Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

The Creative Process Behind Jordan Peele's Hit Spotify Audio Series Quiet Part Loud'

12/01/2023

Jordan Peele's Monkeypaw Productions may be best known for its blockbuster horror films Get Out, Us, and Nope, which all deliver incisive takes on the societal and cultural issues that exist in the world. But late last year, the studio forged a new path when it partnered with Spotify for the release of its first scripted audio series, Quiet Part Loud.

With an all-star cast featuring Tracy Letts, Christina Hendricks, Taran Killam, and Arian Moayed, Quiet Part Loud follows the likes of Case 63 and Batman Unburied as the latest Spotify Original scripted audio series. And thanks to its captivating story and immersive sound design, it has also found instant success.

The 12-part audio horror fable centers around main character Rick Eagan (Letts), a demagogue who uses his platform to spread political misinformation, and follows the terrifying effect falsehoods can have on the public. Serving as an examination of the fear, animosity, and divisiveness in American society, Quiet Part Loud was a hit upon its premiere, debuting as the top podcast in the U.S., as well as the top fiction podcast in the U.K. and Sweden.

Providing a deeper look into the creation of the series, Executive Producer Geoff Foster sat down with For the Record to discuss Quiet Part Loud's creative approach and inspirations.

What attracted Jordan Peele, you, and the Monkeypaw team to the idea of creating a fictional audio series in the horror genre? Jordan and Monkeypaw are always excited by new ways to innovate and evolve as storytellers-we are always pushing ourselves to try new things and break old habits. The horror potential in scripted audio was undeniable. It's a very personal medium because you are almost always alone when you are listening to a podcast.

So despite the limitations of not having visuals, it felt like this intimate setting that was ripe for a new brand of horror. I think we were also intrigued by the historical precedent set by Orson Welles and the War of the Worlds radio broadcast in the 1930s, and eager to see what kind of potential was maybe yet to be unlocked for a 21st-century audience. There were obviously many brilliant creative minds already working in audio, but we wanted to see what we could bring to the table to push the medium even further.

What's the biggest or most unexpected difference between creating an audio series and making a movie? The biggest difference is that without visuals, action becomes very difficult. This was definitely something that became more and more evident as we tinkered with the story in the writing phase and again in post-production. There are two big action set pieces in our series, in Episodes 8 and 12, and those two episodes definitely consumed the most time and attention.

Even if you want to do something relatively simple like have someone pick a lock or get punched in the face, it's pretty tricky. You can always use a narrator, but that feels like a crutch. Or you can have the character himself saying, Time to pick this lock now, or Why did you punch me in the face? But that feels inorganic and contrived.

So this distinction really impacts so many choices in the story phase, and often many you might not have thought of. From a horror perspective, it also takes away a lot of your tools in the toolbox. Rather, the scares need to come from the anticipation and dread that precedes a threat. You need to live in the first 70-80 minutes of Jaws before you really see the shark.

How do you think the audio-focused format of podcasts provides a new way of storytelling? I think once you get over the limitations of this format-the lack of visuals, the lack of gorgeous movie stars, etc.-you begin to see that this type of storytelling has unique advantages. It's this strange hybrid that is probably most similar to a stage play. You have a captive, focused audience that hangs onto every word and places a real premium on great dialogue. But unlike a play, it's also similar to TV and film in its pacing, editing, and story structure.

There's also something very freeing in not having to worry about budget or locations or camera setups or special effects or set design. You can be on the surface of the moon one second and on a submarine at the bottom of the ocean the next. You can travel around the world or back in time. There are no limits on any of that. As long as you can create a recognizable soundscape and are diligent about that, you can tell stories that would be otherwise unproducible in film and TV.

Amazing sound design is a hallmark of any great horror film. Do those same techniques work for an audio series like Quiet Part Loud, or did it require a different approach? Well, there are definitely many similarities. Music plays a similar role in setting mood and tone while also priming the audience for scares. And the sound design process for determining what The Blank in Quiet Part Loud sounds like was similar to figuring out what Jean Jacket sounds like in Nope.

But in this medium, the sound design is also doing the work of the camera. It is establishing POV and situating the audience in every scene. It is also doing all the transitions from scene to scene that establishing shots normally do. For a horror show like ours, the sound design is also responsible for the jump scares-and experimenting with how those could work was one of the most fun processes while we were making Quiet Part Loud.

Will there be more podcasts in the future for Monkeypaw Productions? Yes! We definitely want to do more. This is just the beginning.

Ready to experience the suspense of Quiet Part Loud? Stream all 12 episodes now.
LINK: https://newsroom.spotify.com/2023-01-12/the-creative-process-behind-jo...
See more stories from spotify

More from Spotify

30/06/2025

Discover Weekly Turns 10: Celebrating 100 Billion+ Tracks Streamed and a Decade of Personalized Discovery

There's nothing quite like the magic of finding music that feels made just f...

30/06/2025

Spotify's Editors Pick Their Best Songs of the Year (So Far)

When it comes to new music, Spotify's team of editors across North America is always on the hunt for songs that make them feel, think, and move. They're...

