Scoring for Netflix: Behind the Scenes Composing For Animation

What is it like, scoring a 10-part series for Netflix? Today composer Guy Michelmore shows you how he approached the new Netflix animated series Kitti Katz going through the workflow, the template, the movie format, scoring to picture and the delivery requirements.
Check more music for the series here; / wu8uc
Check out Guy’s "How to Write Music" course!
Download our FREE guide: thinkspaceeducation.com/htwm/
- - - - How To Write Music - - - -
How To Write Music explores the fundamental skills that underpin every great piece of music whether it’s a song or a film score, string quartet or video game sounds track.
Check out the free guide here to get you started: thinkspaceeducation.com/htwm-...

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Check more of my music for the series here! on.soundcloud.com/wU8uc

[@dilzaaaa]

Why did they not give you a credit though? I'd be devastated :(

[@dilzaaaa]

Ignore me. I see it. Don't know why I wanted or needed the satisfaction to see it. :D Might be a big bairn and watch it. :)

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

@@dilzaaaa :) Always get a credit but TBH the IMDB one matters most

[@danceb4nine]

I see you with those Barely Alive samples lol 😂

[@MichelBarbaro]

Witnessing a behind-the-scenes moment like this, coming from people who really are in this business environment, is invaluable! Thank you so much Guy! I looked for where to send a super chat or a donation but I couldn't find it. You should create a Patron or something.

[@arquivosbackup1720]

👍This "guy" is the best!

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Good idea!

[@user-gl9tt9kq7o]

man, being in tune with this sort of a show must be hard. mad respect for persevering through this, you're a pro.

[@FatNorthernBigot]

This is an unexpected peek-behind-the-curtains. Thank you!

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

enjoy

[@markaven5249]

I thought id be rolling my eyes at you making tense high strings everywhere but the direction you took it is actually really original and creative

[@leecourington2536]

Hugely inspiring to see Guy doing actual work on a real show - thank you. Humbly, I reckon I could do this job, but I hear so many stories about the extremely short timeframes to turnaround music for tv and film that it terrifies me. So further kudos, for bravely pushing forward in the screen composer world. Happy to take feedback on how composers handle the timeframes and keep sane.

[@randallharp7010]

Thanks so much for sharing your process. Changing the meter is such a simple but powerful "hack". I've had the pleasure of scoring a few short films (under 20 minutes), and was really challenged to sync key hits with action. When I get another scoring opportunity, I'll remember this little trick!

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Yup saves a lot of time

[@ayMillmusic]

Big respect for the detailed work that composers do!

[@freshnelly]

That was pure magic! I have done a bit of this myself so appreciate the amount of work it is, but also how fun and rewarding it can be. I have never seen anyone else do this so was thrilled to watch how professional you are Guy!

[@dr.gregoryf.maassen2637]

Oh my, now I have to watch the show to see (hear) everything you have done to bring the animation to the next level. Excellent tutorial.

[@jmillerstudios4007]

I love this realistic talk/advice about what should be expected and what your expectations should be going into this side of composition!

[@ericheiberg3310]

This may be the best thing I’ve seen you do. Nice Work !!! There is nothing that beats the credibility of seeing actual work, and feeling like you’re getting an honest behind the scenes look at the real deal. Thank you Soooo much for sharing this !

[@elliottblum7925]

This is my dream job. Thank you for sharing this

[@sicmusic112]

Thanks Guy. Appreciate your time on this stuff!!! What a fun gig! Congrats!

[@georgedewhurst1155]

Man I loved this so much, thank you for letting us into your process and how it can work. I am two years into my writing/studio ownership career and i found this so helpful and really enjoyable to watch. Ive subscribed and can't wait to catch more content. Hopefully catch you in a session one day!

[@FalseKing98]

perfect timing for me as i'm just about to start scoring my animated short for my masters degree. very helpful and amazing as always, Guy!

[@chrisgates7756]

Brilliant. Thanks for taking the time to show us in so much detail. Seriously great work!

[@64guatemala]

Thanks, Guy. You are such a blessing 😊! Thank you so much for sharing all of your experience and talent.

[@GavinNellist]

Great video as always and btw congratulations on the gig, really great to see how you’re capable of so many genres which is also encouraging for beginners, showing that you don’t have to write just one style of music.

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

It was real fun but hard work!

[@funw3d538]

Love this "behind the scenes" stuff of an actual show! More please...

[@AlmaLibreStudios]

Your videos are so invaluable...thank you so much for taking the time to produce them. You are a magnificent composer and a humble, wise human being. Very glad I found your channel a while back!

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Thank you very kind

[@ruuts5827]

Fantastic stuff! I appreciate how much effort you put into explaining everything!

[@wrightstuffmusic]

Absolutely loving this Guy and it is so valuable for myself and my students. Thank you!

[@BOBO102]

I can't believe such a valuable resource like yourself is freely available. absolutely fascinating, thank you!

