Category: Collab

The final project title shown in the video is Pearls Against the Wall. Although the project was first discussed through pearls and clams as metaphors, the final title clarified the work’s relationship with pressure, containment and resistance. The final outcome became a projection animation shown in the CSM theatre space. I documented the final work…

After sending my first audio demo, I realised that the sound was not only functioning as support for the animation. The group’s final animation seemed to develop around the pacing, atmosphere and emotional rhythm of my audio. This changed how I understood my role in the collaboration. At first, I expected to create sound in…

After creating the first sound version, I sent a 1:32 demo to the group. I explained that everything was still flexible, including sound effects, timing and placement. This was important because I wanted the demo to open up conversation rather than present a fixed final soundtrack. Cindy responded that the main elements were included and…

Pearl and clam sounds were more difficult than ocean sounds because they do not have a clear natural sound identity. Instead of trying to make a realistic pearl sound, I treated pearls and clams as symbolic materials. They suggested fragility, protection, enclosure and hidden emotional pressure. The group asked for pearl and ocean sound effects,…

The ocean was one of the first sound materials I tested. I used real ocean recordings because I wanted to keep a physical connection to water and space. The real wave sample immediately created atmosphere and connected clearly to the Ophelia and sea references in the project. However, I did not want the ocean to…

Through the group conversation, I understood that Pearls Against the Wall was not completely based on a clear linear story. Cindy explained that atmosphere was more important, and that the music and sound needed to follow the emotional direction of the piece. This was important because it changed my role from simply adding sound effects…

The visual direction became clearer through the group’s Miro board and WhatsApp discussions. The references included Belladonna of Sadness, hand-drawn animation, character design and pearl-related costume imagery. These references showed me that the work would not be realistic or fast-paced. Instead, it would be emotional, symbolic and atmosphere-driven. One important thing Cindy explained was that…

For this collaboration, I worked on Pearls Against the Wall, a projection animation project by Cindy, Mariam and Ming from CSM PDP for We See We Move. The project was initially developed through the motifs of pearls and clams, with references to Ophelia, perception and identity. My role as a Sound Arts student was to create…