Kim Srey Moch, CSH's first bachelor's graduate and assistant sound designer

Kim Srey Moch just finished her 3 years audio-visual bachelor degree, at PSE's School of Media, which makes her Chandara Students' Homes' first graduated student from higher education. As good news never arrives alone, she also secured a full-time position as an assistant of a sound designer, her dream job. We can say it: dreams come true!

Whether in a street looking for the sound of a Honda Dream engine, or in a café to catch the ambient hubbub and the clinking of cups, microphone in hand, Srey Moch captures the sounds of everyday life. A task that is also part of her daily life, as an assistant sound designer. She spent three years studying audio-visual at PSE School of Media where she just graduated, and it was also there that she met Vincent Villa, the man who gave her the opportunity to train for the job she was destined for: "When I was in Year 1, he came to give some workshops on sound design at my school. After one lesson, he told my school supervisor that if I followed his lead, I would be a sound designer in three years. So I visited his office." And she felt like a duck to water while seeing all the equipment, the studio, and those who would become her future colleagues, specifically her producer: "They tried to catch me for a 2 years internship by explaining the benefits for me and invited me on a movie set to understand how it works."

But this is not where Srey Moch started her internship journey. Her teacher did not allow her to do this at the moment, because it would not give her enough academic credits and her knowledge was not sufficient. They decided to wait for her for another year. And finally, the Covid-19 came and changed the situation."My school closed, but not the company. My boss invited me to visit the studio again. I went and they setted up everything like I was going to work with them. I didn't plan working on that day but I did, and that's how I started my internship. When school reopened, we made a deal so I could keep learning with both, and now I have a full-time position as an assistant sound designer!", she explains cheerfully. 

While Srey Moch believes that a sound designer is someone who sees the universe as a whole, who understands the relationship between sound and image, she also compares her job to that of a chef, who has to deal with quality ingredients and the client's tastes, and find the right balance through a careful combination of passion and creativity. "If you put too much audio information, you can destroy the image. That's why you need to fall in love with your project and do it with your heart." 

Our freshly graduated student feels that she has no particular fears for her future, but rather perspectives for career development. For now, she plans to stay in her company for 5 to 10 years, and to get every skills she could from her boss. "He will be retired soon, so he wants to transmit his knowledge to somebody he trusts. If I work hard and behave well, I might be lucky to receive it. My second plan is to study abroad, maybe in France, Germany or United Kingdom, if I can. I have a big goal: working for Hollywood. But if it happens I will be nothing for them, in Cambodia I have more chances."

Talking about chances, Srey Moch admits that without Happy Chandara, her life would have been different. "I would like to thank Tina Kieffer for creating the NGO, this beautiful school and this wonderful future for me, as well as our sponsors. I also thank all the teachers and the staff from HCS and CSH for taking care of me until now." An educational and safe environment that also allowed her to meet people with whom she established special relationships:"I'm thinking about my closest friends and especially Srey Leak, who is always besides me, and also my former English teacher, James. I really want to mention them because in grade 12, I could have committed the irreparable without their help. I don't know how to express my feelings, I should create a word to thank you all for what you have done." Not forgetting to express gratitude to the person who brought her to where she is today: "I'd also like to thank myself for being strong and keep looking forward."  Well said. And we would like to congratulate her for all she has achieved: we are proud of you Srey Moch!