Revered music composer Lumi Luo proves her musical talents again by receiving the nomination for the Horizon Award at the International Sound & Film Music Festival. Her work in ‘Unspoken Lines’ has captivated the Jury and Judges with its amazing representation of flute and cello, which establishes the characters and complements each other. This is not the first time, but Luo has already won multiple awards and been nominated in prestigious ceremonies. Let’s find a few words from the artist herself.
DMR: Congratulations on the ISFMF nomination. How does it feel?
Lumi Luo:When I was nominated the first time (Vita Nova) for Best Original Score, it felt unreal, but I still doubted myself. I wondered if maybe I was just lucky. However, when I was nominated the second time (Unspoken Lines) for the Horizon Award, I stopped doubting myself, and it encouraged me to keep doing what I’m doing.
DMR: Can you describe your work for the film ‘Unspoken Lines’?
Lumi Luo: It was a fantastic experience, not just because I love the film, but also because the director, Sasha Gitin, respected me, trusted me, and gave me a lot of freedom to score the film. I also got to perform the flute for my own score, and since it plays a big role in the music, I’m really happy about that. I was able to create something that truly came from my heart.
DMR: How do you prepare yourself before making each film/game score?
Lumi Luo: Communication is the most important part of my process. I always talk with the director or game developer and ask if they have any musical references they can share. Understanding the emotions they’re looking for and the style they have in mind gives me a strong starting point and helps the creative process flow much more smoothly.
DMR: Do you think you need to get into the character to make a score like acting?
Lumi Luo:It depends on the film, but for Unspoken Lines, yes. Since there isn’t conversation in the film, the music becomes the characters’ voices.
DMR: Besides the flute and piano, do you play other instruments? What’s your favorite?
Lumi Luo: I also play the dizi, and I sometimes sing in my compositions. I think every instrument is special and unique, so I can’t really say which one is my favorite. I enjoy playing them all. I also appreciate the different tones of every instrument, even the ones I don’t play, because they give me more options when creating music.
DMR: Take us through your creative process.
Lumi Luo: For film and game scoring, I talk to the directors or game developers to make sure I understand the genre and the emotions they’re looking for. I also share some of my own musical ideas to see if they’d like me to try them. So you could say that I start by finding the right feeling for the director or game developer first.
For my own compositions, I just close my eyes, calm down, and listen to myself. I think about what I’m feeling and what I want to express. Then I’ll play those ideas on the piano as a draft and start from there.
DMR: When did you develop your knack for music or film/game score in particular?
Lumi Luo: I actually don’t know. I think because I started learning the flute and piano at such a young age, music has always been a natural part of my life.
DMR: Would you like to name some creative influences?
Lumi Luo: Joe Hisaishi, John Williams, John Powell, and video game music, especially the music from The Legend of Zelda series.
DMR: What are your views on the modern music and film industry?
Lumi Luo: More filmmakers are starting to use AI and library music, and that makes me feel a little insecure. However, there are still many directors who truly appreciate original music, so I think we should focus on that and continue creating.
DMR: What tip would you give to a struggling music artist?
Lumi Luo: Keep composing, even if you’re teaching music or taking on other work to support yourself. You never know when your big opportunity will come.
DMR: Do you have a favorite among all of your compositions?
Lumi Luo: It will be on my album, which will be released next year.
DMR: Please shed some light on your upcoming projects.
Lumi Luo: I’m currently working on my album, Interbeing. Most of the track titles are inspired by elements of the Earth. It blends many different genres of music and expresses who I am as an artist. If you love film music or video game music, I think you’ll enjoy it. I’m also currently working on an indie game called Birch Tree. I’m really excited about it because I’m very happy with the drafts I’ve done so far. I’ll also be recording the flute and vocals myself.
Follow Lumi Luo: Website // Instagram // YouTube
Check Out For More News Updates on Google News
