The Musical Aim of Mengge Bao

There is a slight hesitation in Mengge Bao’s response when the idea is posed to him that there is a somewhat contradictory element in his field of work. Modern day professionals in the music business are required to be both more specialized and more diverse in the application of their skills. For Mengge, this means donning the hats of audio engineer, mixing engineer, musician, composer, even educator at different times. In the past, someone like him might have pursued only one of these paths but Mengge finds that they all intersect where his joy of music meets his varied interests. The simple answer is that Mr. Bao enjoys not knowing where this path will lead him on any given day, but he knows it will be interesting as well. From feature films and award-winning television programs to collaborating with other acclaimed musicians and inspiring the next generation of artists, Mengge has more than enough opportunities and not nearly enough hours in the day. He’s living his best life and leaving a body of work that attests to his remarkable talent.

Film is an industry about which Mengge is passionate. He has long been attracted to the many opportunities this long form entertainment medium allows him as a creative professional. While he has worked as an orchestrator and composer on numerous productions, he’s intrigued by the many different hats his skillset allows him; such as when he served as the audio engineer and mixing engineer for the theme song of the blockbuster Chinese film Johnny Keeps Walking. This production grossed 1.29 billion RMB at the box office in China and received the China Movie Channel Award for Outstanding Film of the Year as well as the award for Best Original Screenplay of the Year. There’s a musical element to a comedy/drama film such as this, even when it’s not music. The “orchestration” of sound effects with dialogue and musical cues is a “dance” not completely different than that of an orchestra; one which uses the aforementioned aspects rather than strings and percussion. It’s all in the service of emotion and vast audiences in China attest to the strength of this film and its theme song to take them on a wild ride.

The success of his work in various films has been Mengge’s calling card to enlistment by television productions that include the twice Primetime Emmy nominated series Below Deck, The Challenge, and Vanderpump Villa. His compositional contributions to these series range from Afro-Beat to synth-heavy hybrid orchestral style, combining different genres and instrumental approaches. For Mr. Bao, each different production is the chance for him to don the temperament and visage of the show itself. He informs, “My inspiration comes from deeply understanding the core of each show’s theme and the emotions they aim to evoke in the audience. By aligning the music with the narrative arcs and the emotional journeys of the characters, I aim to create a more engaging and resonant experience for the viewers. Additionally, experimenting with different genres and instrumentation helps in crafting unique sounds that are both fitting and refreshing for each show’s atmosphere.”

Mengge Bao sees the diversity of his abilities as unifying rather than divergent. Whether deeply immersed in the composition of music or sitting at a mixing console coordinating sound design and dialogue, it’s all in the pursuit of the proper emotional tone. Perhaps this perspective is why so many filmmakers and television producers value him so. Mengge possesses the creativity, skill, and vision to pave the way to a clearly defined feeling. He remarks, “My journey into the world of sound and music for productions likely began with a profound appreciation for the integral role that music plays in storytelling. The choice to pursue this career might have been driven by a combination of personal passion, a fascination with the technical aspects of sound, and the emotional impact music can have on an audience. I was particularly intrigued by how music can subtly enhance or dramatically transform the viewer’s experience of a film or TV show. The idea that I could manipulate sound to evoke specific emotions and reactions, and thus contribute to the narrative arc of a production, was both powerful and appealing. It offered a unique form of creative expression, where I could not only create art but also could influence how stories are perceived and felt by an audience. The technical side of music production also captivated me. Learning about the various elements of sound design, from the basics of composition to the complexities of audio engineering, presented a challenging yet rewarding endeavor. This technical mastery was not just about understanding musical instruments or software but also about grasping how sound operates within different spaces, whether it’s a cozy living room or a grand theater.”