Interview with Ece Muniroglu, composer of the short film ‘Hey, Alexa’

Hi Ece! Huge congratulations on winning ‘Best Soundtrack’ for the short film ‘Hey, Alexa’. Could you tell us more about your project?

Thank you so much! It is truly an honor to receive such a prestigious award for my score on the short film ‘Hey Alexa’. The film revolves around the human version of Alexa, exploring various facets of her character, including her friendly and helpful nature, as well as her vulnerabilities. In creating the musical score, my aim was to capture the essence of her character and portray it through a diverse range of emotions. The music is both lively and expressive, showcasing the various dimensions of her personality. I found it particularly exciting to score the different emotions of the film.

Tell us a bit about your background. When did you decide you wanted to work in the film industry?

I am a Los Angeles-based composer and performer. I have been creating scores for film, television, and video games, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have a career that allows me to give voice to stories through my music. Over the course of my career, I have worked on a wide range of projects, from dramas and thrillers to animated TV series. Some of my project highlights include composing music for 52 episodes of the animated children’s show “Fafa”, and “A Deadly View,” co-scored with Emir Isilay. I have also written additional music for several Lifetime movies, such as Killer Profile, Secrets on Campus, A Dangerous Defense, and many more.

Music has been a passion of mine ever since I was young and film music has always held a special place in my heart. I grew up surrounded by music and was drawn to the emotive power it had to complement visual storytelling. It wasn’t until I enrolled in Berklee College of Music that I realized my passion could become my career. It was there that I truly believed that I had what it takes to make a career out of it.

The composer Ece Muniroglu and the official poster of ‘Hey, Alexa’

What did you enjoy the most about working this film?

I loved getting to know the human version of Alexa. Throughout the film, we see her in various modes, and I enjoyed the opportunity to delve into the nuances of each one. However, my favorite moment had to be the scenes with grampa. As soon as I heard his voice, I knew I wanted to create a score that conveyed the warmth and loneliness that he was feeling. It was a challenging but rewarding experience to craft the score that captured the emotions of the moment.

Can you tell us more about the team and cast involved in the production? How was working with them? How did you meet the director Rebecca Demeter and the producer Xochi Blymyer?

I was introduced to the director, Rebecca, through a chance meeting at a friend’s birthday party for her Golden Retriever – a true coincidence that led to this amazing opportunity! Throughout the project, I collaborated closely with Rebecca and our producer/writer Xochi. We worked together to create a style of music that would enhance the narrative and bring the characters to life. It was a true team effort, and I loved working with both!

What keeps you inspired to continue working as a composer?

As a composer, I am constantly inspired by the power of music to convey emotion and tell stories. It requires a deep understanding of the story and characters, as well as empathy for their experiences. I feel incredibly privileged to be able to contribute to the storytelling process in this way. I also love the technical side of composing, where I am always learning and exploring new tools and techniques. It’s a dynamic profession that constantly challenges me.

Do you have a dream project or someone you would like to work with one day?

I’m always looking for new and exciting projects to work on. One of my dream projects would be to work on a large-scale sci-fi/fantasy/adventure feature film, or an animated project. I’m constantly inspired by the incredible worlds and universes that filmmakers and animators bring to life.

What’s the best piece of advice that was ever given to you? And what’s the best advice you would give to a student composer?

While it may sound cliché, I’ve found that the advice “to keep writing no matter what” has been powerful for me. It’s important not to let the lows dictate your future, and to always remember that this is a journey. My advice to student composers would be to have a long-term vision, but to also stay focused on the next step. Never stop learning and exploring new techniques and ideas and be open to feedback and critique.

What’s next for you? What are you working on now?

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.

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