Billboard On The Record How Wicked’s Music Was Reimagined For Film w/ Jon M. Chu & Jack Dolman
Nov 6, 2025
Join director Jon M. Chu, known for his work on hits like Crazy Rich Asians, and music editor Jack Dolman, whose credits include blockbuster films like Kingsman. They delve into the musical adaptation of Wicked, sharing insights on collaborating with Stephen Schwartz and incorporating new songs. Discover the challenges of balancing live vocals with acting performance and the philosophy behind natural transitions in song. Plus, hear their favorite musical moments and the excitement of mixing classic elements with fresh interpretations.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
For Good Is The Emotional Anchor
- 'For Good' functions as the emotional anchor and had to be reframed so it felt new to audiences who've heard it for years.
- John Chu and Jack Dolman built two films to reach that payoff and preserve the song's intimacy.
Schwartz Sent Voice Memos During COVID
- Stephen Schwartz wrote two new songs after John Chu asked for moments to deepen Elphaba and Glinda's arcs in movie two.
- Schwartz sent voice memos and composed quickly, delivering material that moved the filmmakers to tears.
Use A Music Editor To Lock Everything Together
- Do use a dedicated music editor to map where music goes and ensure all musical elements align with the picture cut.
- Distribute tempo maps and collaborate across sound, editing, and composing teams to keep everything in lockstep.
