Original Music • Sound Design • Complete Audio Production
Established 1984 - San Francisco
The art of sound
Since 1984, The Magic Shop has brought together original music, sound design, recording, editing, and mixing in a single creative approach to storytelling.
Founded by composer and sound designer Christopher Hedge, The Magic Shop was built on a simple belief: the boundaries between technology and artistry should never stand in the way of telling a story.
For more than four decades, we've collaborated with filmmakers, producers, musicians, and creative organizations to create soundtracks that are distinctive, emotionally engaging, and true to the work they serve.
"Thanks for being an amazing partner on the film and for caring about it as much as I do."
Will Parrinello
Documentary Filmmaker
“He can bring a holistic approach to your film's sound.”
Stephen Talbot
Director & Producer
One creative vision. Every aspect of sound.
From the beginning, The Magic Shop was conceived as a place where the many disciplines of audio production could work together naturally.
Recording a voice, composing a score, creating a soundscape, editing dialogue, and crafting a final mix are different skills, but they share a common purpose: helping a production communicate with clarity, depth, and emotional impact.
Our approach brings these elements together, allowing artistic decisions to guide technical choices and each part of the soundtrack to inform the whole.
Whether developing the complete soundtrack for a documentary, composing original music, or collaborating on a single aspect of a production, we bring the same curiosity, care, and commitment to the work.
Music, sound, and the stories they tell
Our work spans documentary films, television, feature productions, corporate communications, original recordings, and immersive experiences.
Over the years, The Magic Shop has contributed to productions for PBS FRONTLINE, American Experience, NOVA, and numerous independent filmmakers and organizations.
Our projects have explored history, science, culture, the natural world, and the lives of people whose stories deserve to be heard.
We've also worked with artists and musicians from diverse traditions, bringing live performance, original composition, and sounds gathered from around the world into our productions.
The projects may differ, but the objective remains the same: to discover what each story needs, and give it a distinctive voice.
Creative partnerships that last
Some of our most rewarding work has come from relationships that have continued across many years and many productions.
We believe successful collaboration requires more than technical expertise. It calls for listening, trust, flexibility, and a shared commitment to making the work as strong as it can be.
We're fortunate to have worked with directors and producers who have invited us back, project after project.
In their words
“Chris Hedge has composed the music and also created the sound design for nine of my films and limited series, which include films for ‘Frontline,’ ‘American Experience,’ and limited science series for PBS.”
Carl Byker
Documentary Filmmaker and Producer
"Brilliant"
Neil Young
Artist - CSNY Deja Vu
“Many people in the business know Christopher Hedge as a talented and creative composer. He's been at it for many years on a wide range of award-winning projects. I certainly can recommend Chris to any producer / director / editor looking for inspired, original music.”
Stephen Talbot
Director & Producer
Sound Tracks: Music Without Borders
"The transformation of our film through his artistry was stunning!"
Mary Beth Brangan, Morgan Peterson and James Heddle
SOS - The San Onofre Syndrome
Experience in service of the work
Over four decades, The Magic Shop's projects have received numerous honors, including two Emmy Awards and Grammy recognition.
We've had the privilege of working with accomplished filmmakers, musicians, artists, and institutions, including long-standing collaborations with public television and the California Academy of Sciences.
These experiences have broadened our creative vocabulary and strengthened a conviction we've held since the beginning: the best results come when technical skill, artistic imagination, and genuine commitment work together.
Let's make something meaningful
Whether you're developing a documentary, looking for original music, planning an immersive experience, or seeking a creative partner to oversee your production's sound, we'd welcome the opportunity to hear what you're working on.
