SOUNDTRACK PROJECT
Storytelling partnership between the Memphis Chamber and the Memphis SymphonyCelebrating small business in Memphis through a unique business + arts partnership
The Greater Memphis Chamber sought to promote twin, seemingly unrelated aspects of their storied city: its diverse small-business landscape, and an artistic depth in performing arts beyond rock and blues.
We created The Soundtrack Project, a multi-part video series that profiled engaging entrepreneurs while tapping members of the city’s strong symphony orchestra as partners.
For each film, symphony composers took an active role in the creative process, joining our team for interviews and filming. The result is vernacular scores that truly reflected the personalities of each business and business owner, from the laconic outlook of a cattle farmer to the emotional journey to American citizenship.
The project received Emmy Awards for writing and editing, a silver national ADDY Award, and an honorable mention from TED Talks’ global “Ads Worth Spreading” competition, honoring the most innovative forms of storytelling in advertising.
Client: Memphis Chamber of Commerce
The Soundtrack Project began as a partnership between the Memphis Chamber of Commerce and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra to highlight both the strength of the Memphis arts community and breadth of the local small business community. “These multimedia movements serve as both a local point of pride and as a snapshot of Memphis’s business community for a global audience,” said John Moore, president and CEO, Greater Memphis Chamber. “You really get a sense of the authentic and determined spirit of Memphis’ small business owners when you watch each video.”
Role: Cinematographer, Producer and Editor
Filmed and edited by Lance Murphey. Written and produced by John Hubbell. Original scores by Jonathan Kirkscey, Robert Patterson and Marshall Fine, performed by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. Additional editing by Running Pony. Recorded at Music + Arts Studio, mixed by Kevin Houston.
Role: Cinematographer, Producer and Editor
Filmed and edited by Lance Murphey. Written and produced by John Hubbell. Original scores by Jonathan Kirkscey, Robert Patterson and Marshall Fine, performed by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. Additional editing by Running Pony. Recorded at Music + Arts Studio, mixed by Kevin Houston.
Entrepreneurial spirit in Memphis
The final product was a series of eight documentary shots that capture the entrepreneurial spirit in Memphis, and a 30-minute version of the project that aired on the local PBS affiliate. The videos were shown to the entire Memphis business community in a packed theater with a live accompaniment by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra.