Michael Giacchino scores The End of Oak Street

Last fall, Oscar-winning composer Michael Giacchino recorded his score to the new science-fiction adventure thriller The End of Oak Street. Written and directed by David Robert Mitchell and produced by J.J. Abrams, the scoring sessions took place at the Eastwood Scoring Stage at Warner Bros., with a large 78-piece orchestra performing together in the room, and we’re delighted to share our exclusive photos from the sessions with our readers!

Giacchino’s fully orchestral score is thematic, dramatic and exciting, combining large-scale adventure writing with more tender and emotional material.

The film follows the Platt family, led by Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor, after a mysterious cosmic event transports their suburban neighborhood to an unknown and dangerous new environment. As their surroundings become increasingly unrecognizable, the family must remain together to survive. On the stage, Jennifer Hammond conducted a large ensemble of the Hollywood Studio Symphony.

The physical layout of the orchestra was also somewhat unusual. The violins were divided between the left and right sides of conductor Jennifer Hammond’s podium, while the violas and basses were positioned near the center/center right of the stage with the low brass directly behind them. The trumpets were seated on the right, with the woodwinds extending through the center and rear-right portions of the orchestra. French horns on the left behind the strings, and then spanning the entire length of the rear of the stage were the guitars and percussion. On top of that, piano and synth keyboards were supplemented with a rather impressive prepared piano, with an odd assortment of items shoved into the strings to create unique sounds. The arrangement created a distinctive spatial balance across the stage while allowing the entire 78-piece ensemble to perform together in the room.

In the control room, Mitchell remained closely engaged throughout the session, frequently discussing the music and individual cues with Giacchino. When changes were needed, they were made quickly, with lead orchestrator Jeff Kryka adjusting the orchestration on the fly and conductor Jennifer Hammond communicating those revisions directly to the orchestra. The score was recorded and mixed by Warren Brown, while music librarian Booker White oversaw the preparation and distribution of the music.

The End of Oak Street opens in theaters and IMAX on August 14, 2026, and a soundtrack album is available from WaterTower Records.

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