---
title: "Making Music for Movies with Shawn Sutta and Adam Robl"

description: "I’m joined with the duo of composers as we take an inside look into what it takes to be a indie film composer. They walk me through their home studio build, gear, and journey of serendipity. Shawn Sutta is a composer whose devotion to film is fueled by his desire to bring people together - both to create a work of art and to tell stories that move people. A passionate collaborator, Shawn enjoys creating with orchestras, choirs, bands and instrumentalists while working closely with filmmaking teams to make stories that connect with audiences."

status: complete

date: 2023-09-26

kind: guest

guestSlugs:
  - shawn-sutta

listenUrl: "https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lovemusicmore/episodes/Making-Music-for-Movies-with-Shawn-Sutta-and-Adam-Robl-e29pge5"

lmwUrl: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_8iijluJj4"
appleUrl: "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-music-for-movies-with-shawn-sutta-and-adam-robl/id1567355195?i=1000629195816&uo=4"
spotifyUrl: "https://open.spotify.com/episode/2zPoAfGnRbQe55Q8XxWng2"
youtubeUrl: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wfv0i98VAxI"

topicsDiscussed:
  - "Scoring for picture"
  - "Collaboration"
  - "Creativity"
  - "The home studio"
  - "Music production"
  - "Songwriting"
  - "Indie film composition"
  - "Home studio setup"
  - "The role of temp scores"
  - "Emotional storytelling in music"
  - "Composition techniques"
  - "Navigating industry challenges"

hostNote: |
  In this episode, we dive deep into the world of indie film composition with the talented duo Shawn Sutta and Adam Robl. As they share their journey, From the serendipitous events that brought them together to their approach to scoring amidst the ever-evolving landscape of film and technology, this conversation offers a rare glimpse into the heart of scoring for visual media.
  
  By the end of our time with Shawn and Adam, you'll have a greater appreciation for how music intertwines with storytelling, as well as the technical skills these composers employ to breathe life into films.

selectedMoments:
  - label: "Melding loves for film and music"
    startSec: 111
    note: "Shawn discusses his passion for both music and film, and how scoring a film provides structure and inspiration for creativity."
  - label: "Stepping into new stories"
    startSec: 189
    note: "Adam elaborates on how composing for films allows them to explore different emotional landscapes that are not part of their personal narratives."
  - label: "Understanding temp scores"
    startSec: 342
    note: "The duo explains the concept of temp scoring and how it influences their creative process."
  - label: "Mixing for the medium"
    startSec: 429
    note: "They talk about the importance of leaving space in the score when the film works well without music."
  - label: "Recording techniques"
    startSec: 603
    note: "Shawn and Adam share insights into their approach to capturing sound and utilizing various recording equipment."
  - label: "Future aspirations and challenges"
    startSec: 1886
    note: "Shawn and Adam discuss their dreams for larger ensemble projects and the excitement of building a new studio."

excerptQuotes:
  - text: "I find it really hard to write when it's open to just write anything on any instrument for any purpose of any length with no deadline."
    startSec: 115
    reviewed: true
  - text: "Each movie has its own world and it's interesting to see how it affects us and the aesthetics too."
    startSec: 191
    reviewed: true
  - text: "Most of the time we get a film that's been edited and we use temp music to help pace out edits."
    startSec: 336
    reviewed: true
  - text: "If the thing works really well without music, then I think leaving more space is the answer there."
    startSec: 436
    reviewed: true
  - text: "The main goal is to make it sound real, so our mic choices play a big role in that."
    startSec: 591
    reviewed: true
  - text: "We're excited about the future, especially working with larger ensembles and recording with choirs."
    startSec: 1885
    reviewed: true

faq:
  - question: "What is indie film composition?"
    answer: "Indie film composition involves creating music specifically for independent films, typically with smaller budgets and more creative freedom."
  - question: "How do Shawn Sutta and Adam Robl collaborate as composers?"
    answer: "Shawn and Adam collaborate by combining their unique skills and ideas, often starting with a piano piece and building it into a full score."
  - question: "What are temp scores in film music?"
    answer: "Temp scores are temporary pieces of music used in film editing to help shape the pacing and emotional tone before the final score is composed."

transcriptPublished: false

draft: false
---