Dolby Creator Talks

Deciphering the Language of Whales in "Fathom"

August 31, 2021

Dr. Michelle Fournet and Dr. Ellen Garland, the scientists featured in the new Apple TV+ documentary "Fathom," believe the songs of the humpback whales to be perhaps the oldest form of verbal communication between intelligent life on planet Earth. A language and culture which may predate humans' by millions of years.

I have given a lot of thought to understand why the scientists are doing what they're doing. And the point is — to understand what the whales are saying to each other. And I think there's a number of reasons for that. One of them is ethical — [not] interfering too much with the natural goings on of another species. But two, I think it's, for them, more interesting. [The whales] have a lot more to say to each other than we have to say to them. I think [Dr.] Michelle [Fournet] would say, 'they're saying everything we need to understand. We just need to actually just listen to them. And maybe not talk for once.'

Drew Xanthopoulos, Director, "Fathom"

You may think scientific curiosity then set out to decipher this language so that we would be able to communicate with these fiercely intelligent mammals directly. But as it turns out, that is not exactly the point... So just what are the whales saying to each other? And how did the filmmakers convey this foreign language so beautifully through sound and image? We sat down with Director and Cinematographer Drew Xanthopoulos, along with Sound Supervisor and Re-Recording Mixer Brad Engleking of TBD Post, to ask exactly that. Be sure to check out "Fathom" now on Apple TV+. Please subscribe to Sound + Image Lab: The Dolby Institute Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. You can also check out the video for this episode. Learn more about the Dolby Institute and check out Dolby.com. Connect with Dolby on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

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