My Linh's daughter participates in making the soundtrack for Joker 2

Films Joker 2 was released in early October. The film was directed by Todd Phillips, written with Scott Silver and Bob Kane. Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga played the main roles.

In September at the 2024 Venice Film Festival, the film received an 11-minute standing ovation from the audience. According to Variety,The film topped the US box office in its first week with an opening of $40 million.

-What opportunity brought you to work with the Joker 2 crew?

- I was invited to join this project through a colleague. I still remember the feeling when I received that call, my heart was pounding with excitement. Besides the joy, I was also somewhat worried because this was one of the biggest projects I had ever participated in.

The music in the film has two branches - songs (songs with lyrics) and score (instrumental music). The Music Department (music department) this time has about 45 people. I am in charge of recording, editing and mastering the instrumental music with a few colleagues.

- How does the music making process work?

- The score was recorded over two weeks at the Eastwood Scoring Stage at Warner Brothers Studios. Editing, mastering and mixing took place over the next two weeks at Henson Studios in Hollywood.

We had to make sure all the music was recorded within the allotted time. Even a delay of 1-2 hours could cost the crew tens of thousands of dollars.

My biggest challenge was probably during the recording stage, when I was the one operating the recording software in the studio. With conductors, arrangers, producers, music editors and nearly a hundred musicians in the room, I couldn’t take more than a few seconds to do what was asked of me because everyone was waiting for me to continue.

There are nearly 100 microphones set up to record the orchestra. My job is to make sure the instruments are clear, removing any noise and errors before it reaches the mixer.

I was so nervous before each recording session that I often couldn’t eat breakfast. During that time, I was in the studio for about 10 hours a day. One night I was working late and they locked the entrance to the Warner Brothers campus, and I had to find my way out to go home (laughs). But it was a great experience and I improved a lot because of that project.

-How did you connect with the film crew?

- We don't work directly with directors and producers, we only receive the necessary materials to perform the assigned role. I only interact with my music team, I really like and respect them.

The composer this time is Hildur Guðnadóttir, a talented Icelandic musician, I feel lucky to have worked with her.

Other colleagues have participated in making music for films such as Stranger Things, A Star Is Born, Maestro, Babylon. Everyone is good and working hard in their career, I learned a lot. After making these films, we became good friends.

-How is your work in Hollywood now?

- I work as a sound engineer for a company, and my work is going well. One of my biggest goals in my career is to not stand still, to try to find challenges. When I find that what I am doing becomes too easy, it means that I have stopped growing.

I like to collaborate with people who are better than me. In the near future, I also hope to work with more artists in Vietnam.

-How is your life since marrying your American husband?

- We live happily and peacefully. My husband is my best friend, we work well together because he is more on the production side, I am more on the recording and mixing side.

We always talk and share with each other when one of us has difficulties. He always says he is his wife's biggest fan. I feel so lucky to have such a person by my side.

I just wish my family always healthy. I will try harder and find joy in my work.