According to his father, David Snyder, the sound mixer from “Nomadland” production Michael Wolf Snyder is dead. He was 35.
Snyder’s body was found in his Queens, NY apartment on March 1 after friends and family had not heard from him for several days.
David, a psychiatrist, posted a message on Facebook on March 4th. “Michael took his life in the last week and was only discovered when I went to examine him on Monday after he had been out of contact for a few days,” he wrote. “He suffered from severe depression for many years. For most people, it is 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 was responsible for dealing with the coronavirus. Despite this, we all believed he was doing well, and I think that was the bulk of the past year. He has seemed especially happy and strengthened over the past few months since he was able to work on various film projects again. He was definitely 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 was able to spend time. ”
Snyder also worked with Chloé Zhao, director of the Nomadland, on The Rider of 2017. “On ‘The Rider’ and ‘Nomadland,’ I always watched Wolf every take, ‘” Zhao said. ‘I did not wear headphones on the set, so I relied heavily on Wolf to be my ears. He nods to me with a happy grin or with tears in his eyes, or sometimes he discreetly signifies ‘another’. During ‘The Rider’, Wolf suggested an idea we later took on ‘Nomadland’ – to record room tones longer than we needed 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. ‘
Frances McDormand, a Nomadland star, said in a statement: ‘Wolf has taken up our hearts. We every breath. To me he is ‘Nomadland’. ”
A statement issued on behalf of the entire cast and crew of ‘Nomadland’ reads: ‘While we are heartbroken with the loss of Wolf, we hope it is a comfort to know that his spirit will live forever in every laugh he took, every breeze, and every gallop of a horse. He was part of our little film family, and his soul touched us all. Wolf really brought our life into our film. We express our condolences to his family on behalf of the entire Nomadland company. See you along the way, dear friend. ‘
Searchlight Pictures said in a statement: “We express our sincere condolences to Wolf’s family and our friends, the company of ‘Nomadland’.”
Snyder began his career in 2011 as a trainer in the thriller “Occupant”. On the television side, his credits include under the “Good Omens” of Amazon.
“Sad to hear that Montana soundman M Wolf Snyder has passed away,” Nomadland star Charlene Swankie wrote on her Facebook page on Saturday morning. Wolf has a lot of focus, a kind heart and an indelible spirit. He did the sound on ‘Nomadland’. So as you watch this magnificent film, pause for a moment to close your eyes and listen to all the beauty he has captured.
Director Yuval David also went to Facebook to express his condolences. “Take a moment of room tone in loving memory of M. Wolf Snyder,” he wrote. ‘Michael Wolf Snyder was the super cool award – winning sound mixer who recorded on solid sound for the latest feature film I’d directed. His tragic loss is painfully heard. Regardless of the noise or the silence, look at people to make sure no one feels alone. Depression attracts people into dark despair. Be the light to help them – even if you think they already have a light, give them extra light of love, kindness and hope. ”
Read David Snyder’s full Facebook post below:
Hello again. I’m David Snyder, Michael Wolf Snyder’s father. His mom, brother and I were so touched by the outpouring of love and support we saw on Facebook. We always knew how much Wolf loved his work in film; it was the brightest place in his life. We had no idea how many people he touched and how many people regarded him so highly. I would like to share a little more about what happened in the hopes that it may help others.
Michael took his own life this past week and was only discovered when I went to see him on Monday after he had been out of contact for a few days. He suffered from severe depression for many years. For most people, it is a disease that disappears over the years. I’m sure it was difficult for Michael that he spent most of the last year alone in his little Queens apartment and was responsible for dealing with the coronavirus. Despite this, we all believed he was doing well, and I think that was the bulk of the past year. He has seemed especially happy and strengthened over the past few months since he was able to work on various film projects again. He was definitely 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 was able to spend time.
Unfortunately, we believe he was gone before he went to see the Golden Globe Awards.
We will never know what has changed in the last month or two, but even his love for his family, as well as his love for film and his film family, was not enough to overcome his demons. People asked if his death was related to Covid. I think we can assume that it played a role in the form of increased isolation and loneliness, but it was definitely more than that. Major Depression is a serious illness that causes people to experience dark feelings of hopelessness, helplessness and worthlessness, convinced that nothing can help them. And it’s not a rare condition that affects at least 15% of us all at some point in our lives. In this time and time again, there is nothing to be ashamed of, and there are many successful therapies available.
I am a psychiatrist who could not save his own son, in part because he would not share the depth of his pain. But I know that most people with this condition will recover with the right help and support. 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. It is such a tragic waste that a temporary increase in despair can end a life with so much promise.
Thank you so much for the love and respect you had for Wolf. It helped us more than we can say.
If you or someone you know is thinking of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.