27/06/2025

Spotify Launches K-Pop Performance Video Series . . . Next Up, TWS

K-Pop remains one of the biggest genres globally, and many fans just can't get enough of it. That's why Spotify has launched a new series of K-Pop perf...

25/06/2025

VidCon 2025: Top Creators Join Spotify to Discuss the Impact of Video Podcasts

Last week, content creators from all over the world flocked to Anaheim for VidCon 2025, one of the largest creator conferences in the U.S. As an official sponso...

24/06/2025

Spotify at Cannes Lions 2025: The Week's Unmissable Highlights, Star Power, and More

Last week, Spotify returned to the Croisette for our 11th year at the Cannes Lio...

20/06/2025

Glastonbury 2025 Is Calling: Discover Your Next Favorite Artist With Our Personalized Experience

In just a few days, the pilgrimage to Worthy Farm begins. Glastonbury, the legen...

19/06/2025

Miley Cyrus Brings the Party to Paris for Spotify's Billions Club Live-And a Concert Film Is Coming Soon

On Wednesday, Spotify and Miley Cyrus tangoed in Paris during an unforgettable e...

18/06/2025

RADAR Italia Celebrates 5 Years of Success With a New Class of Rising Stars

Since popping up in 2020, RADAR Italia has not only supported emerging artists but also reflected the cultural and musical richness of Italy. Over the past five...

17/06/2025

How South Africa's Gen Zs Are Reshaping Maskandi Culture for a New Era

In South Africa, the rebirth and resurgence of the vibrant folk genre Maskandi has captured the attention of music fans, becoming the country's fastest-grow...

16/06/2025

Spotify's Brian Berner on Creativity, Connection, and What's Next for Advertisers at Cannes Lions

The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is officially underway for...

16/06/2025

Francophone Content on Spotify Continues to Thrive Around the World

On Spotify, francophone content continues to cross borders at an unprecedented rate. In 2024 alone, more than 123 million listeners worldwide streamed audio con...

13/06/2025

Materialists' Director Celine Song Reveals the Inspirations Behind the Film's Soundtrack

Photo credit: Atsushi Nishijima If you're a true lover of rom-coms, chances...

12/06/2025

Spotify's Heart & Soul Initiative Brings Mental Health Support to Artists and Creators Worldwide

In 2018, Spotify launched Heart & Soul, a mental health initiative developed to ...

11/06/2025

Spotify Rolls Out Playlist Cover Art Tool in More Markets and New Languages-Plus, Summer Stickers Are Here

When a music fan creates a playlist on Spotify, it's not just for listening-...

11/06/2025

Spotify i Almedalen 2025: AI, kultur och framtidens kompetenser

Hur s krar vi Europas konkurrenskraft i en tid av snabb teknikutveckling? Och hur rustar vi samh llet f r framtidens kompetensbehov inom AI, tech och kultur? Un...

11/06/2025

ENHYPEN and Spotify Unleash DESIRE' With Immersive Pop-up Experiences in Seoul, Tokyo, and Jakarta

Spotify and ENHYPEN are inviting fans to step inside the world of DESIRE : UNLEA...

10/06/2025

Spotify Ushers in a New Era of Moroccan Pop With 6 Artists Influencing the Scene

A new generation of artists is redefining Morocco's pop music scene, blending their deep-rooted heritage with contemporary influences to create sounds that ...

10/06/2025

Spotify Delivers Growth for the Publishing Industry: Audiobooks Sales Continue to Grow

Since Audiobooks in Premium launched on Spotify in 2023, we've seen strong g...

09/06/2025

Addison Rae Shines Bright at Spotify's Addison' Release Party in NYC

It was Thursday night in New York City and The Box was buzzing with excitement. The edgy nightclub, known for its lavish theatrics, provided the perfect backdro...

06/06/2025

GLOW With Pride: Amplifying LGBTQIA+ Voices on Spotify

Spotify is dedicated to lifting up the voices and contributions of all artists, creators, and authors. This Pride Month and beyond, we're also taking a mome...

06/06/2025

Spotify Beach Is Back for the Annual Cannes Lions Festival

Spotify is heading back to France for the annual Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, and this year we'll showcase how Spotify is more alive t...

05/06/2025

Dua Lipa's Service95 Book Club Podcast Is Launching on Spotify, Plus Her Summer Reading Picks

Whether she's in the studio, on a tour bus, or traveling the world, there...

05/06/2025

Spotify Takes In-Flight Entertainment to the Skies With New United Airlines Partnership

Spotify and United are teaming up to deliver an even more entertaining in-flight...

05/06/2025

Fans Vote Mexico's Top Podcasting Stars at Spotify Mexico's Inaugural Podcast Awards

On Wednesday, Spotify brought together Mexico's vibrant podcast community fo...

05/06/2025

Watch Travis Scott's Historic Barcelona Concert Exclusively on Spotify

Last month, Spotify brought Travis Scott to Barcelona to play his first-ever show in the city and celebrate the release of his Spotify x Cactus Jack x Bar a jer...

