NFS: Hello Denise! Netflix has created a number of glorious travelogue exhibits, however I Love Filipino appears like an particularly distinctive alternative to showcase a selected tradition for a worldwide viewers. What does it imply to you as a Filipina lady to be part of such a present?
Denise Santos: I completely agree. I Love Filipino captured one thing so particular about Filipino tradition and went past what is usually recognized about us. This has been a kind of initiatives the place I used to be capable of present up as authentically as I can. I used to be born and raised within the Philippines and have lived in Los Angeles for 11 years now. It was a possibility for me to embrace my heritage and my roots whereas combining them with the coaching I’ve had in Hollywood. It meant much less second-guessing and easily BEING me—translating my genuine self into the music.
NFS: Are you able to inform us about your key inventive concerns in shaping the rating for the sequence, and the way you labored to include components of Filipino tradition?
DS: Once I was nonetheless residing and dealing within the Philippines, I had the possibility to document samples of native Filipino devices for movies I scored early in my profession. The principle inventive idea for I Love Filipino’s rating was to create a transparent hybrid of Filipino music with modern pop and movie rating music. So lastly, this was my probability to make the most of these samples that had been sitting in my exhausting drive for therefore lengthy! Assume gongs, bamboo percussion, and bamboo flute combined with beats, guitars, and orchestra. I carried out loads of the guitar components myself, but it surely was additionally actually necessary for me to get Filipino musicians concerned. So within the rating, you’ll additionally hear Ling Lava (who additionally wrote extra music) and Anjelo Alonte on guitar, Ida Anita del Mundo on violin, Maria Corazon Reyes on viola, and Giancarlo Castrillo Gonzales on cello.
Denis Santos Credit score: John Atchley
NFS: Are there any distinctive devices or instruments that you simply used for the rating?
DS: It is a very small element, however I created my very own shaker utilizing raw rice inside an previous tablet bottle. A former colleague confirmed me this trick years in the past, and I believed it could be excellent to copy for this rating, particularly within the episodes that includes meals. I additionally used a spoon and fork (tapping them in opposition to one another) as a further percussive sound. A giant a part of the Filipino consuming expertise entails these three issues: rice, spoon, and fork—and I wished to be somewhat meta, have enjoyable with these sounds, and incorporate them into the rating.
I additionally used a two-stringed Filipino lute known as a hegalong that was custom-built for me by a good friend within the Philippines. It has this actually attention-grabbing metallic sound and suits superbly within the combine when used for a lead melody. I’ve used it in non-Filipino initiatives earlier than as a rhythmic component, however this time it actually bought to shine because the lead as a result of it was such a pure match for the context of the present.
NFS: I’m interested in your background as an in-house composer in Hans Zimmer’s firm, Bleeding Fingers. Do you may have any favourite reminiscences from that have, and did you study something that you simply proceed to make use of in your musical method in the present day?
DS: I’ve so many nice reminiscences there! Profitable an Emmy throughout my time there was positively one in all them. However that was simply the icing on the cake. The cake was the small, day-to-day interactions I had with my former colleagues. It’s such a uncommon alternative to be in the identical house as among the finest within the business, and to expertise their firm whereas navigating the challenges of the job. It was a pool of expertise, assets, and inspiration that I bought to swim in day by day.
One among my favourite reminiscences is solely strolling down the halls and listening to muffled bits and items of music coming from the totally different rooms. That feeling and power are irreplaceable.
One other favourite reminiscence is once we would share meals collectively. Oftentimes, it was simply us goofing round for some comedian aid, however some days we’d spend that point sharing concepts, ideas, technical discoveries, and extra. I’ve made so many lifelong associates there—to not point out that’s the place I met my husband, who’s a really proficient composer himself!
I realized a lot throughout my time there. I take into account it the Grasp’s in Movie Scoring I used to be by no means capable of take. I realized the fragile artwork of writing themes and crafting massive musical and sonic concepts to raise a rating. Each venture we labored on pushed us to assume exterior the field. We had been skilled to all the time take issues a step additional, and that’s a mindset I carry with me now.
NFS: What are the variations between scoring for a journey sequence like I Love Filipino and a nature sequence like Primates or Island of the Sea Wolves?
DS: Since I Love Filipino is a journey sequence with many talking-head moments and fewer narrative components, it gave me extra alternatives to put in writing tracks that would stand on their very own. It felt extra like writing a soundtrack of instrumental songs than a standard musical rating.
In the meantime, nature documentaries like Primates and Island of the Sea Wolves comply with animals of their pure habitats, and people naturally include storylines. Like how they hunt for meals or care for his or her kin. The music I wrote for these exhibits closely supported these narratives and helped transfer the story ahead. For instance, you’ll hear much more begins and stops within the music as we comply with the animals’ totally different actions. In a approach, writing for nature documentaries felt nearer to writing for animation.
NFS: Are there another genres or mediums for which you’d like to compose a rating?
DS: Ah, I really feel like this listing is infinite! I’m at present co-scoring a romcom with my husband, in order that’s lastly off the listing (for now). Past that, I’d completely like to compose for extra dramas and darkish comedies.
Finally, although, the concept of style goes out the window if the story or matter is compelling. For me, all of it begins with whether or not or not I really feel linked to the story, the filmmakers, and the message of the movie. My inventive dream is to have a diverse portfolio with a constant throughline of excellent storytelling and passionate folks behind the work.
NFS: Thanks, Denise! Is there the rest you want to add about I Love Filipino or your profession at massive?
DS: I Love Filipino has been a dream venture and a labor of affection for all of us who labored on it. I hope extra folks world wide get to look at it and really feel the dedication the creators poured into it. It’s out there on Netflix worldwide, and the rating album is out on all music streaming platforms.
As for me, I’m engaged on some thrilling initiatives that I can’t fairly speak about but—however comply with me on Instagram @denthantoth for updates… and cute pics of my canine!
