As the New Year dawns, it’s a time for reflection on the year gone by and an opportunity to chart our course for the year ahead. January 2025 marks six months since Overtone officially launched, and what a whirlwind it’s been! From collaborating with incredible clients and creatives to trying our hand at filmmaking and celebrating career milestones, this year has been one for the books. Here’s a look back at some of our highlights.
Producing Our Promotional Launch Film
Our Overtone Promo Video holds a special place in our hearts—not just as a project, but as a bold leap into filmmaking. Now the centerpiece of our website, it tells our story in a way we’ve never done before.
From the outset, we wanted a film that introduced us as a company and as individuals. Audio post-production often keeps us behind the scenes, refining sound in dark rooms. This film was our chance to step into the spotlight and share our passion for sound and music. Shot across locations like our Manchester and London studios, the National Film and Television School, and the stunning Peak District, the video showcases the breadth of our work: composing, sound editing, live music sessions, mixing, foley, and field recording—interwoven with highlights from our portfolio.
One of the most rewarding aspects was assembling a fantastic team. As first-time directors and producers, we were fortunate to collaborate with talented professionals like cinematographers Helena Gonzales and Tom Sassi (Grain Media), editor Harry Foster, and colourist Nathaniel Skeels (The Sh.0p). Their expertise brought depth, professionalism, and personality to every meticulously planned shot.
We also loved exploring what the “sound” of Overtone could be. Inspired by the harmonic series (from which our name derives), we created signature pads and textures, weaving these into a bespoke soundtrack. While the music drives the film, we wanted the sound design to accentuate significant story beats, control the extent of the diegetic-ness of our on-screen presence and create a new dimension of our existing portfolio within the context of our story. It was a fantastic journey from start to finish making our launch promotion film, and we are incredibly proud of the final result. If you haven’t seen it, simply head to www.overtonepost.com, and it’s the first thing you will see!
We also loved exploring what the “sound” of Overtone could be. Inspired by the harmonic series (from which our name derives), we created signature pads and textures, weaving these into a bespoke soundtrack.
Project Highlights
Despite being a new company, we’ve been fortunate enough to work with some very exciting new clients as well as ongoing work with existing clients. Our work has spanned commercials across various mediums, from corporate branded content to cinematic video game trailers and everything in between. Some standout collaborations include working alongside ICHI on commercials for Zynga and PlayStation, teaming up with production company Loudmouth on their delicate and moving film WhyMe, and collaborating with our first international client, Eisprung Animation Studio – to name a few.
Winter Is Coming
One of last year’s standout projects was working on the launch trailer for Game of Thrones: Legends. From the outset, we knew it would be epic. The gripping story, the brilliant cast (including Kit Harington), and the iconic Game of Thrones brand made this an incredibly exciting project to be part of.
We relished the opportunity to create densely layered sound design and compose a bespoke score that seamlessly aligned with both the TV show’s score and the in-game soundtrack. Adding to the thrill, we had access to sound and score assets from the series itself. Jake incorporated dragon roars and White Walker sound effects—originally designed by the brilliant Paula Fairfield, a personal inspiration to him—into his sound design, while Jack worked with Ramin Djawadi’s legendary Game of Thrones theme, blending it with a bespoke composition.
This epic, cinematic project gave us the chance to fully immerse ourselves in building a rich fantasy world. It was a creative highlight and undoubtedly one of the most memorable and enjoyable projects of the year.
Milestones
2024 also brought personal career achievements:
- Jake traveled to Los Angeles for the Emmys, where the True Detective: Night Country sound team was nominated for Outstanding Sound Editing.
- Jack won the Production Music Award for Best Fantasy Trailer Track with Cometa, co-composed with Matteo Tronchin.
We’re incredibly proud of these milestones and can’t wait to see what the future holds.
In Summary
Overall, 2024 was a wild ride; looking back to the start of the year, it’s amazing to see how far we’ve come – from initial meetings about starting this venture, to formally launching Overtone and working with amazing clients and unforgettable brands. There have been plenty of ups and downs, setbacks and unexpected twists, but we’ve enjoyed the journey, and it’s left us eager for what will come in 2025.
Despite all the uncertainty of the film industry, advances in artificial intelligence and an ever-changing and unpredictable world, we’re optimistic about the future. The possibilities for experimentation in sound and music are only expanding, and we’re looking forward to being bolder and more ambitious with our ideas. While we’re pushing boundaries creatively, we’re also aiming high: one of our big goals is to join the Advertising Producers Association (APA) to align Overtone with the industry’s leading companies in the commercial space. We are also excited at the prospect of being a member of ‘Little Black Book’, a collective of creatives in the commercial and advertising space.
Since launching, we’ve met a wonderful community of like-minded people from all walks of life who continue to inspire, guide and challenge us every day. We’re looking forward to continuing to collaborate with clients, old and new, and helping to tell new and exciting stories through sound and music.
Thank you to all our supporters, collaborators and friends – here’s to an excellent 2025.
