Gustavo Santaolalla — How Movie Music Moves Us

Film Scoring

Gustavo Santaolalla's approach to film scoring is both innovative and unconventional. He often composes music before the film is shot, drawing inspiration from the script and initial discussions with directors like Ang Lee. This method allows the music to become an integral part of the film's fabric rather than a mere accompaniment. Santaolalla explains, "I like to work that way more in an abstract. And then obviously, you know, adjust it to a particular scene or, you know, edit it to the image" 1. He believes that music should enhance the emotional depth of a scene without overwhelming it, avoiding the trap of turning dramatic moments into melodrama 2.

   

Gaming Music

Santaolalla's venture into video game music with "The Last of Us" showcases his adaptability and creative curiosity. Despite not being a gamer himself, he embraced the challenge of composing for a new medium, influenced by his son's gaming experiences. He views video games as a reflection of reality, offering a unique way to reorganize and engage with the world. Santaolalla notes, "We live in a society that is unfortunately full of zombies and horror and, you know, awful things, and unfortunately, we just can't go into a console and take care of them" 3. This perspective highlights his belief in the transformative power of music across different platforms.