Kill Your Darlings

Kill Your Darlings follows a young girl with a heart condition as she battles for identity, independence, and self-acceptance.

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Client: Independent Filmmaker
Project Title: Kill Your Darlings

Objective:
Kill Your Darlings is a short animation that follows a young girl with a heart condition, exploring her internal struggle for identity and independence. Through stylized visuals and an emotionally driven narrative, the film conveys themes of vulnerability, resilience, and self-discovery. The sound design and music were integral in shaping the character’s emotional journey, enhancing the tension between her physical fragility and her determination to break free from societal and personal constraints.

Music Integration:
The music underscored the emotional highs and lows of the protagonist’s journey. We composed a delicate, minimalist score featuring a combination of piano and strings, conveying her vulnerability and inner strength. Melancholic motifs accompanied scenes of self-doubt, while brighter, more uplifting themes reflected her moments of triumph and self-realization.

Transitions in the music were carefully timed to align with the character’s emotional shifts, enhancing the narrative’s pacing and impact. The score played a subtle yet crucial role, blending seamlessly with the animation’s visual rhythm and providing a consistent emotional thread throughout the film.

Music Editing and Mixing:
The music was edited to flow naturally between scenes, supporting the story’s progression without drawing focus away from the dialogue or sound design. Reverb and subtle layering effects enhanced the music’s depth, creating an immersive experience. Foley sounds—like the rustling of fabric, soft footsteps, and the rhythmic beat of the protagonist’s heartbeat—were carefully balanced against the music and voiceover (VO). This ensured the emotional and narrative elements remained cohesive and impactful.

Sound Design Approach:
The sound design was vital in conveying the protagonist’s inner world and the fragility of her condition. The rhythmic sound of her heartbeat was a recurring motif, growing louder and faster during moments of stress or fear, symbolizing her physical and emotional struggle. We used subtle ambient sounds, such as the hum of medical equipment and the distant murmur of a city, to ground her story in a recognizable yet dreamlike world.

For scenes of introspection or inner conflict, we incorporated abstract soundscapes—ethereal tones, layered whispers, and gentle pulses—to reflect her mental state. These elements shifted in intensity to mirror her growing confidence and determination, adding depth to her personal journey.

In moments of tension, such as when she faced physical limitations or emotional setbacks, we used sharp, dissonant sounds to heighten the drama. These contrasted with the soft, warm tones used in scenes of connection or self-acceptance, creating a dynamic and engaging auditory experience.

Tone and Style:
The tone of the sound design was intimate, reflective, and emotionally resonant. Every sound, from the gentle hum of her surroundings to the powerful rhythm of her heartbeat, was designed to enhance the protagonist’s journey and immerse the audience in her world. The combination of music and sound design created a rich, layered experience that reflected the film’s themes of vulnerability, growth, and independence.

Technical Delivery:

Delivered in both stereo and 5.1 surround sound formats, optimized for festival screenings and digital platforms.
Mixed to meet cinematic loudness standards, ensuring clarity and balance between dialogue, music, and sound effects.

Timeline:

First sound pass: 11/04/2024
Final mix and approval: 13/05/2024

We are a post-production sound company specialising in high-quality audio for commercials, TV and film.

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