NOMINATION FOR A SOPHIA AWARD

DECEMBER 11, 2017

I had the honor of composing the original score for the Portuguese film Casas Caiadas, directed by Kyle Sousa, which was nominated for a Sophia Award. Although the film didn’t win at the Centro Cultural de Belém ceremony, I’m proud it made it to the Top 8, especially given the tough selection process from over 80 films.

The opportunity to score Casas Caiadas came about because Kyle and I studied at the same university, the Portuguese Catholic University. Over the years, I’ve composed music for several films and even created soundtracks for TV commercials. I’m invited to work on film soundtracks or sound design projects almost every year. However, I’ve had to decline more academic projects lately due to my increasing workload.

Creating music for a film is a complex endeavor influenced by various elements. With experience, you cultivate methods that enhance the creative workflow. My process generally starts with a discovery phase—analyzing the script and conversing with the director to grasp the film’s mood, aesthetic, and narrative. This allows me to pinpoint crucial scenes where music can enhance emotional depth and audience involvement.

Once I establish a solid foundation, I seek inspiration from the film’s visuals, which guide my choice of musical genre for the score. The composition process occurs alongside the editing phase, enabling me to synchronize the music with the film’s timing and rhythm.

The most challenging aspect of my work is the creation process, where I concentrate on developing melodies, harmonies, and rhythms. The colors in the film inspire my selection of musical notes and harmonies, while the events of the story guide the tonalities I choose for each scene.

I graduated in Sound and Image from the Portuguese Catholic University and am currently pursuing a master’s degree in Sound Design. Composing for films has been an incredibly rewarding journey, and I look forward to contributing to more projects in the future.