Sittin' at the Table

by Stephen Berkemeier

We're a team consisting of a trained therapist turned professional media composer and a trained musician turned licensed therapist. Come join us as we dissect our favorite film scores and discuss music, emotions, and psychology!

Podcast episodes

  • Season 1

  • Return of the King (Part 2)

    Return of the King (Part 2)

    In this episode, we review the second half of "The Lord of the Rings Return of the King" (extended edition). Together we break down different lessons young composers can learn from Howard Shore's soundtrack, as well as strategies for applying these lessons in their own music.

  • How Howard Shore Wrote a Masterpiece | Return of the King (Part 1)

    How Howard Shore Wrote a Masterpiece | Return of the King (Part 1)

    In this episode, Stephen and Antonio dive into the iconic music of Lord of the Rings. Together they discuss their favorite scenes, the types of strategies Shore used to write his music, and how composers can turn their soundtracks into masterpieces!

  • Harmonic Storytelling | Creating Emotional Journeys w/ Character Themes

    Harmonic Storytelling | Creating Emotional Journeys w/ Character Themes

    In this episode, Stephen shares a structured approach to composing character themes that feel like an extension of the characters themselves, as well as a strategy for how to adapt them to fit different emotional contexts.

  • Behind the Score: 6 Lessons for Aspiring Film Composers from Princess Mononoke

    Behind the Score: 6 Lessons for Aspiring Film Composers from Princess Mononoke

    In this episode, a therapist and professional film composer each react to their favorite scenes from Princess Mononoke and discuss what young film composers can learn from studying these scenes.

  • Marvel's Magnum Opus: Unraveling the Film Scoring Lessons of Infinity War

    Marvel's Magnum Opus: Unraveling the Film Scoring Lessons of Infinity War

    In this episode, we discuss our favorite scenes from "Avengers: Infinity War." Together we talk about what film composers can learn from studying these scenes, including how character motivations can inform their themes, and how diving deeper to find the emotions of a scene help make the music much more impactful!