Making Masterpieces with too many things to Do
So its been almost a full year exactly since I last posted. At first I had this idea of having a site dedicated to game audio reviews but I haven't yet fully explored it (I do have the domain name,, just no time). There are a million things I could write about but I guess I'll begin again with something that has been on my mind as of late.
Often times when your talent and passion becomes your business your left with nothing to be passionate about. I've gone down that road before and realized how much I truly love game audio. What I have run in to as of late is a strict lack of time. Oftentimes I feel like what ends up happening when multiple people and projects are involved time is spent keeping your head above water instead of creating the best possible product. I've realized recently (and thankfully) at the beginning of Okratrons next round of projects that to counter that certain things need to be done.
1. Pre-Planning is everything
Its never too early to start a project. Whether that means designing sketch sounds or creating a wish list of systems and goals I've found that when we do this we're always much more knowledgeable and ready when a project kicks in to gear.
2. Weekly Meetings are key
the Okratronnerz meet more than once a week (probably around three times) usually after work and usually at a bar. We've got a table, they know what we drink and we always hash out our master plans in that environment. I find meetings at work while seemingly productive on the surface contain a certain amount of sterility that can keep the best ideas from coming forward. These meetings are relaxing for everyone and most importantly everyone gets on the same page.
3. Schedule Time for Field Recordings
field recordings and the gathering of source in general oftentimes seems like something that should be done if you have a ton of time to spare. In some ways it is but even with a hectic schedule its important to gather source materials. I find that when you take the time to gather material usually your a bit more married to it than you would be if you pulled it from an old recording or a library. The source material is a mental base from which to begin knowing that from the very start your sound (or music) is original and new. Its an inspiring act that helps keep a sound team fresh.
4. Schedule as a Team
this won't work for everyone but again go to a bar (not a crowded or noisy one) and list EVERY SINGLE item thats on your mind. Break those items up in to the amount of time you anticipate it will take and then throw them on a calendar. They don't have to be perfect but when people have a million things going on to be able to reference a list of important items will let your mind be free from constantly thinking about what has to be done next.
5. Schedule Time to play the games
this is an obvious one but unfortunately its fairly new. In the heat of battle sometimes I don't play new areas and look at the game from the gamers perspective. I'll oftentimes just focus on exactly what I'm doing and not venture out further. Its key though to really hone in on what a game is becoming and how you as the audio team can bring the full vision to life.
6. Time everything
As an audio team you won't be able to schedule properly if you don't really know how long it takes to do certain tasks. I've been doing this for a number of years and I kept over shooting things or under shooting. It was then that I found RAT RACE (a free Mac App) that does one thing really well. It lets you put in tasks and time them. Simple right?? Well it is, but its even more eye opening, when I realized how long I was spending on Project Y while neglecting Project X I realized some things needed to change (scheduling also plays in to this).
Okay I'm tired more later.
I promise
-mtcs
Often times when your talent and passion becomes your business your left with nothing to be passionate about. I've gone down that road before and realized how much I truly love game audio. What I have run in to as of late is a strict lack of time. Oftentimes I feel like what ends up happening when multiple people and projects are involved time is spent keeping your head above water instead of creating the best possible product. I've realized recently (and thankfully) at the beginning of Okratrons next round of projects that to counter that certain things need to be done.
1. Pre-Planning is everything
Its never too early to start a project. Whether that means designing sketch sounds or creating a wish list of systems and goals I've found that when we do this we're always much more knowledgeable and ready when a project kicks in to gear.
2. Weekly Meetings are key
the Okratronnerz meet more than once a week (probably around three times) usually after work and usually at a bar. We've got a table, they know what we drink and we always hash out our master plans in that environment. I find meetings at work while seemingly productive on the surface contain a certain amount of sterility that can keep the best ideas from coming forward. These meetings are relaxing for everyone and most importantly everyone gets on the same page.
3. Schedule Time for Field Recordings
field recordings and the gathering of source in general oftentimes seems like something that should be done if you have a ton of time to spare. In some ways it is but even with a hectic schedule its important to gather source materials. I find that when you take the time to gather material usually your a bit more married to it than you would be if you pulled it from an old recording or a library. The source material is a mental base from which to begin knowing that from the very start your sound (or music) is original and new. Its an inspiring act that helps keep a sound team fresh.
4. Schedule as a Team
this won't work for everyone but again go to a bar (not a crowded or noisy one) and list EVERY SINGLE item thats on your mind. Break those items up in to the amount of time you anticipate it will take and then throw them on a calendar. They don't have to be perfect but when people have a million things going on to be able to reference a list of important items will let your mind be free from constantly thinking about what has to be done next.
5. Schedule Time to play the games
this is an obvious one but unfortunately its fairly new. In the heat of battle sometimes I don't play new areas and look at the game from the gamers perspective. I'll oftentimes just focus on exactly what I'm doing and not venture out further. Its key though to really hone in on what a game is becoming and how you as the audio team can bring the full vision to life.
6. Time everything
As an audio team you won't be able to schedule properly if you don't really know how long it takes to do certain tasks. I've been doing this for a number of years and I kept over shooting things or under shooting. It was then that I found RAT RACE (a free Mac App) that does one thing really well. It lets you put in tasks and time them. Simple right?? Well it is, but its even more eye opening, when I realized how long I was spending on Project Y while neglecting Project X I realized some things needed to change (scheduling also plays in to this).
Okay I'm tired more later.
I promise
-mtcs
posted by mtcs at 9:39 PM
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