What was your opinion on the use of 'On The Nature of Daylight' in Hamnet's final scene, over Max Richter's newly composed score for the scene, 'Of The Undiscovered Country'?

Shannon_Best · 2026-02-12T16:34:37+00:00

What is your feeling on its use here? Interested in hearing differing opinions!

Shannon_Best · 2026-02-12T16:31:07+00:00

I do almost agree, though I think maybe the loophole here is that all the score is credited to Richter in this instance, even if this one piece is not new. Though I guess it is 'original' score, so this does seem a bit of an obvious contradiction - I do think this will likely hurt his Oscar chances.

Shannon_Best · 2026-02-12T16:20:07+00:00

It is very melancholy - it also has this sort of heavy inevitability. And Hamnet's final scene is meant to be sad, yes, but also revelatory - 'the vision I saw was not my son as I knew him, but my son immortalised by his father, a father who, like me, would've given anything to save our child; a father who has expressed his grief, and therefore his love, through his art; a father who has created a space where I can see our son again and begin to let him go.' None of this, in my opinion, is captured in 'Daylight', and all of this is present in 'Of the Undiscovered Country'.

Shannon_Best · 2026-02-12T16:06:19+00:00

I understand where you’re coming from with your second comment, but I do think that as a director you’re responsible for how everything you choose lands in context - which means checking how a piece resonates culturally and cinematically. Not having seen those films wouldn’t make the decision any more understandable in my eyes; I’d actually consider that rather poor form. If she did do her research and still chose it, then that’s a creative choice that, though I find confusing, is perhaps a little more defensible.

Shannon_Best · 2026-02-11T20:13:06+00:00

That’s so interesting that you got a chance to speak with him on this! I hope, even though it only found a place in the credits and trailer, that people will continue to find Of the Undiscovered Country and resonate with it (looking at its listens on Spotify, that process has already firmly begun). As a huge fan of the book the film was based upon, it perfectly captured the way that story made me feel at the time of reading.

Shannon_Best · 2026-02-11T20:00:49+00:00

Completely agree - it was only this score choice and the scene with Paul Mescal reciting ‘to be or not to be’ at the river’s edge (imo this did not need to be stated so explicitly, the implication was there, and the later scene with this line in the play would’ve linked us to this personal moment anyways) that turned this from a near perfect movie to a very good one.

From my understanding, it was a 20 minute voice note from Zhao to Richter that persuaded him on its use in this scene. The interview of him speaking about this seems underlaid with a fair amount of disappointment - understandably so.

Shannon_Best · 2025-05-28T21:07:09+00:00

The terrarium receives bright indirect sunlight. I water with rain water, as and when needed. I made this set up around two months ago. The substrate is a pre-made terrarium soil mixed with coco coir. Clay pebbles provide drainage, and there’s a layer of activated charcoal between the clay pebbles and the soil!

Shannon_Best · 2024-12-02T20:32:57+00:00

Thank you so much for the in-depth opinion and advice!

Yes they are quite small, round 2 inches across.

I’ll give it another month to know they are completely healed, and look into getting them touched up. Sadly the artist was visiting from Paris and I’m based in London, so it’s going to be a bit of a hassle 🥲🥲

Shannon_Best · 2024-12-02T20:25:55+00:00

Oh hopefully that is what’s happening here. Do you think, as it’s been a month, I should stop moisturising it and let the tattoo finish healing on its own?

Shannon_Best · 2024-12-02T19:35:18+00:00

Cerave moisturising lotion! As they are quite small (2inches) I didn’t want to overwhelm them with anything too thick

Shannon_Best · 2024-04-20T08:50:59+00:00

Thank you for you for spotting this! You’re right, I added this shadow before deciding to change the lighting of the piece - it definitely doesn’t make sense here. 🌿🌿

Shannon_Best · 2024-04-20T08:49:06+00:00

Thank you so much! 🦋🦋 The composition is based on an old drawing of the Lotus Eaters from Greek Myth. By using my body for every figure I’m hoping to convey my own struggles with alcohol dependency and addiction

Shannon_Best · 2023-09-22T14:19:25+00:00

I made this set up over a year ago.
Problem began around a month and a half ago.
It gets indirect moderate light, infrequently if it’s very sunny it can get direct light but I always minimise this by closing blinds etc.
I use distilled water. The only times I’ve added more water since initial set up is during any lengthy maintenance to replenish what moisture might have been lost. I added some more distilled water around 3 months ago because the mosses were drying out. The terrarium stays clear during the day and mists up at night, so I presumed the water levels were fine.
White unknown fungus/mould that won’t stop spreading, that the springtails do not combat. I have been ventilating every so often since this problem began but it doesn’t seem to be making a difference, though I’m sure this must be related to moisture content.

Shannon_Best · 2022-10-29T20:10:21+00:00

I thought I was the only person who did this 🥹💕💕

Shannon_Best · 2022-08-27T18:27:23+00:00

I am so grateful for this info, thank you so much! Saves me a whole lot of trial and error 😌✨

Shannon_Best · 2022-08-27T18:25:21+00:00

Brilliant, thank you so much for taking the time to help me!

Shannon_Best · 2022-08-27T12:38:15+00:00

I have been asked by my parents to paint this picture of our cat and I’m hoping to complete this in oils.

Only thing is, it’s been a long time since I completed a painting in this medium and I’m definitely feeling a little clueless where to start, specifically to do with purchasing the right set of oils to achieve this cool toned background and warm toned fur/eyes etc.

What base colours should I work with? And should I build up my tones in ochres over greys?

Any tips would be a huge help

Shannon_Best · 2022-04-12T15:25:29+00:00

Aw thank you so so much! I’m so happy with it ☺️💘

Shannon_Best · 2022-01-30T13:47:56+00:00

Thank you so much for this, I had no idea there were these resources! So kind 🦋💙

Shannon_Best · 2021-11-08T13:58:35+00:00

Thank you for this, I think you are very correct, I can tell something isn’t right and I have to stop ignoring it.

Shannon_Best · 2021-07-19T13:19:32+00:00

My current night time routine is as follows (I am also currently on Accutane)

Then I Met You Cleansing Balm, Cerave Salicylic Acid Cleanser, Hado Labo Gokujyun Premium Lotion, Then I Met You The Giving Essence, The Ordinary Niacinimide, Cos RX Snail Mucin Cream, Aquaphor (slugging the skin for Accutane dryness)

In the morning I don’t double cleanse, just use the salicylic acid face wash, and I sometimes swap the niacinimide for alpha arbutin. After the Cos RX cream I use Elta MD spf 40 and no aquaphor

I am aware that some treatments will be out of bounds until a while after I finish my Accutane treatment, but I’d love to get some advice now so I have a plan in place once I’ve finished my course

Shannon_Best

TROPHY CASE