Though these aforementioned motifs are used quite extensively in Hollywood film music, the use of music to augment the cinematic scene in Hollywood films is seen most noticeably during instances of grandeur and opulence. To accompany these scenes, the film scorers elect to use large ensembles, with each family of instrument partaking in the production. This correlation has become a staple in Hollywood films, as “orchestral size not only indicated musical choice or financial well-being but became a status symbol for the music director” (Morcom 70). Such an implementation of emotional mimicry is found in the movie The Lord of the Rings: The Twin Towers, when Howard Shore’s “Helm’s Deep” played during the Helms Deep Charge. In the middle of the Rohirrim charge at Helms Deep, Gandalf the White presents himself at the top of the hill on a great white stallion. Gandalf is magnificence personified, so the choice in musical accompaniment simply strengthens the delivery of this fact to the audience. Therefore, as seen from all three previously discussed styles, there exists a pattern in the field of music, where an inherent sense of strategy and intention is employed when selecting the notes in a piece. In American culture, the general view of film music is that “song sequences, seen as distractions, cast doubt on a film's narrative authenticity by limiting creativity, plot development, and characterization, resulting in a genre that appears to lack cinematic realism as compared to
For example during our presentation in the scenes portraying the conflict between Cait and Clementine heavy, quite aggressive instrumental music is used to highlight the tension between these characters . In contrast the audio that is incorporated into the flim which positions the viewer to futher empathise with Katniss as it it often is representation of her thoughts and state of mind .
‘Sound doesn’t have to be in-your-face, traditional, big sound effects. You can especially say a lot about the film with ambiences – the sounds for things you don’t see.’ (Bordwell, 2008) The music throughout this film adds to the ambience of the story, and follows the conventions of a family fantasy
Each element on its own, has an important role it plays in the creation of a film or movie. In Misery, for example, the choice of music composition used for major scenes in the movie helps to build on the plot, suspense and rising action, on many other scenes, the fast paced music led to nail biting and hair pulling moments. Without the wise choice of the fast-paced string, Classical music, Misery would have not been the psychological thriller it
“Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee. I have thee not, and yet I see thee still." –Macbeth Act two, scene one. Guilt, insanity and the everlasting evil within human nature haunts Macbeth, William Shakespeare’s main character in his play Macbeth. From Shakespeare’s play, the themes and ideas have been interpreted on film as PBS and director Rupert Goold filmed “Macbeth” in their own ideas and interpretations.
The Fellowship of the Ring contains two and a half hours of music. In this Shore uses strings, brass and choral sections creating in depth moments. Enya a famous Celtic singer also contributed to Shores work, giving the music a sense of peacefulness. The first of the movies was all about the character development and Shore was able to create music that was at first peaceful but changing it to urgency as the tail moved
The way a film is made can sometimes be the best part. It’s techniques are so hidden and integral, without these film techniques every movie would be the same. In the movie “Jaws” about a giant man-eating great white shark attacks beach-goers, prompting the local police chief to hunt it with the help of a marine biologist and a professional shark hunter. Jaws is well known for its music, even winning a Oscar Award in 1976 for best sound. This music is so iconic because its leaves the audience waiting for the shark attack, which is when this iconic jaws music would play to keep the audience on their toes the entire
Nearly every piece on the program highlighted the Cleveland Orchestra string section’s unique richness of sound, as well as its flexibility. From the soaring, expressive passages of “Marion’s Theme” (Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark) to the sparkling, dancing melody of “Harry Potter’s Wondrous World,” to the flowing accompaniment in “Hymn to the Fallen,” and the countermelody in “Midway March,” reminiscent of something John Philip Sousa once wrote for the piccolo, every song was handled with unrivaled artistry. No, none of it was Mozart, but some of it could well have been, given the rapidity and complexity of the technical passages. It’s often overlooked that film composers don’t pull any punches. Their music is extraordinarily difficult on many levels, and Williams’ is more difficult than most. Like their counterparts in the brass section, the string players more than did him
An important role of a good film is to entertain the audience. One component that is beneficial to films in achieving this goal is incorporating element of drama in the story. Through the collaboration of imaginative directors, with assist from talented film composers capable of incorporating drama into a scene through music, providing audience entertainment by deliver a surprise to the audience and create anticipation on what is next a film has to offer. Combination of low-angle shot with dramatic score music in John Lasseter’s animated film Toy Story and Peter Docter’s Monsters, Inc. both demonstrates how the two techniques go together in creating a theatric entrance for a new character within a film, as well as how manipulating the techniques
A musical film is a genre of movie where songs sung by characters are added into the storyline, occasionally complemented by choreography. The musical numbers in these films do not always develop the plot and characters, but they do give the films a more exciting quality. The primary difference between musical theatre and film musicals is the use of extravagant scenery that would be extraordinarily unreasonable for a stage performance. While making movies, the individuals involved have the luxury of being able to shoot multiple takes and have the time to move backgrounds around or change their entire location. Stage performances, on the other hand, must have scenery that can be easily and efficiently moved on and offstage when it is needed. In order to be able to thoroughly comprehend this relatively recent- in the grand scheme of things- form of entertainment, one should understand the history behind these musical films, be aware of some of the “big names” that are well-known, and recognize major titles that revolutionized musical film forever (Scaruffi, P., 2005).