[@andreasheierre8915]

My 6 y daughter watched this show the other day, and all of a sudden a familiar name popped up on the credits! -Gotta check out this show, I thought. An boom - you made a great video about it! Thanx a lot! :)

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Ha! You're welcome

[@SaschaB82]

This was so fantastic to watch, thank you for taking the time to share!

[@Lifesofmiracles]

We need more of this! Really really grateful for making this video and posting it here! 😊

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

I'll do my best - getting material whitelisted aint always easy!

[@Alexmfry]

This is by far one of the coolest videos ive seen in a long time. Tickled my music brain

[@LindaMissad]

Love this, Guy! It's very interesting to see how you do this. Thanks for showing the details.

[@lscstudio]

I really love this format ! I would love to see more of the hands on behind the scene look at actual projects and the work through of it! Please keep doing these! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

do my best

[@Blitterbug]

Great! Project breakdowns like this are fascinating, Guy.

[@davidnewton2598]

Excellent video. Thanks for this behind the scenes peek. Sounds fantastic too!

[@BHAUmusic]

Lovely video! Thank you for sharing your work process and insights. Background scoring is a totally different game than regular music production. I can relate with a lot of techniques that you utilise in your work. Although it feels super overwhelming at times, the final product with all the elements is totally worth the effort. Looking forward to more videos from you! Subscribed! 🦋

[@prodbyjm248]

This whole process is incredibly interesting to see in depth. An amazing video

[@sjwilli1972]

Thank you Guy for your enthusiasm and knowledge. You have helped my continuing sonic journey. I have no chance of getting to your level, but I refound my love for creating original music.

[@GeorgeStClairComposer]

Love this - really enjoyed watching your process, thank you sir!

[@cauefernandes5931]

Thanks for sharing this amazing work with us guy.

[@andy-campbell-music]

Absolutely loved this kind of behind the scenes content for scoring animation (presumably scoring film is along the same lines) Great content as always. Would love to see more of this kind of stuff!

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Feature films and full length documentaries you score one cue at a time - the end to end strategy is definitely for fast turnover stuff like episodic animation

[@Ambienfinity]

Brilliant to see how you work in real time. Thanks.

[@amajorkeys]

This is so amazing man!. Love your videos 🙏🏽🙏🏽💥

[@ericboone1318]

Great video! My 7yr old daughter just started watching Kitti Katz last week. I'll pay attention to the score when she is watching it now that I know you were behind it! Cheers!

[@gigabruzinho]

This is great to see the scenes without and with the music to catch how it can be hard to do it 😊 ! You did very well 👌🏼 Thanks 🙏🏼

[@dominic.isidore]

I seriously look up to you! This is amazing!

[@austinholsonback7023]

Love these kinds of videos! Would love to see more of these!

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

I have to clear them with the network and get the channel whitelisted first so it takes some organising!

[@nigelpalmer1]

Just Wow ! Thank you Guy !

[@Guiguy]

Thank you so much for this video. It is so instructive to witness this process with your explanations.

[@jimrogers7425]

Wow!! What a great peak behind the curtain of scoring for animation. Oddly enough, just this morning I had Carl Stalling's Merry Melodies tunes going through my head in the jukebox of my mind, so this video is very timely indeed. As always, Guy, you never cease to amaze me with your well-developed skills along with your cheeky banter. Lovely video, my friend! Cheers!

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Thank you! Stalling vs Scott Bradley? I go Bradley every time

[@scm_mymidilifecrisis]

Very informative, Guy!! Thanks for posting, and I'd love more like this.

[@Ebi_J]

Wow, I am so happy that I now have this BTS insight into how all of this happens. Thank you very much.

[@celticdistortion]

Awesome video Guy!! Im very much at the beginning of music production..its more of a hobby tbh!! But these videos really help break down the process! Apreciate all your hard work!!! 💯💯💯

[@nicolesproducerpack]

Please do more videos like this! And more for games? Love your vids 😍

[@limayesus]

Great video Guy! Please put out more of these actual scoring tutorials of more of your recent projects like you did in the past with that Lasssie scoring tutorial, those action scene scoring tutorials and a few more. keep 'em coming! Cheers!

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Love to if I can get the networks to whitelist me which Netflix did - thank you netflix!

[@michaelyolch79]

TRULY FASCINATING! Thank you SO MUCH for a glimpse into this world! So captivating! And you’ve done an astonishing job!

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

very kind thank you

[@Bormeth]

This truly a golden nugget!! Thanks for sharing 😁 You surely got a new subscriber

[@JamieGraceProductions]

This is my dream job!!! Definitely subscribing!!

[@TheGazzadj]

That was fascinating Guy, so creative and a wonderful insight as to how you approach scoring an animation. Thanks for that. Rgds Gary

[@joshuaclaytonsmith]

Such a great look at scoring, thanks!

[@reginaldd.paperstacks194]

This was fascinating thank you

[@deepbreath7228]

Your work is always so inspiring Mr Guy. Amazing.

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Thank you

[@isaacgem2644]

I love your style man

[@jonasbalzer]

Thank you so much for this! love you and all the great Videos that you have put out recently!

