The Magic Behind Wicked's Defying Gravity

February 06, 2025 - 11:00 PM

In this exclusive video, we explore Wicked’s emotional song, “Defying Gravity,” featuring performances by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. We examine the various sonic and musical themes crafted by the sound and music team and highlight several pivotal moments in the song.

Featuring Picture Editor Myron Kerstein, Composer John Powell, Re-Recording Mixer Andy Nelson, Re-Recording Mixer, Sound Designer and Supervising Sound Editor John Marquis, Supervising Sound Editor and Sound Designer Nancy Nugent Title, Production Sound Mixer Simon Hayes and Supervising Music Editor Jack Dolman.

MOVIE STUDIO

Universal Pictures

DIRECTOR

Jon M. Chu

ORIGINAL MUSIC

John Powell & Stephen Schwartz

Synopsis

Elphaba, a misunderstood young woman because of her green skin, and Galinda, a popular girl, become friends at Shiz University in the Land of Oz. After an encounter with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads.

Sound Credits

David Bach ... dialogue editor

Tom Barrow ... sound mixer: second unit

Malte Bieler ... sound designer

Emily Compton ... third assistant sound

Jack Cucci ... foley artist

John T. Cucci ... foley artist

Jack Dolman supervising music editor

Taz Fairbanks ... second assistant sound

Arthur Fenn ... key first assistant sound

Zak Ferguson ... third assistant sound: splinter unit

Geraldo Gutierrez ... re-recording mix technician: Nearfield

Roderick Hart ... epk sound recordist

Billy Hayes ... second assistant sound: second unit

Simon Hayes ... production sound mixer

Jake Hickey ... second assistant sound: second unit

Alan Hill ... additional sound mixer: second unit

Ben Jeffes ... key first assistant sound: second unit

Lauren Johnson ... sound editorial engineer

Robin Johnson ... first assistant sound

Brandon Jones ... additional sound designer

Leilani Jones ... audio description narrator

Esther Kim ... first assistant sound effects editor

Harry King ... third assistant sound

Daniel Leigh ... third assistant sound

Max Lipscombe ... boom operator

John Marquis ... re-recording mixer and sound designer and supervising sound editor

Ryan Murphy ... re-recording mix stage engineer

Andy Nelson ... re-recording mixer

Simon Norman ... sound mixer: splinter unit

Nancy Nugent Title ... supervising sound editor and sound designer

Dan O'Connell ... foley artist: One Step Up

Erick Ocampo ... additional sound designer

Jason Oliver ... adr mixer

Jessie Pariseau ... foley supervisor

Mikel Parraga-Wills ... foley mixer: One Step Up

Spyros Poulos ... promotional sound mixer

Jeffrey Roy ... adr mixer

Jamie Scott ... third assistant sound: second unit

Ashley Sinani ... first assistant sound: second unit

Unsun Song ... re-recording mix technician

John C. Stuver ... dialogue editor

Tim Walston ... sound designer

Josh Winslade ... On-set protools music editor

Original Soundtracks Film Sound Profile