It's Nice When People Take the Time to Say Goodbye
Three siblings return to their hometown for the funeral of their beloved uncle Bernard, the life and soul of the party. While paying their respects, they have one simple aim - to get through the day without any mention of their estranged mother and her betrayal of aunt Aggie and the family.
Harmonizing Emotions
Watch it on BBC iPlayer
Composing for this project involved close collaboration with the Director and Music Coordinator to subtly enhance the characters' emotional journey from sorrow to hopeful redemption. I chose a delicate, humanized sound palette that blends with the film’s audio, focusing on atmosphere over distinct rhythms to support the narrative without overpowering it.
Bloom
At the Bloom Festival, Dandy nervously prepares to showcase her designs when she realizes she made a mistake in modifying her dress. However, a chance encounter with a top stylist's small but meaningful gesture inspires her to find her true style and become the designer she was meant to be.
From Melancholy to Triumph
Composing for the Bloom Festival required capturing its grandeur and Dandy's personal journey. An orchestral score used sweeping strings and woodwinds for the festival's majesty, with delicate piano and strings highlighting Dandy's emotions. The music balanced story needs with a powerful, immersive experience.
Koi Girl
"Koi Girl" is a short film about a young girl with Vitiligo who escapes reality while living in a care center, fixated on the Koi fish outside her window. It's entered in the "SCAD Challenge" and similar scholarship contests.
Harmonizing Emotion: The Score Behind Koi Girl
Composing for Koi Girl was a unique challenge, blending light, whimsical melodies to capture a Vitiligo-affected girl's innocence and hope with ethereal, ambient sounds reflecting her emotional struggles. Minimalist, subdued arrangements highlighted her vulnerability. The animation is on hold, but the music is complete.
Ring of Roses
In the film, a matador faces a tense showdown with a fierce bull, initially aggressive due to a chip. After a critical moment, the chip malfunctions, making the bull suddenly vulnerable. The matador must then decide the bull’s fate, challenging his values and the spectacle’s tradition.
Rumba from A Future Time
Composing the "Ring of Roses" soundtrack was challenging, blending flamenco and sci-fi to reflect a bull creature's energy within two weeks. The score combines flamenco's intensity with sci-fi's ethereal feel, using rhythmic patterns for tension and softer tones for introspection. This blend enhances the narrative, creating an immersive experience. Short version showcased, full version coming soon.
Project by Alex Velez
NOTES
Elementary school teacher Mrs. Helen enforces silent sustained reading time but the school children have their own plans by passing around a note of paper and jumping into the world of books to escape their teacher!
Surpassing expectations
Notes, a work-in-progress short film, transforms a simple children's story into a deep, emotional experience. Its music evolves from playful cartoon tunes to a profound soundtrack that resonates with adults and highlights the story’s moral themes. With two awards for the script, the musical direction will shift to a serious tone featuring full orchestral arrangements by live musicians, aiming to set new quality standards akin to classics like Winnie the Pooh and The Land Before Time.
Stay tuned for more updates on Notes.
By Alysha Nunez
Star Wars Loacher Application
I submitted a demo to Loacher Films, known for sci-fi game animations like Star Wars and Halo, aiming to showcase my ability to blend John Williams' style into Star Wars compositions.
Following the Steps of Giants
Using orchestral elements, I crafted a score to complement the visuals and immerse the viewer. The music shifts to suspense and drama to heighten tension and create a memorable ending. My demo showcases my ability to compose impactful music that enhances visual media and leaves a lasting impression.