ITV_ECE_MUNIROGLU

THE INTERVIEW

May 21, 2023

ECE MUNIROGLU

MUSIC COMPOSER OF HEY ALEXA

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE HONORABLE MENTION

Ece, tell us a little more about yourself. Where did your desire to be a composer come from? What is your background ?

I am a Los Angeles-based composer and performer, and I have been fortunate enough to build a career creating scores for film, television, and video games. With a passion for music that dates back to my childhood, I have always been drawn to the emotive power of film music and its ability to complement visual storytelling.

It wasn’t until I enrolled at Berklee College of Music that I realized my passion could become my career, and I have been creating music for a wide range of projects ever since. From dramas and thrillers to animated TV series, I have had the opportunity to give voice to stories through my music, including highlights such as co-scoring for the animated children’s show “Fafa” and the thriller “A Deadly View” with Emir Isilay.

Additionally, I have written additional music for several Lifetime movies, including “Killer Profile,” “Secrets on Campus,” and “A Dangerous Defense,” among others.

Can you tell us about Hey Alexa ?

The film revolves around the human version of Alexa and I was thrilled to create the musical score as it allowed me to capture the diverse range of emotions depicted in the film.
From the character’s friendly and helpful nature to her vulnerabilities, I aimed to portray the essence of her personality through lively and expressive music.

I realized my passion could become my career, and I have been creating music for a wide range of projects ever since.

How did you end up on the project ?

Rebecca, the director of the project, initially reached out to me and introduced me to Xochi, the writer and producer. They shared the script with me, and after reading it, I was immediately drawn to the project and excited about the opportunity to collaborate.

What was your relationship with the director, and your working method ?

Prior to working on Hey Alexa, I had previously scored a short film for director Rebecca, so we were already familiar with each other and had a good working relationship. We began the process by selecting some temp music and then had a spotting session. From there, our collaboration was very smooth, and we were able to work together seamlessly to create the score for the film.

In the film your music is very joyful, and at the same time emotional. What were your musical influences for the project?

That’s a great question! For this project, I aimed to create a clear distinction between the joyful and emotional aspects of the music. In order to achieve this contrast, I focused on the power of instrumentation.
For example, for Alexa’s theme, I focused on creating a more upbeat and lively sound with double bass, some percussion, etc. In contrast, for Grampa’s theme, I used long and warm strings.

You won an honorable mention at the RED MOVIE AWARDS for the Original Score. What does it represent for you ?

Receiving an honorable mention at the RED MOVIE AWARDS for the Original Score was truly an honor!
I am deeply grateful to everyone who supported us on this journey, and this recognition inspires me to continue creating and writing more and more! I hope to inspire other aspiring composers to follow their dreams and pursue their passion for music.

I aimed to create a clear distinction between the joyful and emotional aspects of the music. In order to achieve this contrast, I focused on the power of instrumentation.

Did you have the chance to record with a real orchestra?

No, we didn’t have the opportunity to record with a real orchestra for this project.

What do you think today of the production of short films which often make music by computer, for budget concerns? Isn’t it too frustrating for a composer ?

While there is no substitute for the sound of a real orchestra, I believe that technology has advanced to the point where it is possible to create high-quality music using computer softwares. I think it’s important to embrace the advancements in technology and push the limits of creativity. Additionally, creating music using software can be more cost-effective and accessible, making it easier for filmmakers with smaller budgets to have original music for their films.

creating music using software can be more cost-effective and accessible, making it easier for filmmakers with smaller budgets to have original music for their films.

Can you tell us about your career and the different compositions that you have been able to do, for the cinema but also perhaps for commercials or clips ?

Sure! I have had the pleasure of working on a diverse range of projects throughout my career. Some of the projects I have worked on include thrillers, dramas, animated series, and video games. As a media composer, it is important to have the skills and flexibility to work on different types of projects and adjust to their unique requirements.

What’s your next project ?

I am currently working on several exciting projects. I am co-scoring an upcoming 39-episode early childhood animated series, which has been a great opportunity for me to create music that will engage and inspire young viewers. Additionally, I am working on a 5-episode animated web series.