1. Hello Delu Duan, we are grateful to you for giving us an Exclusive Interview onyour Best Sound Mixing project “Immortal Mind” We are overjoyed after watchingyour project, could you please tell us about your journey with this project?
Thanks for having me, and I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed the film. The collaboration on this project was remarkably smooth. After discussions with the director and designer, it became clear that the narrative unfolds in a future where individuals can upload their memories. With this in mind, I knew the film’s score need to be experimental and futuristic. That’s when I thought, why not blend in some data and noise into the music. My big inspiration for this project came from the legendary visual artist Ryoji Ikeda. I wanted to capture that glitchy, edgy vibe from Ikeda’s work and infuse it into the film’s soundscape. It was a key move to get across the project’s core ideas and themes.
2. What you think about this project? What is the main agenda of this project?
I found this project to be truly fascinating, and I thoroughly enjoyed experimenting with it. “Immortal Mind” is a fashion film created to showcase the designer’s latest collections. The underlying concept, as per the designer’s vision, explores the idea that even in a future where people can upload their memories or exist in a spiritual form without their physical bodies, there will always be a group of individuals who choose to live life much like we do today. This notion extends to the clothing as well, where comfort and softness remain essential. This idea is also reflected in the sound and music. In addition to the data and noise elements, you’ll notice the inclusion of warm synthesizers and vocals, particularly in the latter part of the film. It’s a thought-provoking question, making me ponder which kind of existence I’d prefer.
3. You are a sound mixing director and sound score maker how many you have done
still?
I founded a company called Icing Media approximately a year ago and assembled a team of talented artists capable of handling the entire film production process. Since then, we’ve had the privilege of assisting numerous artists in bringing their stories to life, and our work has earned us over thirty film festival selections and awards. It’s been an incredible experience collaborating with skilled individuals from diverse fields, and I’m excited about the team’s continued growth and success in the future.
4. Tell us more about yourself and how you got into this profession?
My journey into the world of sound and music has been driven by a deep passion. I’ve been immersed in the world of music since the age of six, studying the cello and music theory. As I progressed through my educational journey, I pursued both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in sound design and music for multimedia. It was during my college years that I started to take this path seriously and realized that creating sound and music for media was where my true passion lay. One of the remarkable aspects of my career is that I’ve never grown tired of it; in fact, I consistently find immense joy in crafting soundscapes and music for various forms of media. My hope is to continue fostering this passion and keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in sound and music in the future.
5. Could you share with us some glimpses of your upcoming projects in this soundmixing industry?
Certainly! I’d be happy to share a sneak peek of my upcoming projects in the sound mixing industry. One of the projects on the horizon is titled “Dear Vanessa,” set to premiere at the NewFest film festival in New York City, a prominent LGBTQ+ festival. The film tells the story of two girls, and one interesting aspect of this project is creating diagetic music for a party scene, which has been a lot of fun. I’ve also incorporated several new techniques into the project, making it an exciting endeavor. If you happen to be in New York City during the screening, please feel free to drop by and say hello!
6. What were some of the hardest roles you have taken up in your career and whatwere the obstacles on the path of your journey?
I’ve been fortunate not to have encountered exceptionally challenging roles in my career thus far. However, one significant obstacle has been maintaining a work-life balance. In the industry, there are often phases of downtime followed by busy seasons with multiple projects. Achieving equilibrium between work and personal life can be quite a task, but I’ve progressively improved my ability to manage this balance.
7. What do you think about the current entertainment industry in the world?
I believe the current entertainment industry is in a constant state of flux, with significant changes happening every day. From my perspective as a film composer, I can see these changes reflected in the evolving styles of music. Take, for example, a project like “Immortal Mind.” In such cases, the traditional methods of film scoring may not be the
most effective approach. As a composer and sound designer, I consider it my responsibility to venture into uncharted territories of sound, essentially exploring new sounds for the “modern orchestration.” It’s about embracing new sounds and technologies to better aid the next generation of artists in telling their stories. In essence, it’s an exciting time in the industry where we’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and reimagining how we can enhance storytelling through music and sound.
8. In the USA film industry we called Hollywood is it easy to enter the main industry?How they treat, tell us some experience.
I’ll say it’s not easy to get into Hollywood, but it’s definitely possible. People like to work with those they trust to ensure the project’s success, so be open to opportunities and attend conferences and events to build connections.
9. What type of sound score do you prefer mostly?
I’m a huge fun of Martin Stig Anderson’s work. Martin is the composer and sound designer for video games like Limbo and Inside. What truly captivates me about his work is the seamless collaboration between sound and music, to the extent that at times, it’s challenging to distinguish between the two. In most productions, sound design and composition are traditionally seen as separate roles. I consider myself fortunate to occasionally have the opportunity to work on both sound and music. I view sound and music as integral components and enjoy exploring how to deconstruct elements from both domains and reconstruct them into a cohesive whole.
10. Finally thank you very much and what do you want to tell young people about thepassion for sound score?
Thank you very much for having me, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my thoughts. To all you young, aspiring artists out there, keep pursuing your passion for art. Have faith in your dreams, and don’t let discouragement hold you back, especially during the early stages of your career. I feel my artwork is a reflection of my life journey. So, make it a point to enjoy life, embrace every tiny moment, and let them naturally become your wellspring of inspiration, supporting your creative endeavors in the world of art.
Winning Category- “Best Sound Mixing” Project – “Immortal Mind” Sound Score By-Delu Duan Country of Origin- United States
