Opening Scene

Opening Scene

Author: The Sound Boutique August 16, 2019 Duration: 0:55

The TV drama is imagined; the work and the guests are real.In mid-2019 composers Dan Watts and Gareth Davies met for lunch to discuss a collaboration idea. What if they could make a TV drama soundtrack without actually being commissioned? What if that collaboration could be journaled in some way to attract producers and influencers? What if it their experiences could help and inform other people?

The Making A Soundtrack podcast was born. Join Dan & Gareth as they find out what it takes to create a TV drama soundtrack. 

For more information about the series, visit www.makingasoundtrack.com 

Making a Soundtrack is part of the Music Room. Find out more at musicroom.community

Making A Soundtrack season 1 is produced by Gareth Davies and Dan Watts.  


Ever wondered about the unseen hands that shape the music behind your favorite films and games? Making A Soundtrack, from The Sound Boutique, pulls back the curtain on the intricate, collaborative world of orchestral scores. While we often credit the composer, this podcast delves into the entire ecosystem-from the orchestrators and copyists who translate ideas into sheet music, to the librarians, contractors, and recording engineers who manage the chaos of a session, right down to the musicians whose collective breath gives the music its soul. Each episode is a conversation with these vital, yet often overlooked, contributors, revealing the practical magic and immense teamwork required to transform a musical idea into a finished soundtrack. You'll hear personal stories, technical challenges, and the quiet triumphs that happen between the first sketch and the final mix. It’s a detailed, human look at an art form built on precision and passion. Tune in for a fresh appreciation of every note you hear.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 31

Making A Soundtrack
Podcast Episodes
Making A Soundtrack Season 2 Trailer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00
From composer to screen: the journey of the orchestral score.We all know that the composer writes the music for a soundtrack, but what about all the people we don't see or hear about? Making A Soundtrack Season 2 will sh…
The Special Episode [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:49
Dan embraces his inner smurf while Gareth binge-watches Disney+. They also chat with these fabulous guests: Daisy Coole & Tom Nettleship (Composers) (Two Twenty Two Music) Claire Batchelor (Composer) Banks & Wag (Compose…
Resolutions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:30
This is the final episode of series 1! Dan & Gareth reflect on the first series of Making A Soundtrack and how the album is shaping up. They also look back at the wonderful advice the series guests have provided. Subscri…
Little Mix [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:12
Gareth adds strings and piano to the theme tune, and Dan talks through track 6 to illustrate his mixing process. Next week's episode will mark the end of series 1 of Making A Soundtrack (booo). To celebrate we are going…
May The Sound Be With You, With Tim Nielsen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:06
This week Gareth makes the 100 mile journey to Dan's studio where they approach track 2 (the theme tune) and make notes for the rest of the album. They also chat with Skywalker Sound's supervising sound editor, sound des…
Do Your Own Thing, With Ian Arber [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:48
Dan & Gareth are taking a Christmas break! The next episode will be on 10th January. In this episode they attempt a Christmas carol, progress track 9 and chat with composer Ian Arber about Mission Impossible and recent B…
Singing From The Same Hymn Sheet, With Jeremy Holland-Smith [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:59
Dan practises his conducting and Gareth makes a start on track 9. They also chat to composer, conductor and orchestrator Jeremy Holland-Smith about his work on dramas Les Miserables and The Musketeers. You can find out m…
Communication, With Peter Blach [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:40
Gareth & Dan get together at Dan's studio to review tracks. They also talk about the development of track 8, and chat with Folkestone-based director Peter Blach about his debut feature, Seagull. Find out more about Peter…
It's All About The Music [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:52
Gareth finds Dan trying to put track 7 to bed with interesting results. They also chat about how they have sculpted the sound for the album, what inspires them to write, how they know the collaboration is working and wha…
'On Set' Music, With Simon Whiteside [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:52
Gareth talks through his surprising approach to track 7 and hands off to Dan for more tinkerings. They also chat with Simon Whiteside about his 'on set' music work. You can find out more about Simon and his work at www.s…