Annessa Hernandez

She is the Composer of Joshua Lozano‘s Rest Stop Dollar Baby film.

SKSM: Could you start with telling me a little bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?

Anessa Hernandez: My name is Annessa Hernandez! Currently, I am a senior music major at Schreiner University. I started playing the piano at age 8 and been doing it ever since. I went through various phases of thinking that music wasn’t for me (even though I was still in piano clases) but eventually in high school, I realized this is where I needed to be and this is what I needed to be doing. Besides music, I enjoy getting to cosplay! Mostly as Star Wars characters!

SKSM: How did you become involved with Rest Stop?

Anessa Hernandez: I became involved with Rest Stop through our director, Joshua. I had just gotten a job at a local movie theatre by my house and we had an orientation day. When we were going around the room introducing ourselves, Joshua stated he was a filmmaker. Being an aspiring film composer, I immedietly approached him saying that if he ever needed help with the score for any of his films, to let me know! He said he was working on a new movie and might need help with the music. He then emailed me the script for Rest Stop that same night!

SKSM: How did you get started as a composer and what do you do on production?

Anessa Hernandez: I would say I got started as a composer my freshman year of college. Thats when I realized I wanted to make my own music. “Performing is cool” I thought, but I began to venture into the possibility of writing and making my own music because of how much it helped/helps me. I would think that “if it helped me this much, maybe  I could in return help others with it.”

SKSM: How did you get started to wrote the Soundtrack for Rest Stop?

Anessa Hernandez: I first read the script. After that I read it again with my keyboard in front of me. I would mess with the different sounds and see which one fit the mood. I just went on from there!

SKSM: Is this your most challenging audio so far?

Anessa Hernandez: I wouldn’t say it’s the most challenging but it definetly had its moments. I would struggle to see if this tune really fit a certain mood or was I using the right instrumentation.

SKSM: Was there any funny or special moment when you made the music that you would like to tell me about?

Anessa Hernandez: I would say the most special moment I had, was when the music for the montage scene was finally done. Everything seemed to fit together great! I didn’t think I was capable of doing that, especially with my first film but when I heard it all together for the first time, I was pretty shocked (in a good way).

SKSM: After Rest Stop did you write more music? If so what?

Anessa Hernandez: I sure have! I wrote a trio for brass instruments, some themes for some other future film projects, and will be starting on a euphonium lyrical solo. In between this I had to write some Singer/songwriter type of songs.

SKSM: What are you working nowadays?

Anessa Hernandez: Now, I am currently out of a job, but still work at the same movie theatre when I come back into town. I’m also a music work-study at my school. In between school and work, I always try and make time to write music.

SKSM: Are you a fan of Stephen King’s work?

Anessa Hernandez: I most certainly am! I love IT and Carrie and Christine, the list goes on!

SKSM: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

Anessa Hernandez: That I was set to go into a part-time cosmetology school in high school because I wanted to do stage make-up for musical theatre.

SKSM: What advice would you give to those people who want to be musicians?

Anessa Hernandez: To anyone who wants to be musicians, I would say to believe in yourself and your work. You are unique and so are the gifts and talents you’ve been given. You have them for a reason! Don’t be afraid to express yourself and try something new! Remember that it’s never too late to start. I thought I was so late to the composing área, but I wasn’t. When it comes to music, you can start anywhere, you just have to take that first step!

SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything else you want to say to the fans that read this interview?

Anessa Hernandez: Of course! I totally enjoyed it Oscar! I just want to say thank you so much for your support. It means more to us than you could ever know!

SKSM: Do you like something to add?

Anessa Hernandez: To take care and be safe!