Kaline Music is the talent behind the score and theme song for the award-winning film, Breath of Life. Recognized as the composer for the AMVCA 2024 Best Film, Breath of Life, she is rapidly making a name for herself in Nollywood, demonstrating her exceptional skill and attention to detail.
In an interview with Pulse Nigeria, Kaline discussed her creative journey, process, and her extensive portfolio, which includes acclaimed projects like the web series Men’s Club and King Woman, as well as feature films such as Wedding Party 2, Flower Girl, Eyimofe, and Royal Hibiscus Hotel.
However, it is her work on Breath of Life that has launched her into the limelight, where she composed the theme, wrote the score, and curated the soundtrack. Throughout our conversation, her deep passion for music and storytelling emerged as the driving force behind her success.
She shared her insights into the creative process, the challenges of composing across genres, and how she crafted the soundscape for Breath of Life. Can you walk us through your process of composing music for a film?Every project is unique, and directors have their own distinct styles.
My process varies depending on who I’m collaborating with. Generally, it starts with a meeting with the director to discuss their vision and what they imagine the soundscape to be. If they have reference tracks, that’s incredibly helpful for me as a composer. It can be challenging to interpret a director’s idea if they’re uncertain about it themselves. After gathering references, we have a spotting session, where we watch the film together to identify where music fits. We discuss character themes, instrumentation, and then I create a temporary score to give the director a sense of what it could sound like.
From there, we begin the actual scoring, allowing the director to hear the music frequently throughout the process. What is the most challenging aspect of composing music for film, and how long does it typically take? In this region, post-production often feels rushed, but we adapt to the timelines provided. It’s crucial for me that the director has a clear vision, as this minimizes back-and-forth revisions. I strive to deliver quickly to ensure the film doesn’t miss festival submission deadlines. What do you think makes a film soundtrack memorable or iconic?
A soundtrack becomes memorable when it aligns the emotions felt on screen with the sounds or lyrics of the music. Using lyrics to deepen the unspoken aspects of the dialogue elevates the experience. My professor always said that if the audience doesn’t remember the music, you’ve excelled as a composer.
This means that the music should enhance the storytelling, not overshadow it. What is your proudest moment regarding your musical contributions to film? That would definitely be Breath of Life, especially since it won Best Films. It feels like a significant milestone for me. Winning the AMVCA for Best Soundtrack is an incredible achievement. What does this recognition mean to you? I’m thrilled that people are appreciating good storytelling. When I read the script for Breath of Life, I found it remarkable, particularly the exploration of the father-son dynamic, which isn’t often discussed.
Additionally, I felt immense pride when my concerns about the omission of the music composer category for the AMVCA were heard and addressed. It inspired me to encourage other composers to keep pursuing their passion, as change is possible in the industry. Recognition like this paves the way for better budgets and resources for high-caliber scoring. What are your future goals and are there any upcoming projects we should look forward to? I would love to work on a horror film and dream of collaborating with figures like Kunle Afolayan, Disney, and Marvel.
What advice would you give to aspiring sound designers and music composers? Create your own opportunities. I found success by actively pursuing my passion in film and performance until other opportunities came my way. My involvement in Breath of Life came about because I was consistently creating and engaging with the community. By organizing my own events and collaborations, I opened doors for myself. For aspiring composers, this also means sharing your music online and continuing to build your connections.
Story by Obaapa Janee
