Meet the composer of the music for ‘The Journey of Cooking’ – Xuening Ha, also known as Blue. From China, Blue is pursuing a Master of Fine Arts (Creative Practices).

More from Blue about her experience on ‘The Journey of Cooking’

What was the most challenging element?

In this project, I wasn’t just composing the music, I was also doing the sound effects. Though I had learned some sound production skills during my MFA as a student in the composition field, sound effects were not my strong point. Fortunately, with the support from my teachers and classmates, I was able to complete the whole project. Despite the stress and pressure, it was incredibly rewarding to create a work together with the students of the Master in Design Technology programme who participated in the project.

What was the most fun part?

Recording foley [recorded sound effects after the shooting of a film] was fun. The director, Echo Sun, and I found various ways to make the characters' footsteps sound distinct from human ones. After several attempts, Echo came up with the creative idea of attaching cans to the soles of shoes to produce a metallic sound. It turned out to be both adorable and wonderfully odd!

Which moment of the film is your favourite?

My favourite moment in the film is when Monica finds out that a mouldy apple has sprouted an edible plant. This discovery is a pivotal moment that dramatically transforms Monica and Rusty’s lives. No longer burdened by the fear of scarcity, they use these mouldy fruits to open their own restaurant, vastly improving their situation. In my music composition, I mirrored this transformation by shifting from a tone of despair to one of hope, clearly highlighting their emotional journey.

What advice would you give to others learning to make music for film?

I believe that anyone learning film music [scores] should be involved in as many practical projects as possible and take every opportunity to create a score. This approach allows learners to accumulate experience and enhance their skills. Also, it's important to learn how to collaborate within a team. The creation of film score is not only the result of individual effort; it often emerges from team collaboration. This type of cooperation teaches learners how to blend their vision with the ideas of others, capturing more details and integrating diverse perspectives. My message to international students is “Don't worry if you can't always express yourself perfectly in English. Music is a universal language and is understood by everyone!”

 So… What’s next for you?

I want to find a job related to my major and to continue composing music for films.

Keen to find out more, or get in touch with Blue? You can find her here:

This film is part of the Miramar Creative Centre graduate showcase which celebrates Aotearoa New Zealand's film, music, and visual effects talent. Find out more here.