Netflix commissioned composer Hans Zimmer to extend its iconic "ta-dum" sound effect from three to 17 seconds for all theatrical releases.
The Twenty Thousand Hertz podcast told the never-before-heard story behind the "ta-dum" sound subscribers know and love. Netflix Vice President Tod Yellin shared that the recognizable trademark was created by another Academy Award-winning composer, Lon Bender. Before the well-known version was released, the iconic sound was first followed by a goat bleating. The idea was a humorous nod to the classic MGM lion's roar. Although Yellin was a fan of this quirkier version, the final cut, as subscribers know, ended up being goat-free.
The classic "ba-bum" that accompanies the Netflix logo should be familiar to most viewers. However, the extended theme Zimmer created for film festivals and theatrical releases is less known. Zimmer has composed musical themes for numerous films such as the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Interstellar, The Dark Knight trilogy, Inception and Gladiator. The Academy Award-winning composer has also collaborated with many famous directors, including Ridley Scott, Christopher Nolan and Ron Howard. Netflix realized the original length of its sonic logo may not translate well into theaters. Therefore, the company asked Zimmer to make them a longer, but equally epic, theme.
Though Netflix's Roma won Best Director, Best Foreign Language Film and Best Cinematography at the 2019 Academy Awards, there remains a stigma against streaming films vs. theatrically-released films. Movie theater openings remain at a standstill, but perhaps this new theme will make others think twice before doubting the validity of the Netflix original film.