Dominic Lewis, composer of the Peter Rabbit animated film score, in a promotional image.
The Peter Rabbit animated film, brought to life by Sony Pictures Animation, charmed audiences with its fresh take on Beatrix Potter’s beloved stories. A key element in the film’s success is its vibrant and engaging score, crafted by composer Dominic Lewis. In an interview prior to the film’s release, Lewis discussed his creative process and the unique musical landscape he built for this live-action/animation hybrid.
Lewis, known for his diverse portfolio ranging from Disney XD’s Duck Tales to Amazon’s The Man in High Castle, brought a distinctive approach to the Peter Rabbit animated film. His previous work includes scoring animated features like Free Birds (Annie Award nomination) and contributing to scores for major animated hits such as Rio, How to Train Your Dragon, and Big Hero 6 alongside renowned composers. This experience in both animation and live-action scoring proved invaluable in creating the sound for Peter Rabbit.
Crafting the Score: Band Meets Orchestra for Peter Rabbit
When discussing his process for scoring the Peter Rabbit animated film, Lewis revealed a fascinating blend of musical styles. He started with a modern band setup – drums, bass, guitar, pianos, and organs – to establish a contemporary feel. However, to capture the “big and British and epic” quality desired by director Will Gluck, Lewis layered a full orchestra on top. This combination of band and orchestra became the cornerstone of the score, representing the duality of the film itself.
The band elements inject a sense of freshness and modernity, appealing to contemporary audiences and reflecting the updated humor and pacing of the Peter Rabbit animated film. Conversely, the orchestra provides a nod to the classic heritage of Beatrix Potter’s stories, grounding the score in a rich, traditional soundscape that evokes the timeless charm of the source material. This deliberate fusion created a unique sonic identity perfectly suited for the film’s hybrid nature.
Animation Scoring Techniques in a Live-Action Hybrid
While Peter Rabbit is not purely an animated movie, its blend with live-action elements meant Lewis approached the scoring with an “animation mode” mindset. He explained that this involved a more precise approach compared to traditional live-action scoring. In animation, music often plays a crucial role in highlighting comedic beats and slapstick moments, a technique sometimes referred to as “Mickey Mousing.”
For the Peter Rabbit animated film sequences and comedic moments, Lewis utilized these animation scoring techniques to enhance the humor and energy. However, he also balanced this with broader, more atmospheric musical strokes typical of live-action films, ensuring the score served the overall story and emotional arc, rather than just hitting every visual gag. This nuanced approach allowed the music to be both playful and emotionally resonant.
A Love for Animation and Orchestral Experimentation
Lewis openly shared his passion for animation as his favorite genre to work in. Being classically trained and with a deep love for the orchestra, he finds animation to be a uniquely liberating space for orchestral writing. He noted that animation offers more opportunities for experimentation and pushing the boundaries of orchestral scores compared to many live-action projects.
This enthusiasm for orchestral animation scores was evident in his work on the Peter Rabbit animated film. Lewis emphasized his initial creative process of developing the main themes on piano, ensuring they were strong and adaptable before arranging them for the full band and orchestra. This meticulous approach highlights his dedication to crafting memorable and impactful scores, particularly within the animation genre. While he enjoys all types of film scoring, Lewis expressed a particular desire to work on live-action fantasy films like Harry Potter or Fantastic Beasts, where he could further explore and showcase his orchestral talents.
In conclusion, Dominic Lewis’s score for the Peter Rabbit animated film is a testament to his versatility and skill as a composer. By expertly blending modern band elements with traditional orchestral sounds and embracing animation scoring techniques within a live-action context, he created a soundtrack that is both contemporary and classic, perfectly capturing the spirit of Peter Rabbit. Filmgoers are encouraged to experience the delightful synergy of visuals and music in the Peter Rabbit animated film.
