Short film: My Last Concert
Sound design for the emotional and awarded short film "My last concert".
The darkest but yet most emotional project I have worked on so far.
My involvement in the short film My Last Concert was a testament to the power of collaboration and creative synergy. Here, I share the story of how I became the supervising sound designer for this remarkable project and the emotional depths we aimed to explore:
The journey began when the camera operator for My Last Concert, who was also a fellow student at the University of Applied Sciences Dortmund, joined forces with director Selcuk Cara. Together, they approached my sound design professor with the proposition of collaborating on the film's sound design within the academic setting. With consensus reached, the role of supervising sound designer was entrusted to me.
As the supervising sound designer, my responsibility extended beyond individual sound design tasks. I was tasked with harmonizing the work of the two sound designers involved, myself and the director's creative vision. My role was to ensure that the auditory elements seamlessly complemented the film's narrative and visual aspects.
One of the most memorable aspects of this project was the collaboration with renowned clarinet player Giora Feidman. Thanks to the director's connections in classical music, we had the privilege of working with Feidman, who had previously contributed to Steven Spielberg's iconic Schindler's List. His participation added a unique layer to our project, especially since My Last Concert also explored themes related to the Nazi era. After listening to the recordings, Feidman's acknowledgment that our clarinet recordings were among the most professional he had ever heard in his career was a profound honor.
At the heart of the film's sound design was the emotive narrative of an elderly woman reflecting on her perceived guilt in revealing the hiding place of a Jewish family to Nazi intruders. This narrative provided an emotional bridge between the past and present, enriching the storytelling through sound.
The film's multiple awards and its rating as "especially valuable" underscored the significance of our collaborative effort. Being part of such a successful project was a source of pride and a testament to the dedication invested by the entire team.
The film's visuals offered a canvas for sound designers to weave additional layers of storytelling that unfolded off-screen. Beyond the voice-over narrative, we introduced atmospheric storytelling using environmental sounds, enhancing the immersive experience for the audience.
The experience of planning and organizing projects during my time as the supervising sound designer has proven invaluable throughout my creative career. This skill set continues to guide my work on various projects.
In conclusion, my role as the supervising sound designer for My Last Concert was a journey marked by collaboration, emotional depth, and recognition. It exemplified the ability of sound to elevate storytelling and underscored the importance of effective planning and organization in creative endeavors. The film's resonance and its poignant message continue to inspire my work in the realm of sound design and storytelling.
