David Snyder wrote in a message via Facebook on Friday that his son Michael had taken his own life.
Michael Wolf Snyder, a production sound mixer on Nomadland, is deceased. He was 35.
Snyder’s aunt Cathy shared a Facebook message from her brother David – Michael’s father – confirming his son’s death. In the report, Snyder wrote that Michael took his own life last week and that he had suffered from depression for years.
The message reads in part: “Michael has recently taken his own life and was only discovered when I went to examine him on Monday after he had not been in contact for a few days. He has been suffering from severe depression for a long time. most people it’s a disease that disappears over the years.I’m sure it was difficult for Michael to spend most of the last year alone in his small Queens apartment and be responsible for dealing with the coronavirus Despite this, we all believed that he was doing well, and I think that’s been the case for most of the last year. was certainly delighted with all the honors for Nomadland and told us many happy stories about his work on the film and the wonderful people with whom he had to spend time. ‘
About Michael’s career, Synder said: ‘We always knew how much Wolf loved his work in the film; it was the brightest place in his life. ‘ This year Michael was nominated for Best Sound / Effects at the CinEuphoria Awards for Chloe Zhao’s Nomadland. His additional credits in the audio department include Zhao’s The rider, mini-series HodoBuzz and Good omens, a number of short films. Over the past decade, his roles have ranged from sound mixer to tree operator, sound recorder and sound director.
Synder, a psychiatrist, recounted the circumstances of his son’s death from others struggling with depression to seek help. “I hope the shocking nature of Michael’s death will warn others to speak up, run the risk of being vulnerable and seek the help they need,” he wrote.
Searchlight Pictures shared the following statement with The Hollywood Reporter Saturday night: ‘We express our sincere condolences to Wolf’s family and our friends, the company of Nomadland. ‘
Meanwhile, the producers said in a joint statement: “While we are breaking hearts with the loss of Wolf, we hope it is a comfort to know that his spirit will live forever in every laugh he has recorded, every breeze and every gallop of a horse.He was a part of our little movie family and his kind soul touched us all.Wolf really made our lives alive.We send our condolences to his family on behalf of the whole movie Nomadland company. See you along the way, dear friend. ‘
Nomadland star Frances McDormand shared in a short statement, “Wolf recorded our heartbeat. We are every breath. To me he is Nomadland. “
Zhao wrote a tribute to Snyder in which she remembers their dynamics together on set. “On The rider and Nomadland“I always looked at Wolf every time,” she wrote. I did not wear headphones on the set and therefore I strongly believed that Wolf would be my ears. He nods to me with a happy grin or with tears in his eyes, or sometimes he discreetly signifies ‘another’. While The rider, Wolf suggested an idea that we later tackled Nomadland – to record room tones longer than we need as a chance to experience silence. After visiting each place, we sat together in silence, tuned in, listening and honoring the world around us and each other. I will always miss him. He was always on set with me, after every take and in the silence of every room tone. See you along the way, my friend. ‘
The close Nomadland production team and Hollywood audio community were also sad and shocked on Saturday. “His job is to make the film sound as beautiful as it looks,” Nomadland‘s supervising sound editor and the recording of the mixer Zach Seivers tells THR. “He captured the performances and every emotion. Not only did he record the dialogue excellently, but he recorded additional sounds. He saw himself as a storyteller. He would take the time to get away from the crew and atmosphere. and incorporate texture elements. “
Seivers went on to recall installed elements such as geese in Northern California and how Snyder responded to them. “It’s very unusual to capture the essence of the location … It gave the kind of authenticity to the film that Chloe suggested,” he said.
It was the first time Seivers and Snyder had worked together, and Seivers remembered his colleague as a “sweet, joyful person and our friendship had just begun.” Seivers added: “He has so much he has given. I was really looking forward to building the relationship with him and the work he puts forward. I am very sad and sorry for the loss of his family.”
Production sound mixer Don Hale, who did not work on Nomadland but was a friend and colleague of Synder, also shared a memory with THR. “When something like this happens, it comes to the heart of each and every one of us,” he said, appealing to anyone who has feelings like depression to reach out to friends and colleagues. Hale remembers Snyder as a very creative person, full of energy and enthusiasm and passionate about his work. ‘He really loved working [Nomadland]. There were so many elements that he enjoyed the outdoors, the freedom. [He said] it was a wonderful experience and he was so happy that he was a part of it. ‘
Actor Yuval Davis wrote among numerous tributes on Facebook: “Michael Wolf Snyder was the super-cool award-winning sound mixer who recorded on the fixed sound for the latest feature film I directed. His tragic loss is painfully heard.” Filmmaker Craig Blair remembers Snyder as a “wonderful friend and talented collaborator” and wrote on Facebook that he “embodies everything I love about filmmaking and the community in which he has been and always will be.”
21:09: Updated with statements from Seivers and Hale.
10:43 a.m.: Updated with Searchlight statements, Nomadland filmmakers, McDormand and Zhao.