AceShowbiz - Universal Music Group U.K.'s Globe has built a strong reputation for integrating music into various media, including films, television, video games, and advertising, alongside developing artists as brand ambassadors. Recently, Globe has broadened its scope by launching Globe Originals, a dedicated division focused on creating original films where music serves as the central creative force. This initiative aims to open fresh avenues for artists to explore storytelling beyond traditional music platforms.

Globe Originals has contributed to several notable projects, including the documentary Amy, Steven Knight's This Town for the BBC, Mary McCartney's If These Walls Could Sing for Disney+, and the BAFTA-nominated, Irish Film & TV Awards-winning short film Nostalgie. It also played a role in the Oscar-nominated, BAFTA-winning feature Hamnet. The unit has collaborated with prominent directors and producers such as Quentin Tarantino, Richard Curtis, Danny Boyle, and Faye Ward, strengthening its foothold in the industry.

Under the leadership of president Marc Robinson, Globe is actively expanding its presence in the United States and exploring opportunities beyond its traditional sync and brand business. A recent partnership with Hollywood producer Shannon McIntosh, known for her work with Quentin Tarantino on films like Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and The Hateful Eight, focuses on music-driven feature films. Upcoming projects include Falling, a contemporary love story written and directed by Dominic Savage and starring Simone Ashley and Sam Claflin; Dusty vs Dusty, a fresh take on the Dusty Springfield biopic; and Annie Oakley Hanging, a music-centric narrative set in the American frontier.

Globe Originals also produced a short film tied to Hamnet, entitled Scientist of the Soul, which follows composer Max Richter’s creative journey and has been screened at Everyman cinemas across the U.K. In addition, the division is developing four documentaries about U.K. artists, with more details expected to be announced later this year.

The growing emphasis on music-led storytelling and the evolving role of music within audiovisual media are key reasons behind Globe Originals’ focus. According to Robinson, there is increasing demand from music creatives eager to expand their reach beyond albums and live performances into narrative-driven projects.

An example highlighting this trend is Annie Oakley Hanging, a film in development through the McIntosh partnership. It is described as a "fully music-driven feature" and a "rebellious love story set in the wild American frontier." The project features an original soundtrack crafted by Dan Smith, lead singer and songwriter of Bastille, alongside Ralph Pelleymounter, lead singer and songwriter of To Kill a King.

McIntosh expressed her enthusiasm for the music created for Annie Oakley Hanging, noting its compelling narrative quality and ambition. She praised the innovative approach of "reverse engineering" the filmmaking process by beginning with the soundtrack, which invigorates the creative experience. She emphasized how Globe Originals continues to bridge the gap between music and screen while championing leading U.K. artists and delivering powerful music-driven stories worldwide.

The appeal of Globe Originals for multi-talented creatives, or multi-hyphenates like Dan Smith, lies in the new storytelling opportunities the unit nurtures. Both Robinson and Smith note that the setup encourages artists to collaborate closely with filmmakers who understand and deeply appreciate the role of music in storytelling.

Robinson reflected on Globe’s longstanding relationship with the film and TV industries, which began primarily through music placements on soundtracks. However, as streaming platforms have expanded and evolved, so too has the soundtrack market. Globe aims to maintain its close ties to film and television while adapting to the new generation of versatile artists like Smith. The creation of Globe Originals represents a strategic effort to foster original audiovisual projects that integrate music and narrative from the outset.

He explained how collaboration dynamics have shifted over time. Whereas Globe once primarily received finished products from film and TV, it now seeks early involvement to bring music-centered perspectives to productions more proactively. Initially focused on documentaries, Globe Originals has increasingly ventured into scripted content.

Dan Smith’s past contributions to film and TV underscore this evolution. He wrote and produced the original song "Eurydice" for the Netflix series Kaos and collaborated with Hans Zimmer, singer-songwriter Raye, and Bleeding Fingers Music on "Mother Nature" for the BBC’s Planet Earth III documentary series.

More recently, through Globe, Smith composed songs and the score for the BAFTA-nominated short film Nostalgie, directed by Kathryn Ferguson (known for the Sinéad O'Connor documentary Nothing Compares) and starring Aidan Gillen (Game of Thrones, Peaky Blinders, The Wire). This 19-minute film, set in the 1980s, explores themes connected to music and memory.

Smith highlighted Globe Originals as a unique platform that merges music with narrative storytelling through film, TV, and shorts. He praised how Robinson effectively brings together creative talents, enabling opportunities beyond conventional music careers. For him, the chance to engage with diverse stories and historical contexts through music-driven projects is particularly fulfilling.

Regarding his involvement with Nostalgie, Smith recounted his excitement when Robinson introduced him to Ferguson and they discussed the project’s requirements. The film demanded songs that emulated the style of the 1980s but carried nuanced meanings that evolved beyond their original intent.

Smith described the songs as fables central to the film’s exploration of deeply personal yet often unspoken themes. He commended the entire team’s work, expressing pride in the powerful final product. The film also features performances by Jessica Reynolds (Kneecap) and Michael Smiley (Bad Sisters, The Lobster).

The synopsis for Nostalgie reads: "A 1980s popstar receives a surprising invitation to perform, pulling him out of musical retirement and into a journey that challenges his past and identity." This storyline perfectly exemplifies Globe Originals’ commitment to music-led storytelling that resonates emotionally and culturally.

Overall, Universal Music Group U.K.'s Globe is redefining how music intersects with film and television by fostering original projects that place artists at the heart of narrative creation. Through Globe Originals, the company is opening new doors for multi-hyphenate talents to innovate and reach audiences globally with compelling, music-driven stories.