Can creatives work remotely?

Yes! It can actually be easier, too!

If you haven’t worked with a freelancer before, you may have questions about how it can work. Can a remote contractor really communicate well? Will they send their contributions to the project in a timely manner? Will they understand your vision for your project? It may surprise you to find out that when working remotely, communication and productivity often increase in quality.

If COVID has taught employers anything, it’s been that working remotely is not only possible, but in some cases, may be desirable. Numerous studies have come out in the last year that show that workers are actually increasing their output when working from home. But, in addition to studies that demonstrate higher productivity among remote workers, I want to visit a couple experiences I’ve had, myself.

I remember one experience, when I was scoring a short film. I was watching the film, in person, with the director, lead cinematographer, and producer. We spent hours hashing out what worked and what didn’t. This was the fourth time we had watched the film together, and the last time I worked a job without specifying the number of revisions in my contract. 

I remember taking notes, but that the notes contradicted themselves as none of the three other parties could agree on what they wanted out of the score. The director and producer had disagreements about the ending. They wanted to re-cut it. I tried explaining that a recut would entail work on the score, and that was construed as my taking the director’s side. The cinematographer was given notes about the light, which he had to explain would need to be edited in post, and that wasn’t his job, as he had turned over the raw video files to the director.

I remember another experience, this time programming keyboards for a musical. A stage manager and director paused live runs during the dress rehearsal so they could discuss if a character’s hat looked weird in the light. After the music director stepped out briefly, the director decided to start the run again, leaving the stage manager to conduct. He tried gamely, but had never conducted, and essentially waved nonsensically at the band and hoped it would work. (It did not) Meanwhile, a local elementary school that had been enlisted to act in one specific scene had brought a class of excited youngsters over, where they were waiting, in costume, for over an hour. Their block of rehearsal time had been conveyed to the elementary school teachers, but, sadly, not to the stage manager, or any of the production team that was running the rehearsal.

Now. Of course, in-person communication and productivity can work well. These two examples from personal experience cannot indict all in-person interaction. And I enjoy connecting in person with clients very much. But, I think it’s important to acknowledge that communication, particularly around deadlines and workflow, doesn’t need to be in-person to be effective. Watching a film in person, or playing/programming keyboards for a musical in person, are no guarantee that participants will enhance productivity.

Conversely, I’ve had many remote interactions where we established effective communication early, and made the process of working together smooth. For one client, I had a quick phone call with the creators, where they explained the conceit of their podcast, their intended audience and tone, and we discussed what similar music they had liked. We discussed potential reference tracks, and by the end of our thirty minute call, I was able to run my specific ideas about the orchestration and instrumental palette by them. We set a deadline, and I communicated with them about where I was in the process.

After finishing the first draft, they accepted quickly. And that was it.

The entire job was conducted remotely, and was productive and efficient.

Updating design documents for a game, or clarifying revision notes, or confirming the receipt of files, are all vital to constructive communication. And even in teams that work in person, these important tasks are often carried out remotely.

If you’re unaccustomed to remote workers, It can feel weird, at first, inviting somebody onto a project with only electronic communications to gauge their work ethic. But, I hope you’re willing to take the plunge. It really can work very well. Be sure to check out three tips for communicating your project to a composer.

And if you’re considering a composer for your project, let me know - I happen to know a guy.