Today we’d like to introduce you to Yi-Chen Chiang.
Yi-Chen, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Ever since I was a child, I have been keenly attuned to the power of music to stir my emotions. I’ve noticed that my feelings can soar or plummet depending on the mood of the music. For example, whenever I listen to Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, 2nd movement, I find myself overcome with tears of emotion. Similarly, the relentless piano of Schubert’s Erlkönig always ramps up my nerves. Over time, I’ve come to see this sensitivity as a creative gift—one that I hope to use to evoke emotions in others. That’s why, at the tender age of 11, I delved into studying composition alongside my classical training.
Yet, I’ve never been content with merely emulating classical music styles. What I truly yearn for is to merge my music seamlessly with visual media, creating a harmonious blend of sight and sound that tells a compelling story. So, a few years down the line, I took a leap of faith and decided to pursue my career as a film composer in the United States, starting out in the vibrant city of Los Angeles.
During my time as a composer in the U.S., I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with a diverse array of directors and filmmakers on various projects. Last month (March 2024), I had the honor of being selected as a finalist in the Oticons Faculty International Film Scoring Competition, one of the three most important and largest film scoring competitions globally. Additionally, my compositions have garnered prestigious accolades, including the First Prize at the 2023 Caneres International Music Competition in Vienna for Composition, Best Score/Composition at the Montage Film Festival in 2023, and the esteemed Jon Vickers Film Scoring Award in 2021/2022. While receiving international recognition for my work fills me with gratitude and joy, what truly excites me is the opportunity to turn my deep-seated passion into a fulfilling career, using music as a conduit for storytelling in the captivating world of filmmaking.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I recently had the opportunity to compose the soundtrack for the short film “The Meal Plan,” a project by KAZN AM1300 Chinese Radio Station, one of the most influential Chinese radio stations in North America and a part of Multicultural Radio Broadcasting, Inc. (MRBI), one of the world’s largest Chinese media groups. This film was a collaboration with the emerging Taiwanese director Wei-Yang Chen.
“The Meal Plan” revolves around the theme of elderly care. It tells the story of an elderly man living alone who eagerly anticipates having dinner with his busy daughter, who is the supervisor of a young woman – a vibrant community administrator. The elderly man meets with the community administrator in his apartment to discuss the challenges they face. So, it is important to note that the film features three main characters: an elderly man who lives alone, a community administrator, and the administrator’s supervisor – the man’s daughter.
Director Chen proposed an innovative experiment for us to undertake. Before casting actors, he wanted me to compose three pieces of music—one for each of the main characters based on the script and my understanding of the film. These pieces would serve as leitmotifs for the characters, and he would play them during auditions to inspire the actors and elicit fresh ideas for their performances.
This approach presented a new and intriguing challenge for me, as it diverged from the conventional method where the soundtrack is composed after filming is completed. Working without visual cues, I relied solely on the script, discussions with the director, and my own interpretation of the characters to create their musical themes. Admittedly, I encountered moments of creative stagnation due to the absence of concrete imagery. However, I realized that this void offered an opportunity for my music to fill the narrative space and evoke that very imagery itself. Engaging in extensive conversations with Director Chen deepened my understanding of the film’s creative vision and thematic underpinnings, enabling me to craft themes and melodies that captured the essence of each character— their personalities, emotions, and thoughts.
I attended the casting auditions so I could see the performances play out alongside my music. The actors took to the stage one by one, initially without the accompaniment of music. Following their performances, Director Chen played the music I composed and asked the actors to perform again. It was evident that my music sparked new dimensions in their portrayals, which brought me immense satisfaction. After the auditions, one actor approached me and expressed gratitude, stating, “Thank you Yi-Chen! Your music helped me a lot!” This heartfelt acknowledgment reaffirmed my childhood aspiration to use music as a conduit for emotional expression.
Despite its challenges, this experience left a profound impression on me. I extend my gratitude to Director Wei-Yang Chen for embarking on this groundbreaking scoring experiment with me. Music, I’ve come to realize, transcends mere auditory stimulation; it serves as a vehicle for conveying intricate human emotions. Through its fusion with visual elements and performances, it intertwines to create artistic compositions imbued with narrative significance.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I would like to share my recent experience participating in a competition. The Oticons Faculty International Film Scoring Competition is recognized as one of the world’s top three major film scoring competitions. In March of this year, 166 composers from 37 countries took part in this highly competitive event. I was fortunate enough to be selected as one of the Top 20 finalists.
For one of my submissions to this competition, I endeavored to create an epic, majestic piece of music using only strings. Composing such a piece without percussion posed a challenge, but I employed extended string techniques and the powerful bass of the piano to achieve the desired effect. Another task was to compose a piece of music based on a movie script provided by the competition. Taking inspiration from the script and drawing on the experience I gained working with Wei-Yang Chen, I crafted vivid mental images by utilizing the less common alto flute to evoke a distant melody symbolizing the heroine’s leitmotif.
In addition to my involvement in film scoring projects and competitions, I also serve as a Music Editor and Audio/Video QC Specialist at Craigman Digital, an outsourcing media company third party to Warner Music Group. I collaborate with prominent artists and manage unlisted music from Warner branches worldwide on a daily basis. The diverse range of music I encounter serves as both nourishment and inspiration for my own compositions. This year, I’ve had the opportunity to engage in video upscale projects for several significant artists, including Linkin Park and Van Halen. I eagerly anticipate tackling the upcoming challenges that lie ahead!
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The journey of music creation can be solitary. Immersed in art, one may become so self-absorbed at times that clarity becomes elusive. As a composer, one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that, alongside composing music, exploring different avenues and cultivating diverse interests is crucial. A rich life experience forms the bedrock of creativity. Engaging in extensive reading and fostering connections with a variety of people enhances one’s ability to interpret scripts and collaborate effectively with directors.
Whether it’s during music editing sessions, dining out, or riding in taxis, being exposed to genres of music rarely encountered can offer valuable insights into musical harmony and progression. Melody serves as the embodiment of human emotions. By continuously accumulating experiences and remaining open to new ideas, the music I create can remain fresh and avoid stagnation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yi-chenchiang.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yi-chen-chiang-701429233/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOCdd097uAAOd3ud_sfa9aQ
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-679626272
- Other: https://vimeo.com/user167104494
Image Credits
Taka Tsubota
Jonathon Ritter
Yi-Han Huang
Wei-Yang Chen
Ian Clarke
Edmund Song
Po-Yu Tsai
