Amazingly I was recently given a short film to compose and sound design for. This is my first project where I have had full control. Despite feeling super excited and creatively free, I also found this extremely daunting. Realisation soon hit, that the entire sound design’s responsibility falls on my shoulders.
However, once I came to terms with this I began my work! Angel’s on Oxford street is a short animated film directed by Paul Shammasian. It is based on a true story – portraying a homeless man on Oxford Street and the message behind kindness.
With this being a short film, it allowed the studio to create a close bond and connection with the director; which meant together we could get the sound design and film working in harmony. Having the director present throughout the process was such a positive to my sound designing. The director gave me a new level of understanding and perspective on the film. Which I do believe allowed me to see the sound design on a deeper level. Specific details were added in, which really provided a punching edge to the sound. Making it richer and more complex.
This project overall took around 3 weeks to finish until it went into it’s final mix, which took around 3 days. I felt extremely proud of this piece of work, as it felt as though I had truly spilt my passion into the film. During my placement I have found that it is rare to be able to connect to a project emotionally; which can be restricting from an artistic point of view. Whether this be down to lack of time, budgets, lack of direction from directors or even not having the final picture to work with. However, Angel’s on Oxford Street really ticked all the right boxes; allowing me to be as expressive and complex with my art. Finally, I felt a real connection to the film’s context and morals.
Amazingly, the charity ‘The Big Issue’ has since got behind this film which will help with funding – meaning it can be sent to a variation of film festivals around the world. Including ‘Sun Dance Film Festival’ and potentially the BFI. Which holds so much positivity for the future and where the movie can go.
This picture was taken at the first private screening of the movie in Soho. It was the first time I had ever heard my work in a public cinema, which was incredible!
