Case Study: Departure (Short Film, 2023)
- Stephen Keech
- May 16
- 3 min read
“A young woman races to save her partner in a daring attempt to get him off world.”
Film Credits
Production Company: Apricity Pictures
Writer / Director / Editor: Sam Siske
Executive Producer / Producer: Mckinnis Calderala
Director of Photography: Dylan Rucker
Music Composed by: Stephen Keech
Sound Design: Zach Noblitt
Project Overview
Departure is a sci-fi short directed by Sam Siske that tells the story of a young woman’s urgent attempt to save her partner before time runs out. The film runs just seven minutes, but packs in high emotional stakes, a layered narrative, and cinematic ambition.
Sam approached me early in development knowing the music would play a central role in helping the audience connect to the story. We began collaborating even before production — trading voice memos and melody ideas to shape a sonic identity for the film from the ground up.
Creative Goals & Challenges
With such a short runtime, the score had to establish tone, build emotional resonance, and enhance narrative clarity — all without overwhelming the viewer.
Key challenges included:
Tight budget and timeline
Conveying emotional weight through an original and organic score
Balancing music between present-tense action and past-tense memories
Helping the audience follow and stay engaged through rapid shifts between timelines
The Scoring Process
The collaboration was hands-on from the beginning. Sam stayed closely involved throughout the process, which helped us craft music that hit every emotional cue with intention.
We chose an organic, acoustic-forward palette to ground the futuristic setting in something emotionally human. The score features:
Piano
Programmed small ensemble strings
Woodwinds
Harp
Custom sound design (including a friction mallet on drums and percussive sheet metal)
The score begins with tense 5/4 ostinatos — rhythmic and pulsing — to support the urgency of the present-day story. As the film transitions into more emotional territory, the music opens up into a sweeping, nostalgic orchestral finale that underscores the character’s emotional journey.
We recorded live performances with a cellist, violinist, and harpist to bring added warmth and realism to the final mix.
Listen to the difference between the demo, the mockup, and the final score.
Results
Departure went on to screen at several prestigious festivals:
LA Shorts International Film Festival
Nashville Film Festival
Lift-Off Global Network – Los Angeles
Winner: Best Sci-Fi Short — IndieX Film Festival
Director Testimonial:
"Working with Stephen was such a fulfilling experience. I still remember how giddy I felt after he played me the theme for the first time. It was everything I wanted and more… He always elevates my ideas while maintaining an emphasis on story and character. His music took the film to the next level."— Sam Siske, Director
Reflections
Departure pushed me to rely on instinct, embrace limitations, and take creative risks with sound. I learned how valuable it is to have a director truly engaged in the musical process — Sam’s involvement helped us align emotionally and narratively from start to finish.
The film also challenged me to score nonlinear storytelling in a way that felt seamless. Helping the audience move between past and present without confusion — and with emotional clarity — was one of the most rewarding parts of the project.
Watch the film below.
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