Media effects system

A method comprising:

• accessing a first data file associated with a first media application program, wherein the first data file includes a first identifier associated with a first designer-specified variable for controlling the first media application program;
• providing a computer user interface wherein the computer user interface is configured to allow a user of the user interface to control both the first media application program and the second media application program and wherein the computer user interface is configured to use a computer processor to detect in the first data file at least the first identifier associated with the first designer-specified variable for controlling the first media application program;
• communicating the first designer-specified variable value from the user interface to the first application program;
• communicating to the second application program the data file generated by the first application program with the designer-specified variable value;
• communicating a second designer-specified variable value from the user interface to the second application program.