Interview 6: Orchestration, collaboration, and the integrated soundtrack-an interview with Matt Dunkley

Abstract

Sapiro’s interview with film-score orchestrator Matt Dunkley explores key aspects of the orchestrator’s role with regard to the complete integrated soundtrack of a film. Dunkley discusses his collaborative working relationships with composers and his interactions with other members of the music- and film-production teams such as directors and music editors, offering a striking insight into the place of the orchestrator in the production of the soundtrack. Consideration of other aspects of the orchestrator’s job such as working with popular and other pre-existing musics, and the impact of technology on processes and practices, result in a broader and deeper understanding of the place of the orchestrator within the filmic soundtrack as a whole.