Former Noroff student is the film composer for the family film 'Birk & Magna - Gruvens Mørke Hemmelighet': - It feels completely surreal!
On June 9th, the Norwegian film 'Birk & Magna - Gruvens Mørke Hemmelighet' premiered in theaters across the country. Tom André Hellesund (31), who previously studied sound and music production in Bergen, is the music composer for the film.
– It feels completely surreal! I'm not sure if I fully understand that it's actually happening. This is a project that has meant incredibly much for me to be a part of, with people I love to collaborate with, and with a sound and music universe I have fallen in love with myself. The fact that my music is now in cinemas across the country is difficult to grasp, says the former Noroff student..
Inspired by the Western Norwegian Summer
The film is based on an original script written by Christer Steffensen (director) and Sivert Kalvø Harang (producer). The plot is deeply inspired by memories they all share from the Western Norwegian summer when they were younger. Tom André knows the director-producer duo well from his student days and has closely followed the film since filming took place in the summer of 2020.
– I was also part of the sound team during filming, and already on set, we started discussing the film's emotional expression and music references. We talked a lot about the feeling of warm summer days, playing in the forest, and especially the classic action-adventures we remember from when we were that age.
Tom André has worked very closely with the director and producer all the way, and they had an early idea of using only their music. They wanted to ensure a completely unique identity for the film from the very beginning, which wouldn’t rely too much on other people's work. He says that the process of composing music for the film has been incredibly liberating musically, but practically, it has also been challenging at times.
– Fortunately, I have a sense for working under pressure. It requires a lot, but it's an incredibly satisfying feeling when you reach your goal! Tighter constraints can also be incredibly stimulating for creativity from my experience.
– I also had the great honor of making a new recording of 'Vårsøg' with Karianna Sommerro as the vocalist. Karianna is the daughter of Henning Sommerro, who composed the melody, and has an incredibly beautiful and storytelling expression that suited the film perfectly, says the film composer.
The entire soundtrack for the film, with just over an hour of original music, is composed, recorded, and produced in Tom André's own home studio.
The fact that my music is now in cinemas across the country is difficult to grasp.Tom André Hellesund
📷 Photo: Synne Hellesund Stokland
Passion Started at Noroff
Before Tom André started at Noroff, he had played in a band and wanted to pursue a performing direction in music, but this changed when he started his studies.
– Almost all the music I've made since has had an element of sound design and synthesizer programming in it. Understanding the fundamental building blocks in sound design and how a synth can be almost anything opened many doors for me creatively. When you've designed the actual instrument you're playing, nobody can say you're doing it wrong.
He continues:
– It was also at Noroff where I first got to experiment with music for films, and there's no doubt that's where the passion started.
After two years at Noroff, he extended his studies with a third year in Cardiff and earned a bachelor's degree in Music Technology. He specialized in subjects like Advanced Synthesis, Composition for Media, and Music Production. You can read more about exchange opportunities here.
– What do you miss the most from your time at Noroff?
– This is easy to answer. It's the creative freedom I miss the most from my time at Noroff, and that's what I still crave in my professional life. Being able to devote almost all your time to try, fail, and play with creative processes within such safe frameworks has been incredibly valuable for me, answers Tom André.
Trailer for 'Birk & Magna - Gruvens Mørke Hemmelighet'. The film can be seen in cinemas nationwide.
Related studies
Sound and Music Production
This programme is designed for individuals who wish to work creatively or technically with music and sound. The degree is made for those who aspire to become artists, composers, producers, or work with sound and film music.
| 2 years (or 1 year) | |
| Oslo, Bergen | |
| Higher Professional Degree |