When a TV drama or movie is staged, the audience will only pay attention to the performance of the hero and heroine, and often ignore a group of "men behind the scenes".
Chen Xiang, who was born in sound design at the Academy of Performing Arts, became a multi-dimensional behind-the-scenes staff member as soon as he stepped out of the society. He successively worked as a sound engineer in the theater industry, film, TV circle, school circle, and YouTube channel, the founder of the theater company, and the host of American drama critics. In one year, he composed music for 18 TV dramas, including "Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace" and "Shang Shi", which had been broadcast in Hong Kong. "You won't be tied up with a contract to make a soundtrack. Of course, the salary is better than that of an actor. The only advantage is more. The more you earn, the more you survive the epidemic.” With the interactive experience of Netflix’s sci-fi series “Black Mirror” and the rise of mobile phone watching, the collaboration of soundtrack musicians will be more needed in the future, and job opportunities will only increase.
"The entertainment business is always necessary for human beings, and it is only about some development."
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Before graduating, he was a blockbuster and nominated for the Hong Kong Drama Awards twice
"A good drama can't rely on the screen alone, and the soundtrack must be excellent, otherwise it won't touch the audience, just like a wingback assisting a striker on a football field." The sound engineer in front of him, Chen Xiang, put on pink flowers. The shirt and shorts and sneakers were interviewed, dressed casually, but spoke clearly and straightforwardly.
"The outside world has always misunderstood that the people behind the scenes are a group of people who wear black shirts and bow their heads. They don't pay attention to the audience or the people around them. It's like an otaku who is doing it for himself. In fact, it's not like that." He half-jokingly said.
On the contrary, Chen Xiang, who says he loves "gossip" and pays attention to everything around him, was exposed to musicals and stage plays during a summer school, and it was unforgettable. By the end of 2012, the students of the Academy of Performing Arts released their graduation work "The Scholar and the Executioner", and Chen Xiang was appointed to compose and design the sound. "When I was studying, I already liked the combination of Chinese and Western music. Entering R&B, it is similar to Jay Chou or Leehom Wang’s Chinese style, and I found that the effect is very good. The original complete set is very serious, but after mixing the sound, it becomes very funny and upbeat (relaxed and cheerful).” Chen Xiang won the 20th Hong Kong Drama Award before graduation. The nomination for the second "Best Original Song Lyrics" made him a blockbuster who was originally a blank sheet of paper.
The following year, he was nominated for the best sound design for the stage play "Electronic City" again, and job opportunities followed.
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Scored 18 TV series in one year during the high-yield period
Chen Xiang pointed out that a sound designer can develop back and forth in different fields such as TV series, radio dramas, movies, stage plays, etc., and become a multi-residential staff. He just happened to meet the take-off of the mainland entertainment industry, and he has composed music for different mobile games, movies and TV series. , including "Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace", "Shang Shi", "28 Years Old Minor" starring Ni Ni and Wang Dalu, etc., which had been broadcast in Hong Kong. During the peak period, he tried to score 18 TV series in succession within a year. However, in 2019 After the introduction of the "Ancient Limit", which strictly limited the number of costume dramas or time-travel dramas, the chances of Hong Kong people going north to work have been greatly reduced.
"I couldn't shoot a lot of subjects. The company transferred other crews, such as local dramas or anti-Japanese dramas. I gradually lost interest because it wasn't the job I wanted to do."
So he put his focus back on Hong Kong. The previous year, he founded a dance troupe, launched a series of children's plays, and promoted the cross-media art policy of "STEAM" and "Arts+Tech" combining art and science teaching. He was invited to the school to hold a stage play or workshop, but hit the new crown epidemic. As many as 60% of the activities were postponed or cancelled, and they have gradually returned to normal in the second half of this year.
More work and more work mode, "can't kill" under the epidemic
Facing waves of blows, Chen Xiang said he was a lucky group.
"You won't be tied to a contract when you make a soundtrack. Of course, the salary is better than that of an actor. The only advantage is that you get more for your work. Instead, you can survive the epidemic." He also saw the misfortune of front-line actors. After a long-term shutdown, it had to change jobs to engage in grass-roots work such as moving goods, disinfection and cleaning to make a living.
"I am most impressed by a director. I have worked with him several times. I usually work well and dignified, but to survive the epidemic as a porter, I am so sad that such a talented person has to change careers."
Interactive plot is the general trend of entertainment development
The epidemic has ordered major changes in the drama industry. Many live performances have become live online. The TV drama or film industry has also ushered in earth-shaking changes. The rise of Netflix has made more people prefer to stay at home and watch movies or series. different changes.
"Netflix's American online drama "Black Mirror" or the Discovery Channel reality TV show "Man in the Wild" have many online interactive functions. The audience can specify a route for the protagonist to bring different endings. This is a new trend in the next ten years. The soundtrack The teacher has to compose music for the endings of different joys, sorrows and sorrows, and it is simply a few times more work.”
Audiences are accustomed to wearing headphones to watch the show, and the sound effects need to be re-adjusted to achieve the best effect
Another change in watching dramas at home is that the composer needs to be more "grounded" to consider how to enhance the sound effects for the audience.
"Many online dramas will enhance the sound effects. For example, audiences are accustomed to wearing headphones to watch dramas, and the sound effects should be re-adjusted to feel the shocking effect through headphones or computer speakers. It is no longer a patent for 5.1 or 7.1 loopback stereo users. . ” He estimates that the future opportunities for music composers to work and develop will only increase.
"The entertainment business is always necessary for human beings, such as TV dramas. It is only about developing the future in what form. The front line is led by actors. We will assist the actors to enter the wave. Later, we will check whether the quality of the soundtrack of the drama is good, so as to achieve a matching effect."
The Hong Kong Association of Stage Technicians and Designers hosted the Science and Arts Festival for the first time this year. The "people behind" 16 stage plays were paired into 6 groups. Through a series of workshops and experimental exchanges, the different possibilities of Hong Kong's science and art were discussed together. With their rich behind-the-scenes stage experience, everyone compiled new short stories to showcase their research and creative achievements.
In addition to science and art demonstrations, an exhibition will be set up to record the creative and experimental process of the team, allowing the audience to peek into the unknown side of the theater's creations. The exhibition will be held from July 16 to 24 at the Free Space Big Box, Art Park, West Kowloon Cultural District. Interested parties can visit the official website for details.
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