WORKING WITH NON-AUDIO PROS
Speaking Out
WORKING WITH NON-AUDIO PROS
Professional Sound magazine surveyed audio professionals about their experience and opinions on working with non-audio professionals on creative projects .
How do you deal with a disagreement with a nonaudio professional on a creative project ?
42 % of respondents work in live entertainment
while 26 % are in recording
studios and 16 % in post-production studios
63 % report often working with non-audio professionals while
37 % sometimes do .
What do you find is the most challenging part of working with non-audio professionals on a creative project ?
Speaking Out
In your experience , what are the key things you need to do or keep in mind when working with non-audio professionals on a creative project to make the relationship productive and enjoyable ?
“ Try to do what they think they want and then show them an alternative solution and let them decide . The problem that can arise is doing what they ask for and knowing that I will be judged on the outcome .”
“ Try to explain issues and objectives in simple , easy to grasp terms . Not being a ‘ hard core ’ techie myself makes me sympathetic to their concerns .”
“ Find a common language . It is our role to be interpreters for what they are looking for . Over communicate , ask tons of questions , and then listen to the answers you get and again ask questions for clarification . Relax ; if you get stressed , they get stressed and communication breaks down even more .”
5 % Do what they want 53 % Try to find a compromise solution 0 % Push harder for my approach / solution 42 % Depends on the person I ’ m dealing with 0 % Other
32 % Their inability to technically explain what they want 5 % Disagreement over the sound ’ s purpose 21 % Unrealistic expectations 26 % Conflicting opinions on approach or vision 5 % Difficulty explaining to them what you ’ re doing or need to do 0 % Other
PROFESSIONAL SOUND 17