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

thanks

[@warnutztheloser]

Amazing work a masterpiece

[@dutch90skid70]

Very informative and a great indepth look. I'm at the end of the production company sending the Netflix production to a sound technician, so I know what I have to prepare and what I have to do once everything is delivered, but you rarely get a peek inside the kitchen ;)

[@chequeredpatterns3151]

Thank you so much for sharing this

[@Sector7S]

Fantastic as always!

[@fabiobarreiro]

Wow....that's hard work...with a lot of creativity. Mr. Guy, congratulations 👏👏👏👏👏

[@boxiedog]

As soon as the School intro music played, I instantly heard Grange Hill in my head! Excellent insight. Thanks for your genius

[@micahfarmerfilms]

I do a lot of the same concepts as an editor. When I have people send me projects, sometimes they don't really have a lot of direction with it. I start off by going through all the audio (sound bites, stems, main track) and visual (A roll and B roll) to see what I'm working with. I then will note out points that add to the video and stuff that is just boring and lose attention. Next I build up the sequences and focus on how each section adds to the full sequence. A lot of brainstorming and communicating to get the final product out. Thanks for sharing!

[@jorisguitars]

Very cool to see, thanks! Would love to see a livestream while you are working on one of these episodes just to see the creative progress.

[@McAlby]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge! I enjoy watching your videos and learning from them. Cheers!

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

thank you!

[@grantmoon689]

Thanks for this Guy. Massively interested in seeing all the theory put into commercial practice like this. Cheers.

[@compozly]

Fantastic video Guy!

[@schulbus13]

incredibly interesting! tysm for the insights

[@JamesRamboPearce]

This is such incredibly useful information!

[@markelvinstudio]

Guy - you make some awesome tutorials, but imo, this video is one of the best. It is so useful and informative. Thank you.

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Youre very welcome

[@markelvinstudio]

I found it really enlightening when you explained the timings I.e. one episode =22 minutes of music which = approx 1 week of work. So often I see YT videos that give the impression these pieces are composed/ mixed/ delivered in an afternoon......this leaves people like me feeling helpless not being able to compose like that. But your comments reassure me that this process, if done properly, takes time!

[@boriss.861]

Thank you Guy so much for this lifting the lid somewhat. You and Christian help to give an understanding of what goes on to put music fx to film.

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

You're welcome!

[@angel006a]

The beat bar change is an amazing trick. And I'm surprised, I thought that an OST included several musical themes that were used for each particular situation with different variations.

[@EdwinvandenAkker]

Again, I'm very impressed. I just watched a little bit of the video on Netflix. A bit weird to hear the Dutch voices. So, switched to the original English. Thanks for sharing and explaining how you work. It's very inspiring!

[@THEJO.E]

Amazing!! Thank you. I'm about to work on an animation soon. I'm taken notes

[@marklondon2008]

Love the chase and transition at 17.00. Exhausting coming up with so many themes.

[@PlusIV]

this was soo cool to check out!

[@nebulka-]

love what a beautiful and joyful human being you are mate

[@bluestringmusic]

Very interesting to see how animations get scored. Thank you !

[@johnhawkinshawkins1284]

excellent! most revealing and enlightening! thank you.

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

great!

[@wyshwood]

That's a heck of a workload. Great to see the process. More, please.

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

Yup animation is a hamster wheel

[@wyshwood]

@@ThinkSpaceEducation I've only ever experienced writing music to animation in games, short cut scenes, and full pieces for game play. Cartoons sound intense and very demanding. I do hope it rewards you well.

[@jonathanparham]

the meter change explanations are helpful

[@fortissimoX]

Thank you for sharing a part of your process! This was very informative!

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

you're welcome

[@frankvaleron]

I was watching Kitti Katz with my daughter and I saw your name pop up on the credits. Synthtastic score

[@MikeMusicMaking]

Great video! This was really fascinating, thank you! I would like to learn more about how the sound effects are made!

[@MilkShake]

Best music score teacher ever 🎉

[@andyhardwickmusiccomposer]

What a fantastic insight - brilliant stuff!

[@ThinkSpaceEducation]

:)

[@fredericauger2436]

Great idea to share this!

[@danaholland1491]

This is the next level for a music producer in my opinion

[@OfficialDopemask]

very interesting watch !

[@gustavost86]

Awesome! ❤

[@dancouper2024]

You rock Guy !! ❤

[@ZachSprowls]

This is so excellent. Thanks for making it! If you're down for requests, I'd love to know how you made the sounds, beats, etc., i.e. what synths, samples, loops, live players, etc. you used.

[@shawnstevens3848]

I would really love to learn to get into this! I’m very familiar with scoring on Logic Pro. I’d love to learn how to do this for a living! Amazing and fun.

[@zakur0hako]

This is awesome i wish i could watch something like this two years ago when i got a chance to compose for a small tv show. It was a nightmare to do that without any tv/movie scoring background

[@marcusc.nordin5624]

I actually had to go on netflix and watch the whole episode haha. Great stuff Guy! 😊