We are thrilled to sit down with Jasper Ku, a Taiwanese composer based in Los Angeles, whose classically trained prowess in piano and composition has made waves across multiple artistic genres.
Jasper's work on the short dance film "A Red Rose for My Love" recently garnered significant acclaim, winning Best Original Score at Festigious and Top Shorts.
Beyond composing, Jasper produced, co-directed, and performed as a dancer in this poignant tale of unrequited love, set against a minimalist white studio backdrop.
Today, we delve into Jasper's creative process, his inspirations, and the journey that led to these prestigious accolades.
Jasper, it's great to have you with us today! Can you tell us about your early childhood in Taiwan and how it influenced your musical journey?
Thank you for having me! I spent my early childhood dabbling in dance lessons, piano lessons, school plays, etc. Though I wasn’t actively pursuing music, exploring different forms of artistic expression shaped my understanding of storytelling which I apply to music.
When did you first start learning piano and composition, and who were your early musical influences?
I started piano lessons when I was seven, and I started composition lessons in my first year in college. I fell in love with Rachmaninoff after playing his music on the piano, and I fell in love with both Alexandre Desplat and Hans Zimmer after watching movies they scored.
What made you fall in love with film scoring specifically? Was there a particular moment or experience that inspired you?
When I watched the live version of The Lion King with my friends at DisneyLand, I cried after the music started. That made me want to pursue film scoring, to write music that enhances the stories we see and move us deeply.
How did your classical training in piano and composition shape your approach to film scoring?
Training in piano gave my melodies a smoother flow. Training in composition helped me analyze and emulate different composers’ styles, elements of which I incorporate into my own film scores.
Congratulations on winning Best Original Score at Festigious and Top Shorts! How does it feel to receive such prestigious awards?
Thank you so much! It’s a real fist-pumping moment, and it makes me really happy knowing that my music has moved other people.
What specific emotions or themes did you aim to capture with your score for "A Red Rose for My Love"?
Love unrequited, heartbreak, and solitude. Happy stuff.
How did your roles as producer and co-director influence your approach to composing the music?
As a producer, I came up with a live score recording budget, which helped me decide to record a solo piano score. As a co-director, I knew how I wanted me and my fellow dancers to portray the story on screen. Understanding of the camera movements helped fine tune my musical phrasing.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in balancing your multiple roles in this project?
Within a limited amount of time, I had to coordinate rehearsal, shooting and editing schedules, and above that I had to make sure that both my fellow dancers and my co-directors were up to speed with the choreography and shot requirements, respectively. I managed to pull it off, but it was a lot of work crammed into a short amount of time.
How did you convey the complex emotions of unrequited love through your music and choreography? And how did you ensure that the score complemented the visual and emotional tone of the film?
This film was a special case: the music came first. I wrote the score as a standalone piece on my own time, and as I listened to it more and more, my experiences of having unrequited love started coming back to me. I then created choreography inspired by actual physical interactions with me and the boy I was in love with.
How did your experience as a commercial dancer influence your work on this film?
It helped a lot, actually, because I have a lot more experience in dancing and choreographing than in producing and directing. My experience in performing(both live and in music videos) shaped my vision of how I wanted my performances to look on screen, which I communicated to my crew.
Can you share any memorable moments from the production of "A Red Rose for My Love"?
Laughter. Lots of laughter. Whether it be accidentally breaking stems in half when I only meant to snatch the tip of the rose, or getting into awkward positions with Jonathan(in scene you-know-what), I remember our fuckups just as much as our final product, if not more.
What are some of the key elements you focus on when composing music for a dance film versus other genres?
Composing for dance films isn’t that different from composing for non-dance films. Whether it be an explosion, an army march, a kiss, a pirouette, a high kick, I compose music to enhance what happens on screen, or leave music out altogether if the director and I decide that it would enhance the scene more.
How has winning the BMI/Jerry Goldsmith Film Scoring Scholarship influenced your career?
Pretty much the same as winning Best Original Score at Festigious and Top Shorts: I now have the fortunate knowledge of more pieces of my music moving more people, which is always nice. The more, the merrier.
Can you tell us about your concert piece "All The Pretty Things" and its success at the Amor Artium Music Composition Contest?
I wrote a string piece called “All The Pretty Things”, then I saw the “Amor Artium” Music Contest calling for music accompanying art. I asked my friend Michelle, a really talented artist, if she was interested in creating a piece of art illustrating my music, and she said yes. We ended up winning the Polyphonia Award for Best Counterpoint, and it went on exhibit in Oslo.
Can you tell us about your concert piece “Speak to me, Love, for I Cannot” and its success at the Cannes Sync Awards?
I was scrolling on Instagram after coming home from Pride and saw an advertisement for the Cannes Sync Awards. It called for music that would fit selected Palme d’Or Winners(Best Picture) at the Cannes Film Festival, and I’ve always loved The Piano. The deadline was in four days, so I spent a day writing the music, a day looking over it with my professor, a day recording it live in the studio, and the last day mixing, mastering, and submitting it. It ended up being nominated out of 1700+ submissions. The results were great. The schedule?(Shivers).
You're currently a student at UCLA. How has your education there influenced your work and career as a composer?
It introduced me to a lot of different composer friends, and it also trained me in all the skill sets necessary for film composing. MIDI programming, composing, orchestrating, mixing and mastering, etc.
What projects are you currently working on, and what can we expect from you in the future?
I am writing a chamber orchestra piece under the JMH Score Production Workshop to be recorded live at EastWest Studios. I am also planning on making another dance film quite similar to this one.
How do you stay inspired and motivated in your multifaceted career?
One of the perks of having multiple artistic interests is the exposure to many different forms of storytelling, and different stories inspire me in different ways. It is only natural, then, that I get inspired all the time.
What advice would you give to aspiring composers and filmmakers?
I use this to remind myself whenever I have doubts about anything I do:
“Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.” - Andy Warhol
What impact do you hope your work will have on audiences?
I want to let those dealing with the heartbreak of unrequited love feel less alone. That’s what all stories aim to achieve, at least in my opinion: to connect with audiences with similar experiences, and give them strength to face hardships in their lives.
Is there anything else you would like to share about your journey with "A Red Rose for My Love" or your career in general?
Just my many thanks to my crew for bringing my project to life, and to all the film festivals for giving this film its recognition and exposure. Thank you again for this interview as well.
Where can our readers follow your work?
Here is my composer’s website: https://www.jasperkucomposer.com/
And here is my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chayouknowwhat34/
Feel free to reach out and say hi!
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