Interview: Music Editor Sally Boldt & Production Mixer Justin Pearson On How They Made Everything Sound Stunning in ‘Soul’

In Disney and Pixar’s “Soul,” Joe Gardner is a middle-school band teacher whose life hasn’t quite gone the way he expected. His true passion is playing jazz, and his dedication to his dream is steadfast—he lives alone in his Queens apartment, immersing himself in his music, and when he does venture out, he spends most of his time talking about jazz. But when he finds himself in another realm helping someone else find their passion, he discovers what it truly means to have “Soul.” Directed by Academy Award® winner Pete Docter, co-directed by Kemp Powers and produced by Academy Award® nominee Dana Murray, p.g.a., “Soul” opens in U.S. theaters on November 20, 2020. ©2020 Disney/Pixar. All rights reserved.

by Max Joseph March 9, 2021, 9:00 am

A few months ago, Pixar released its latest work of art in the animated effort Soul. Recently, I had the honor to chat with two of the brilliant artists who worked on it in Sally Boldt and Justin Pearson. They go deep into the process of what it took to make this thing sound as stunning as it does, as well as what it’s like to work for what is arguably the greatest animation studio on the planet!

Enjoy this conversation I had with Soul‘s Sally Boldt and Justin Pearson!