After the Christmas holiday, we were given the opportunity to collaborate with the experimental animation department on a short clip, allowing us to practice composition for a animation score.
I was paired with a group exploring the concept of time. They interviewed their parents about their childhood and how their perception of time has changed. The animation, illustrated in a childlike style, carries a nostalgic tone and is presented in Polish and Spanish. It consists of four stories: the first reflects on repetition and routine, the second on the fleeting nature of time, the third on stillness and longing for home, and the fourth on a cherished childhood memory under the sun.
At the beginning, none of us had experience scoring experimental animation, so we lacked a clear vision of how the music should sound. I shared several previous demos I felt suited the first draft they provided. After discussing their broad ideas, one demo was selected as the foundation for customization. Over the next few days, we defined key aspects, such as the final duration of each piece and a signature sound to enhance the nostalgic theme.
A major focus of our collaboration was how to express the animation’s emotions through music. Since the dialogue was in Polish and Spanish, the language barrier occasionally led to misinterpretations, requiring additional adjustments to better capture each story’s mood. By slowing the piano rhythm and adjusting the harmonic color, we ultimately crafted a score that satisfied both parties, achieving a precise emotional expression. However, due to time constraints, some areas still need refinement, which we plan to address in future discussions.
This experience was both valuable and enjoyable, offering me insight into the intricacies of scoring animation while also gains me a nice friendship.
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