04/06/2025

Canadian Artists Are Thriving on Spotify-And the World Is Listening

Today, Spotify launches its Loud & Clear report-our annual deep dive into the economics of music streaming-in Canada, and with it, a powerful story of how Canad...

29/05/2025

Japan's Music Finds the World: How Streaming and Fandoms Are Powering a New Global Chapter

Japan's music scene is entering an exciting new chapter. Long known for its ...

28/05/2025

All the Ways It's Even Easier To Discover Your Next Favorite Podcast on Spotify

Spotify is all about bringing you closer to the voices and stories you love. Tha...

28/05/2025

Como o Spotify continua impulsionando a indstria musical brasileira

A ind stria musical do Brasil est passando por uma transforma o hist rica - e o Spotify segue iluminando esse caminho. A vers o mais recente do relat rio Loud...

28/05/2025

How Spotify Continues To Supercharge Brazil's Music Industry

Brazil's music industry is in the midst of a historic transformation-and Spotify continues to help illuminate the path. Our most recent Loud & Clear report,...

28/05/2025

The Latest Spotify Data Shows EU Artists Generated a Record-Breaking 1.7B in 2024

Spotify's commitment to transparency and artist empowerment continues to res...

21/05/2025

Spotify Electrifies CMA Fest 2025: Here's All You Need To Know

When CMA Fest springs to life in Nashville each year, Spotify House is always one of the top destinations-and 2025 was no different. For the sixth year, Spotify...

21/05/2025

A New Way for Fans To Get Hyped for New Albums Is Here-Meet the Upcoming Releases Hub

Marking a first, Spotify has launched the Upcoming Releases hub-a destination so...

20/05/2025

Six Captivating Audiobooks Amplify Asian and Pacific Islander Artists

Throughout the month of May, Spotify is celebrating Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by amplifying the many artists, creators, and authors who share th...

20/05/2025

Songs of Summer 2025: Spotify's Global Editors Predicts the Anthems That Will Soundtrack the Season

It's officially summer on Spotify and, once again, our team of best-in-class...

19/05/2025

Fresh Finds Turns 10: Cheers to a Decade of Indie Artist Success

For the past decade, Spotify's Fresh Finds playlists have served as a launchpad for emerging independent artists, helping them break through and connect wit...

17/05/2025

Celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month With Music, Podcasts, and Audiobooks That Illuminate a Wealth of Cultural Diversity

Globally, Asian and Pacific Islander (API) artists, creators, and authors contin...

16/05/2025

Celebrate Beyonc's COWBOY CARTER Tour With Exclusive Cover Art Stickers

As Beyonc s COWBOY CARTER Tour sparks excitement around the world, Spotify is helping the BeyHive get concert-ready with a limited-edition collection of playli...

14/05/2025

Travis Scott Electrifies Barcelona With Exclusive Live Show and El Clsico Appearance

Spotify and FC Barcelona's partnership saw its sixth jersey takeover this we...

14/05/2025

A Conversation With Spotify's New Chief HR Officer, Anna Lundstrm

At Spotify, we believe that our incredible bandmates (that's what we call our team) are the driving force behind our success. Longtime Spotifier Anna Lundst...

13/05/2025

Spotify Releases 51 Audiobooks From Bloomsbury's Popular 33 Series

Spotify aims to bring compelling audiobooks to as many consumers as possible, and we're eager to give fans even more options as they discover their next gre...

13/05/2025

Spotify's DJ Now Takes Requests, Enhancing Real-Time Music Discovery

People all over the world love DJ. At the gym, at home, whenever and wherever you want a deeper experience with great music, DJ is the answer. In fact, DJ liste...

09/05/2025

Spotify Data Reveals Eurovision 2025 Fan Favorites, With Sweden's KAJ Leading the Pack

As excitement builds for the annual Eurovision Song Contest, Spotify data offers...

07/05/2025

Experience a New Dimension of Music Discovery With More Controls and Enhanced Tools

Discovering music should feel effortless and fun. That's why Spotify continu...

06/05/2025

Spotify Amplifies Colombia's Booming Local Music Scene With Sbele a Eso' Initiative

In Colombia, music isn't just background noise-it's center stage. It'...

06/05/2025

La nueva apuesta de Spotify para destacar la msica local en Colombia: Sbele a Eso'

En Colombia, la m sica no suena de fondo: es el centro del escenario. Es el cora...

06/05/2025

Spotify Introduces Plays, a New Way To See What Content Is Resonating With Podcast Fans

Updated May 16, 2025: We always aim to provide the best Spotify experience, and ...

06/05/2025

In Mumbai, Our Public Affairs Chief, Dustee Jenkins, Spotlights the Role of Spotify in the Growth of India's Music Industry

Since Spotify's 2019 launch in India, the growth of the country's local ...

05/05/2025

Loreen, Nemo, and More Reimagine Eurovision Anthems for Spotify Singles

As Europe gears up for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, Spotify is celebrating the spirit of unity and musical legacy with a new series of Spotify Singles. Fiv...

02/05/2025

Following Landmark Court Ruling, Spotify Submits New App Update to Apple to Benefit U.S. Consumers

Updated May 19, 2025: Spotify submitted a new app update that Apple has approved...