Michael Wolf Snyder, the sound mixer for several film titles, including Chloé Zhao Nomadland and The pilot, died of suicide, according to a post by his aunt on Facebook. He was 35 years old.
Snyder’s aunt, Cathy Snyder, shared a post from the sound mixer’s father, David Snyder, in which he details how to find his son’s body at his home in Queens, NY.
“Michael took his own life sometime last week, and it wasn’t discovered until I went to see how he was on Monday, after he was out of touch for several days,” wrote David Snyder originally. “He has had severe depression for many years. For most people, this is a disease that increases and decreases over the years. I’m sure it was difficult for Michael to have spent most of last year alone in his small apartment in Queens, being responsible for dealing with the coronavirus. “
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Snyder, who detailed his son’s death in “The Hope That It Can Help Others”, added that his son looked “especially cheerful and refreshed” when he returned to work on several film projects. Unfortunately, Michael died before the Golden Globe Awards on February 28, added David Snyder. At the 78th annual ceremony, Zhao’s Nomadland took home the awards for best director and best drama film.
Starting his career in 2011 with Henry Miller Occupant, Michael Snyder worked in several sound roles, from boom operator to location sound director and sound mixer. In 2014, he wrote, produced and mixed Jodie’s Way, a short film about a trans-curious high school girl who has a date with the local bad girls.
In 2017, he became part of Chloé Zhao’s team The pilot as a boom operator and sound mixer. The film, which is part of Zhao’s trilogy about being stripped and left behind in the modern American West, stars Brady Jandreau, Tim Jandreau and Lilly Jandreau. Zhao’s drama follows a young cowboy who seeks a new identity in the heart of America.
Two years later, Snyder met with Zhao to star in Francis McDormand, Nomadland. As a production sound mixer, Snyder helped to fill the narrative about modern nomads with the atmospheric echoes of America’s natural landscapes.
In a statement, Zhao said he trusted the sound mixer to “be my ears”.
“He would wave at me with a happy smile, or tears in his eyes, or at times he would quietly signal ‘one more. “During The Rider, Wolf suggested an idea that we later took to Nomadland – recording ambient tones for longer than we need as a chance to experience silence. After touring each location, we sat together, in silence, attuned, listening and honoring the world around us and each other. I will always miss him. He would always be with me on the set, after each take, and in the silence of every tone in the room. See you on the way, my friend, ”she said.
For his work in Nomadland, Snyder received nominations, shared with Sergio Diaz and Zach Seivers, for best sound at the Satellite and CinEuphoria awards. In 2012, he won the award for best sound for his work in Rockaway at the First Execution Festival.
Additional credits from Snyder include HodoBuzz, Good Omens, Best Medicine, Home Sweet Home and All of it.
See Cathy Snyder’s full post below.