Hi Hardy,

Thank YOU for your kind comment. It's good to know that what I write is encouraging... :)

As to your questions, I'm always glad to answer whatever I can for people. That said, I'm not the portfolio expert...

A professional sound portfolio was a new idea when I was in undergrad - at least for my mentors - so I didn't have one! I did (do) have LOTS of show specific ACTF documentation for productions that had been submitted (either in entirety or just my design) for adjudication - but nothing to send out to a grad school or for a prospective design job. As a departmental supervisor, I'm hiring engineers, so I don't look for or ask for a portfolio, although I've had several applicants send me CD's with samples of their work. I've never been required to submit a portfolio as part of an interview, either. That said, I have been attempting to put one together - since a portfolio IS the only way someone can see (hear) what you do short of attending a show you've done.As a designer, a good sample CD is probably the single most important piece of a portfolio - and it ought to contain work that shows the range of yours skills, include recorded effects or music, and effects that are unique or shaped enough to not be recognized off of a sound effects library.

As far as sound paperwork, the bulk of my work is created in Excel. I used to draft block diagrams in VectorWorks or another drafting program - but have gotten away from them in favor of hook-up sheets. (Not that they aren't valuable, and I probably SHOULD keep at least a "stock" one on hand.)

In terms of generating my own paperwork, I particularly like Excel because of it's flexibility, as well as being able to keep multiple sheets in one document. My hook-up paperwork, mic documentation, cue plot, recording plot, effects source plot (if the show is big enough to warrant one) are all on separate tabs in one file - which helps me cross reference the information as well as keep it all organized.

I hope that's somewhat helpful! If I can answer anything else, please don't hesitate to ask. Perhaps a paperwork blog will be in my future!

Cheers!

Richelle