“Music in film is the soul of the story” Interview in Melómano Digita

Rubén Gallardo, recognized as Best Composer at the New York International Films Infest Festival 2024, shared in an interview with Melómano Digital his thoughts on the essential role of the soundtrack in an audiovisual production. For the creator, music should not be understood as a mere accompaniment, but as a fundamental narrative element capable of guiding the audience’s emotions and providing a depth that the image alone cannot achieve.

“Music is the soul of the story,” he states, emphasizing that a film can completely change its impact depending on the musical approach used.

He also spoke about the challenges of his daily work and the importance of establishing smooth communication with directors. As he explains, his method consists of getting involved from the earliest stages of the project to precisely understand the emotional universe of each character. In this way, he can build a coherent soundtrack that does not overshadow the image, but rather drives each scene organically.

On the interview, the composer described his experience in Mirror Stacy, a short film that was particularly demanding from an emotional standpoint. To reflect the protagonist’s inner duality, Gallardo turned to a combination of piano, strings, and synthesizers, creating a sonic contrast between the intimate and the dreamlike that helped reinforce the narrative. The musician highlights that this type of project allows him to explore new languages and expand the boundaries of film composition.

The creator also revealed part of his professional agenda for the coming months. Among his ongoing works is Breaking Character, created in 2025, a short film set in the 1980s in which music will play a particularly evocative role. This is joined by new productions in Spain, as well as collaborations on international projects in cities such as Los Angeles and Sydney.

Gallardo acknowledges that, although film music often goes unnoticed by the average viewer, its true function lies precisely in that discretion: to accompany without invading, to move without imposing, and to reinforce the story without distracting from it. His approach, increasingly valued within the industry, consolidates him as a figure to watch in today’s musical and cinematic landscape.

You can read the full interview here. (available only in spanish)