TV & Movies
Music is a character in her shows, Alexandra Patsavas says of working with Shonda Rhimes.
TheBridgertonprequel,Queen Charlotte, is still reigning over the streaming charts.
But it’s a testament to the storytelling.
Music doesn’t stand on its own.
Music supervisors are creating a listenable companion piece.
She then worked in thefilm and TV department at the rights management company BMIuntil 1994.
I didn’t know music supervision existed, she says.
One of Patsavas longest collaborations has been with Shonda Rhimes.
Music is a character in her shows, she says.
InGrey’s, it had a very handknit feel.
Many songs were almost used as a score that tied many scenes together, Patsavas says.
Every single project I work on with Shondaland begins with: What will the music be?
How was working onQueen Charlottedifferent from the previousBridgertonseasons?
What kind of research did you have to do?
Queen Charlotte was known for beinga lover of music and a big proponent of the arts.
When in the production process do you finalize which songs youre going to use?
Because SZAs song Nobody Gets Me came out fairly recently.
That was one of the last covers that was selected.
I have early access to the scripts and can really absorb the story.
We have a lot of creative conversations, and then a lot of music starts flying back and forth.
Some of the songs were chosen quite early in the process.
And I’d be remiss not to acknowledge [composer]Kris Bowers, who composed a stunning score.
Yeah, I really loved the piece he did for the wedding.
That’s an original song that he wrote with Tayla Parx.
That’s one of my favorites.
How do you keep yourself well-versed in different types of music?
Are there any genres you arent drawn to?
To enjoy music supervision, you have to be seduced by all genres.
One of the best parts of this job is that you’re always exploring.
It seemed like thosecovers of iconic pop songsmade a lot of sense.
The audience wouldn’t necessarily hear the lyrics but would recognize the songs.
What does yourSpotify Wrappedlook like at the end of the year?
It looks like a non-focused individual.
It’s all over the place.
What do you enjoy listening to when you arent doing research?
I love Dusty Springfield, Motown, of course Beyonce.
No, I don’t think it’s a moment.
I think it’s the realization of the kinds of projects I had the opportunity to work on.
Speaking of Snow Patrol,Greyshelped launchthe band and Chasing Cars into the mainstreamin 2006.
They were definitely excited to be part of the show.
It’s a ballad, and radio in those years was not ballad focused.
It was more uptempo.
And I remember the pivot.
That’s the most rewarding stuff.
This interview was edited and condensed for clarity.
This article was originally published onJune 13, 2023
