Jon Stojan
In film, it is often said that the image is the food for the viewer’s eyes, while sound touches the soul. Thomas Wu, an Audio Engineer and Sound Designer with experience all over the world, understands firsthand how crucial sound is in amplifying emotions and deepening the viewer’s experience.
With a rich background in music, a trained ear, and experience on film sets worldwide, Wu has a unique perspective on how sound can define the heart and soul of a film.
Working together with legends within the industry
If Thomas has to define a key moment in his career, it would definitely be his collaboration with Ray Angry, the highly talented pianist and keyboardist of The Roots. Together they worked on the score for a documentary directed by the award-winning filmmaker George T. Nierenberg. All sessions took place in Ray’s basement studio, and it was here that Thomas witnessed firsthand how Angry transformed raw musical ideas into emotionally impactful, story-driven motifs.
In his close collaboration with Ray, Thomas was mainly impressed by how he approached the materials provided to him. Ray was able to shape them into music that complemented the visuals and added a deeper emotional resonance to the film. By watching Ray write in real time, Thomas learned how musical ideas could evolve and be adapted to match the director’s vision.
Thomas played a key technical role in these sessions, resolving any difficulties during the creative process. He was also present to help communicate with Ray, the director, and to help with any technical challenges for the recording session in the Grammy-winning studio Electric Garden in Brooklyn. This experience taught Thomas not just about the technical aspects of audio work but also about how crucial music is in enhancing a film’s emotional and narrative impact.
The power of sound in projects like I, Chinese
One of the most personal and meaningful projects for Thomas was I, Chinese, a film he was deeply involved in, both as assistant director, editor and sound designer. Even though the script was not Thomas’ own, he still felt connected to the story and the message of the film. Through this project, he learned the importance of believing in a story, even if you are not the writer.
The sound design of this film played a crucial role in emphasizing the emotional layers of the story. The impact of his work was recognized internationally, with awards such as the Director’s Guild of America’s Asian American Film Jury Award and selections at festivals such as the Durban International Film Festival in South Africa and the Asian American International Film Festival.
Through this project Thomas learned how sound can elevate a film by amplifying emotions that are difficult to convey visually.
The unique challenge of When the Sky Falls
In the project When the Sky Falls, an animated film based on Chinese mythology, Thomas was given the opportunity to fully utilize his creativity in sound design. The challenge was to create sounds for creatures and environments that only exist in the imagination, such as the sounds of a mythical dragon.
To enhance the atmosphere of the setting, he used Tibetan bells and other acoustic elements to create a rich, mystical environment. Here he learned how sound can bring a fantasy world to life and immerse the audience fully in the experience.
Sounds of the world: Salt in Soil
His most recent project, Salt in Soil, took Thomas to Japan. He was responsible for the location sound recording and the sound design. This project was particularly challenging because Thomas had to bring his entire sound recording kit to Japan just so he could capture the unique sounds of the countryside. The sound of cicadas on a hot summer day, the chirping of birds, and the powerful passage of the shinkansen were crucial for the authenticity of the film.
This project showcases Thomas’ dedication to capturing sounds that go beyond the surface, sounds that help convey the unique atmosphere of a place and thus contribute to the storyline.
The future of music and sound design in film
With his work on international film sets and collaborations with some of the biggest names in the music and film industry, Thomas Wu believes that music and sound design are essential to powerful storytelling. He sees sound as the invisible narrator that helps the viewer fully immerse themselves in the story.
His goal is to open his own post-production studio, where he can continue to focus on projects that challenge and inspire him. For Thomas, it is clear that the future of film is not just about what you see, but also about what you hear – and how those sounds can bring a story to life.