Blog written by Ann Michel and Phil Wilde, coprincipals, Insights International

Which comes first, the picture or the sound?

For me, it is often a song or sound that catalyses a show. I love to edit to music. I love to find the rhythm and flow in images and their sequencing based on a great song.

In a production, finishing up the audio track is usually done last.

Many musicians scoring a soundtrack for you will require a "picture lock" version, a completed, edited show to work from.

This can leave you editing the picture with only your brain—and not your heart.

However, if you know and trust your collaborators, this reverse process can work.

Sometimes, you can get early versions of music to edit to, to set your moods and rhythms.

This creative exchange between editor and sound designer can be the best part of production, going back and forth, editing and mixing with your heart as well your brain.