Short Film
Original Score and Production
Project Details
I collaborated on a short film written and directed by Gabe Heckel.
In Departure, a troubled man tries to make sense of recurring dreams about a boy he’s never known. However, after an unexpected visit, he learns a powerful truth that will change his life forever.
I assembled the final edit of the film and executed multiple visual FX shots. I managed all aspects of sound throughout principle photography and post-production, including composing the original score. I also designed the print and digital promotional items.
My Contributions
Sound Engineering
Sound Design & Mixing
Musical Composition
Visual Effects
Film Editing
Graphic Design
Composition & Layout
Tools Used
Condenser Microphones
Zoom H6 Recorder
After Effects (Mocha)
Final Cut Pro
Logic Pro X
Photoshop
InDesign
Outcomes
Raleigh Film Festival 2021 Official Selection
2021 International Strasburg Film Festival Official Selection
Alexandria Film Festival 2021 Official Selection
Sound Engineering
I ran sound on set during principal photography. I consulted the production team on sound equipment for the shoot. We relied on condenser microphones—particularly Rode mics due to their sensitivity and even frequency response.
I utilized a Rode NTG-2 shotgun mic for primary filming, a Rode NT1A mic for voiceovers, and a Zoom SSH-6 Shotgun Mic for additional sound textures. A Zoom H6 served as our on-set recorder.
Sound Design & Mixing
As the primary resource for sound on the film, I also developed the sound design with synthesizer effects, custom recorded foley (environmental sounds), and stock audio. I mixed all sound in my personal studio over KRK Rokit5 monitors and Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro headphones.
Music Composition
Creating the music for the short film was yet another challenging aspect of this production, as our team was committed to not using stock music tracks. I wrote an original score for the entire short film using Logic Pro X, which consisted of calming piano motifs and ambient tones to reflect the somber and cerebral themes of the story. I wrote, performed, and edited all aspects of the music.
Graphic Design
Once the final cut was complete I also designed the official poster and media kit.
VFX & Editing
During post-production, I created two of the visual effect shots in the film. For the first shot, I used planar tracking with the Mocha plugin in After Effects to give the illusion of photos changing within their frames. For the second shot, I hid a transition between two separate shots to give the appearance of a character appearing twice in the same environment.
The film’s director built the first cut of the film in Final Cut Pro. I then came in to finish editing the subsequent iterations and final cut of the film.
Final Film
Watch the final short film “Departure” below.