John Williams may be one of the most well-known composers of this century, and is incredibly successful in his career in music for movies.
Brass fanfares are used during the film to enhance and build upon the action scenes. The choruses of strings are used to create scenes of grace within each scene. Together, these two groups of instruments create the memorability that the film is known for. The film’s themes
Could you imagine Jaws or Star Wars without their award winning music scores? These particular films follow a distinct successful trend having to do with the iconic duo: director Steven Spielberg and film composer John Williams, who have also worked together on E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Jurassic Park, the Indiana Jones movies, and countless other famous movie titles. Music is the world’s most universal language. By itself, it can invoke emotions and create topics of discussion, but music influences movies more than people think. Music in movies is extremely effective and can help establish the tone and mood of any scene or setting with, speed and slow time even with no music, help the audience characterize and connect with characters, and involve and affect the audience mentally and emotionally.
A composer can win the award for Best Original Score, Best Scoring Adaptation, Best Original Song Score, just to name a few. Although the composers’ names are often overshadowed by the film title, their work stands on Its own. This overshadowing is similar to many of the great classical composers’ relations to their works. “Moonlight Sonata” is one of Beethovens’ most popular pieces; however, you could argue that it is so popular that many people today have no idea that it is composed by Beethoven. Likewise, John Williams has been nominated for an Academy Award 50 times and has scored numerous famed films. The most celebrated being the Star Wars series, Superman, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, the Indiana Jones series, Jurassic Park, Schindler's List, and Jaws. An individual doesn’t have to watch these films to recognize the theme songs. Many critics and music enthusiasts credit the 1977 Star Wars score as the beginning of a grand symphonic revival. Yet, despite all his success and awards, John Williams’ name is overshadowed by these blockbuster
The backbone of a film consists of a soundtrack laced together with different scenes throughout a film in order to create a narrative or storyline. Slobin discusses narrative knots and how without these strategically placed relationships between music and narrative, there would be nothing to hold a film together. The soundtrack of a film worked within a film’s storyline is like a strategic plan of action used to help guide the viewers understanding of what is unfolding. When there is a clear narrative knot in a film, the musical strand of that knot clarifies and sometimes justifies the narrative strand to which it is tied. When you have a true narrative knot both parts must be present; if one part is missing or faulty, then it is not a narrative knot. Narrative knots force the music and storyline to be dependent on each other; there is no understanding of the film without the junction of music and narrative within a
Music is an identifying characteristic of film and television; everyone who has been exposed to popular culture knows the theme for Star Wars and The Simpsons, even if they have never seen the movie or show. Disney movies are no exception, and this is largely due to the genius creative mind of Alan Menken. Menken is best known for composing the scores for some of the most beloved Disney classics, including Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Hercules, Pocahontas, and Tangled. He also made his mark composing for highly acclaimed Broadway musicals, including Little Shop of Horrors and Newsies, as well as the stage adaptations of some of his Disney hits. The familiar songs composed by Menken are permanently ingrained in our minds and are largely responsible for the success of the films and theatrical works he was associated with.