Case Study - Podcast
The Performance Science podcast is a four-part series produced for the Centre for Performance Science at the Royal College of Music.
The Project
The Performance Science podcast is a four-part series produced for the Centre for Performance Science (CPS) at the Royal College of Music, in collaboration with Imperial College London. Developed as part of a wider initiative to communicate the findings from the HEartS project - a major research study into the health, economic, and social impact of the arts in the UK - the podcast brings key insights to life through thoughtful, accessible conversations.
Each episode features an in-depth discussion about the wellbeing of performing artists, the systemic challenges they face, and what needs to change to sustain a healthy and creative workforce in a post-pandemic world.
The 4 episodes that we produced for the first series were:
Health, Wellbeing, and the Performing Artist — Aaron Williamon, Neta Spiro & Rachel Warr
Nurturing the Wellbeing of Performing Artists — Aaron Williamon, Claire Cordeaux & Erin Sanchez
Navigating the Financial Landscape of the Performing Arts — Aaron Williamon, Charlotte Penton‑Smith & Lynda Rooke
Empowering the Creative Workforce — Aaron Williamon, Rosie Perkins & Josh Siepel
You can listen to the full series here.
Or learn about the animated series that we produced to present the findings here.
The HEartS Project
The HEartS project - a joint venture between the Royal College of Music and Imperial College London - was funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and set out to explore how arts and culture affect our health, happiness, and everyday lives.
Over three years, the team looked at large public health datasets, carried out nationwide surveys, and spoke to people directly about their experiences - from tackling loneliness in older adults to understanding what stops people getting involved in the arts.
They also dug into the value creative activities bring, both socially and economically, and worked with partners across the UK to share findings.
The result was a rich, detailed picture of how music, theatre, galleries, and other cultural activities can make a real difference to society and individual health and wellbeing.
Our Approach
We wanted to produce a podcast series that felt polished whilst still feeling authentic. To achieve this, we combined great sound, video, and lighting with careful editing and consistent branding, and we made sure the contributors and guests felt comfortable and at ease in the recording environment so the conversations could flow naturally.
This is a perfect example of how we tell meaningful stories in a professional yet human way.
On The Day
We spent four days on location at the Royal College of Music, recording and filming the panel-style conversations. A key part of the process was ensuring the participants felt relaxed and comfortable on camera. We took time before each recording to build rapport, explain the setup, and foster a conversational, pressure-free environment. This was especially important given the personal and reflective nature of the topics.
Our crew worked discreetly and attentively, allowing the conversations to unfold naturally while maintaining high production values across video and audio.
All filming and recording took place in the Belle Shenkman Studio. This acoustically treated, visually neutral space provided an ideal environment for capturing high-quality content.
Our streamlined, professional setup allowed us to create a calm and unobtrusive atmosphere in the studio. This contributed to the relaxed, open tone of the conversations while maintaining high technical standards throughout.
Audio Recording
We used a professional audio setup to capture clean, high-quality dialogue with maximum flexibility in post-production:
Zoom F6 Field Recorder – Provided precise, multi-channel recording with 32-bit float, offering flexibility and headroom in post-production.
Aston Microphones Stealth – Broadcast-quality dynamic microphones delivered clean, rich vocal capture while minimising room noise - ideal for natural, in-person conversations.
Video Capture
We used 4K Sony cameras to capture high-resolution footage of each conversation. This not only elevated the visual presentation of the podcast but also gave the client flexibility to release the podcasts in video format and repurpose the material for other content types, such as social clips or educational material.
Post-Production
In post-production, one of our key goals was to retain the authentic, reflective tone of each conversation while ensuring the content remained engaging and accessible for listeners.
We began by using Rev to transcribe all recorded interviews. This gave us a clear overview of the conversations and allowed us to quickly identify key themes, standout moments, and natural turning points in the dialogue. Working from the transcripts meant we could make editorial decisions with intention, choosing the most compelling sections while ensuring a smooth narrative.
We carefully trimmed for clarity and flow without over-editing, preserving the rhythm, warmth, and spontaneity of the original conversations. Space for pauses, emotion, and genuine connection was left intact, ensuring the series felt human and conversational rather than scripted.
The result is a podcast series that feels thoughtful and polished, yet honest and authentic.
Editing and Mixing
We then brought in Eddie Dobson from Fine Line Audio to manage the mastering and preparation for platform delivery. Eddie ensured the final mixes were broadcast-ready, correctly formatted, and optimised for distribution.
The completed episodes were then uploaded to Acast, enabling seamless distribution across all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, making it easy for listeners to access the series wherever they choose to listen.
We handled the editing and mixing of all four episodes, carefully shaping each conversation to flow naturally while enhancing clarity and removing distractions. Dialogue was cleaned, levelled, and refined - preserving the tone, rhythm, and authenticity of the speakers’ voices.
Identity, Music & Visual Design
We helped shape a clear and cohesive identity for the podcast, ensuring it felt distinctive while remaining aligned with the established branding of the Centre for Performance Science and the Royal College of Music.
What we did:
Music selection – We sourced and selected the podcast’s theme music to reflect the tone of the series: professional, thoughtful, and accessible. The music created a consistent auditory signature that set the mood and enhanced the listening experience.
Podcast cover design – We collaborated with Matt and Nicole from ink to create a bespoke cover image for the series. Designed to work across podcast platforms and social channels, the artwork was clean, contemporary, and brand-aligned. The intention was to ensure that it was instantly recognisable at thumbnail scale while remaining flexible for repurposing.
Audiogram branding – We pulled the existing CPS and RCM branding through into the audiogram designs, aligning them with the visual identity of both institutions while establishing a clear, individual presence for the podcast. This ensured consistency across platforms and created a visually cohesive experience for the audience.
This cohesive identity ensured every element was consistent, polished, and on brand.
In Summary
This was one of those projects where everything came together: great people, meaningful content, and a shared vision. From shaping the tone and identity to capturing thoughtful conversations in the Belle Shenkman studio, we loved helping the Centre for Performance Science bring this series to life.
If you're thinking about launching a podcast or bringing a series to life with great sound, visuals, and storytelling, we’d love to help. Visit our podcasts page or click that orange button, drop us a message and let’s chat about how we can make it happen.
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