Soundtracking with Edith Bowman 580: Bradley Cooper On The Music Of 'Is This Thing On'
Jan 26, 2026
Bradley Cooper, actor-director-writer-producer behind A Star Is Born and Maestro, discusses directing and co-writing Is This Thing On. He talks about finding the film’s rhythmic heart from a drumbeat, using vocal stems and Under Pressure motifs, choosing minimal score to leave space, needle-drop choices, and operating the camera while directing.
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Let Location Discoveries Drive Choices
- Trust discovery during location and daily life to shape creative choices rather than forcing ideas early.
- Use found rhythms or moments to inform shooting and scoring decisions.
Rhythm First, Score Later
- Bradley Cooper discovered the film's musical identity from a Lunar New Year lion drumbeat at his daughter's school assembly.
- That rhythmic moment shaped the film's pace and guided shooting and editing choices.
Hidden Theme From A Familiar Song
- Cooper and composer James Newberry used manipulated vocal stems of 'Under Pressure' as a subtle throughline across the film.
- The slowed, pitched voices underpin the score and culminate in the final song choice.