made, with more direct synchronisation to the visual stimulus. This was particularly useful when using markers to create a cue sheet as the detail of the larger video screen allows pinpoint accuracy.
Equipment Layout
I have found over the course of this project that I work much more efficiently when all of my equipment is plugged in and ready to go. This allows me to capture ideas upon conception and no ideas are lost plugging in a new piece of equipment. Layout has also been very important for me in my approach to this project. Leaving a microphone plugged in and ready to go allows me to capture the bare bones of a melodic idea for translation at a later period. And having all of the instruments, that I would possibly use at arms length helps to spur the creative concoctions.
Project Layout
I have also found that setting a project up with all of the instruments that are needed according to a brief plan created after the cueing stage, also helps to motivate the creative process. I have found this works best when instruments are loaded in in groups and colour coded. For example an orchestral section can be loaded in, with strings, horns, woodwind and percussion and all coloured green to signify that they all correspond to one another.
After I implemented these techniques, I found a huge improvement in my workflow and rate of work.
Jordan Vaughan: Creative Sound Design 