Emmy Award-Winning Composer Blake Neely Discusses His Score For Apple TV+’s MASTERS OF THE AIR

By Michelle McCue | August 5, 2024

Based on Donald L. Miller’s book of the same name, and scripted by John Orloff, “Masters of the Air” follows the men of the 100th Bomb Group (the “Bloody Hundredth”) as they conduct perilous bombing raids over Nazi Germany and grapple with the frigid conditions, lack of oxygen and sheer terror of combat conducted at 25,000 feet in the air. Portraying the psychological and emotional price paid by these young men as they helped destroy the horror of Hitler’s Third Reich, is at the heart of “Masters of the Air.” Some were shot down and captured; some were wounded or killed. And some were lucky enough to make it home. Regardless of individual fate, a toll was exacted on them all.

The series received three Emmy nominations for Outstanding Sound Editing For A Limited Or Anthology Series, Movie Or Special, Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie and Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music.

Blake Neely, the composer for the magnificent, solemn and soulful score for “Masters of the Air,” received a well deserved Emmy nomination. He has been nominated for seven Emmy Awards for his work on Everwood, The Pacific, Pan Am, Pamela, a Love Story, Good Night Oppy and won the Emmy (2021) for The Flight Attendant.

Starting with his work on “Everwood” and spanning through film and TV, I recently spoke with Neely on the “heart” of the show… his majestic score for the Apple TV series.

In our interview we discussed the connection of his current work to the late Michael Kamen, the legendary composer Neely worked with on “Band of Brothers.”  Kamen’s iconic scores for “Highlander,” “Lethal Weapon,” “Robin Hood,” “ Prince of Thieves,” “From The Earth to the Moon” and “The Iron Giant” are well known for film score enthusiasts.

Neely spoke about his close association with Kamen, and how he started as Kamen’s orchestrator on “Band of Brothers” and later worked on “The Pacific.” However, Neely expressed that “Masters of the Air” serves as a personal “Love Letter” to his mentor. He even shared the personal connection he felt with the title music, inspired by his own family’s World War II experience. 

As to getting “Masters of the Air’s” musical sounds of the era just right, Neely said, “I purposefully did not use any instruments prior to 1945. I joined after the show was complete and they showed me the nine episodes, so I had to write to score and it worked. My Title music was inspired by having family who served during World War II.” He gives much credit to Deva Anderson, the Music Supervisor, “she was great with the songs for the era.“

The richness of the episodes seems more like a film and less like a series. “We described it,” he said, “as 9 episodes being one big movie.” The music, strategically placed even at the end credits, was meant to be a companion for the emotional weight of each episode. “I’ve been working with Playtone for a few decades now and hoped audiences would stay to the end. We wanted people to listen to the end credits to process the episode they just watched. Both Tom Hanks and Producer Gary Goetzman have a deep understanding of music and the intricacies of how important it was to this series.”

When exploring the score’s layers. including the tension and excitement it built, Neely revealed he enjoys composing the softer moments for scenes like “Bucky and Paulina’s dance” in the 4th episode. 

Fans of his superhero scores on shows like Greg Berlanti’s Arrow, The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, immediately recognize his work, but the composer said, ”For a while I was composing for 5 different superhero shows so I needed a break from that.” Neely also acknowledged the evolving role of composers with streaming platforms. Coming from the integration of new technology these days, “all composers have to have the music completed before you submit it.” He added that fans of his score had sent him videos where his music for “Masters of the Air” was used with the U.S. Military and the British Military.

Neely’s score for MASTERS OF THE AIR is a testament to the power of music – its ability to evoke emotions and create a shared experience that transcends the screen.

From Apple Studios, “Masters of the Air” is executive produced by Spielberg through Amblin Television, and Hanks and Goetzman for Playtone. Amblin Television’s Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey co-executive produce alongside Playtone’s Steven Shareshian. In addition to writing, Orloff co-executive produces. Graham Yost is also a co-executive producer. Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck, Cary Joji Fukunaga, Dee Rees and Tim Van Patten serve as directors.

For more on the series, watch the conversation the Motion Picture & Television Fund had with the artists.

The 76th Emmy Awards will be broadcast live from the Peacock Theater at L.A. LIVE Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, (8:00-11:00 PM EDT/5:00-8:00 PM PDT) on ABC and stream the next day on Hulu.