By: Maria Williams

We chatted with Shaochen Cai, Composer of award-winning short film ‘Free’, Audio Engineer behind ‘No Longer Human’, Producer of multiple bands and artists, about short film composing, musical theater and his journey.

Q. What does your composing approach look like for a short film like ‘Free’? 

Free is a short film that delves into relationships and difficult decisions. I aimed to explore the protagonist’s inner conflict, focusing on the emotional weight she carries without relying heavily on dialogue. Her outward calm contrasts with the turmoil beneath, and the music reflects this, using repetitive melodies and ambient sounds to guide the film’s pace. The score also conveys the tension and dissonance around Tom, whose conservative nature creates a love that feels restrictive and burdened.

Q. Talk about the musical theater market in Asia; ‘No Longer Human’ sold 9 million yuan (more than 1 million USD) during its first tour. Did your team expect that?

The production company put a lot of effort into local marketing and promotions. I can’t say if they expected that outcome, but the music team – the composer, the orchestrator, and us engineers did not expect it to be selling this much. Musical theater is a growing new thing for the market, much like the growth of rock music after Covid – people now crave the organic experience from live music and acting, maybe audiences are getting tired of the screens.

Q. Talk about your music journey so far.

I started out in classical music training and playing guitars. I played in bands and had fun rocking out. Then, I got into working on films, commercials, and musical theater. And here we are. A ton of musicians share the same path, I’ve realized that I’m more of a studio person than a gigging performer.

Q. What are your thoughts on digital platforms? How does that change or challenge your work?

Digital platforms offer artists an excellent space to showcase their work and engage with audiences. I’ve noticed that both artists and clients are increasingly aware of trends, and the competition is growing. To stay creative and relevant in such a dynamic industry, I’ve expanded my work across various mediums, including film, musical theater, and different music projects. By exploring diverse genres and styles with each project, I’ve been able to keep my creativity fresh and adaptable.

Shaochen Cai’s Storytelling through Music Composition

Shaochen Cai’s approach to composing is deeply rooted in storytelling, particularly when it comes to projects like short films and musical theater. Drawing from his classical music training and experience across various mediums, Cai crafts scores that not only complement but elevate the narratives they accompany. For the award-winning short film Free, for instance, he used repetitive melodies and ambient sounds to mirror the protagonist’s internal struggles, creating a musical landscape that captures the tension and emotional weight without relying heavily on dialogue. Similarly, in his work on the musical No Longer Human, which achieved significant commercial success, Cai’s thoughtful composition contributed to a live experience that resonated with audiences. His ability to blend music seamlessly with the emotional arcs of his projects showcases his versatility and adaptability as a composer in an evolving industry.

Published by: Martin De Juan