Meet Winnie Liu | Media Composer & Multi-instrumentalist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Winnie Liu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Winnie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Being a media composer has always been my dream profession since I was a child, ever since I first listened to Joe Hisaishi’s soundtrack for the Korean TV series “Legend of Four Gods”. I was deeply moved by his seamless integration of Western classical orchestration with traditional Asian instruments, which not only captures the depth of the culture’s beauty but also enriches the ensemble with a fullness quality.

For me, being a media composer is not just about telling a compelling story through music; it’s also about carrying the culture, beliefs, honesty, and humanity to the audience. A successful production involves the collaboration of many artists, musicians, and engineers, each layering care and love onto every note and sound.

Writing music has always been the most meaningful aspect of my career, which is why I founded Dreamland Studio in 2018 and have been creating ever since.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
In 2023, I embarked on a project titled “Drifting Roots,” which I co-produced with my director friend Chao Weng Ian. This project started from our field study in 2021, where we spent a year interviewing stories of Hong Kong immigrants in Taiwan. From 2022 to 2023, we transformed these stories into an immersive exhibition and various experimental theater performances. “Drifting Roots” was showcased at prestigious events such as the Taipei Fringe Festival and Taiwan Contemporary Culture Lab (C-LAB) Sound Festival: Diversonics, and also received support from the French institute IRCAM.

This project was very challenging for me. Firstly, I worked entirely remotely with the rest of the team. The time zone difference—approximately 12 hours between the US and Taiwan—meant countless nights and early mornings. Moreover, I wore dual hats as both a producer and an artist. Collaborating with Chao, we spent months discussing the creative direction before committing to a performance venue. Our shared theater background guided us, with Chao focusing on the overarching story presentation, while I contributed ideas and explored possibilities based on our collective tools and skills. As the project evolved, we gradually involved more people, addressing budgeting, marketing, and securing funding.

As a composer/sound artist in this project, I utilized spatial sound design on all the music and sound to create the immersive environment for the audience. We decided to use 5.1 -channel speakers with binaural headphones for the exhibition in National Taipei Zhongshan Hall, and 7-channel speakers for the experimental theater version in Taipei Fringe Festival, and the most intricate 49.4-channel setup with real-time interactive audio processing at C-LAB Sound Festival. Each performance demanded extensive testing and encountered numerous technical challenges and setbacks. Despite these hurdles, we still ensure the clearest conceptual framework that supports the narrative and performance.

Throughout this journey, I learned invaluable lessons in trust and collaboration. I would like to express my gratitude to my teammates Samuel and Lian for their unwavering support for the music team, as well as to the exceptional lighting designer Willian and stage manager Una for their reliability and dedication. My deepest appreciation goes to Chao Weng Ian, my best friend and collaborator, whose tireless efforts in Taiwan brought our vision to life.

“Drifting Roots” creates a space and time where conversations can flow, providing opportunities for the audience to engage. As an artist, this is truly meaningful to me. I feel fulfilled to develop a story that carries depth and resonates with society. There were many touching moments during our interactions with interviewees before and after the performance, which motivated me to seek out similar invaluable experiences in my future projects.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love the food in Little Tokyo; it’s my go-to spot to kick off any trip. Bringing my friends there for their first meal directly from the airport is always a must—it’s the perfect way to shake off any travel fatigue. With its abundance of cute dessert restaurants, stores, and walkable areas, Little Tokyo is ideal for spending quality time with friends.

At night, there’s nothing quite like heading to the Griffith Observatory to gaze out at the sprawling dream city of Los Angeles. It’s a breathtaking experience and a wonderful opportunity to catch up on life with friends.

Over the next few days, I plan to take them on a culinary journey through Grand Central Market and The Original Farmers Market. Culver City is another stop on the itinerary, offering a blend of shopping and delectable food options.

If time permits, I’d love to explore some of Los Angeles’s cultural landmarks, such as the Academy Museum, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and The Broad. These venues often host intriguing exhibitions and concerts that add another layer to the city’s vibrant atmosphere.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Relocating a career from one’s home country to a foreign land is undoubtedly a challenging endeavor. However, I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity I received when I first set foot in Columbia College Chicago’s MFA Music Composition for the Screen program in 2021. Under the guidance of Kubilay Uner, this two-year graduate program provided me with the most comprehensive practical training and an exceptionally diverse cultural environment.

One of the program’s standout features was its faculty—all actively engaged in the industry. This ensured that we were constantly exposed to the latest knowledge and insights. Moreover, working on projects previously tackled by our professors was an exhilarating experience. Not only did we have the privilege of learning from esteemed professionals such as video game composer Joel Correlitz, orchestrator Kaz Boyle, conductor Allen Tinkham, and recording & mixing engineer Mathew Prock, but the program also regularly brought in different composers-in-residence each semester. I had the fortune of delving into the realms of scoring documentaries with Miriam Cutler, animation with Vivek Maddala, and epic action with Brandon Campbell. Each composer’s unique perspective and journey inspired me and helped me better understand myself as an artist.

During the final semester at Columbia, I was fortunate to intern with film/TV composer Sherri Chung. This invaluable experience provided me with insights into the intricacies of large-scale productions and emphasized the importance of being an efficient team player. From file conforming to score creation, every detail contributed significantly to the final product. Participating in the recording process at Warner Bros Studio for the animation series Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai was particularly memorable. Witnessing the orchestral recording session, observing Blake Neely’s conducting prowess, and learning from Sherri’s interactions with musicians left an indelible mark on me, further fueling my aspirations as a media composer.

Now based in LA as a freelance composer and cellist, I am also proud to be a member of various organizations such as SCL, AWFC, and CDC. Additionally, I am excited to participate as one of the mentees in the 2024 ScreenCraft mentorship program. These organizations have provided invaluable support and networking opportunities, helping me navigate the competitive landscape of the industry.

I am deeply grateful for the support and encouragement I have received thus far, without which my journey wouldn’t have been possible. As I eagerly anticipate the adventures that lie ahead, I look forward to sharing more stories with you in the future.

Website: https://www.winniecomposer.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winnie_liu_cello/?hl=zh-tw

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hui-wen-liu-%E5%8A%89%E8%95%99%E9%9B%AF-winnieliu-682b201b6/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HuiWenLiu4

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/winnie.liu.106

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4IrnE-jDLgInvbuWDfgPag

Other: https://www.fiverr.com/s/eajDPD