Film Music

• What has film always been associated with?

  Music
• How does music contribute to films?

  It reflects the mood or emotion of the film
• What does music help to show in films?

  How significant characters are presented
• What is music composed specifically for a film called?

  Score
• What term describes an individual section of music from a film or game soundtrack?

  Cue
• When does the composer enter the process of creating film music?

  During the editing of the film
• Who discusses the music for different scenes?

  The composer and director
• What does the composer do to fit the scenes?

  Writes the music
• How is the music played for a film recorded?

  Using a click track
• Why is a click track used in recording film music?

  To ensure it matches the scene
• Diegetic

  Music that the characters can hear. It is important to the plot as it is actually a part of the story.
• Extra-Diegetic

  Music that the characters can’t hear. Useful for setting the scene and adding atmosphere, but not important for the plot itself. Most film music is extra-diegetic.
• "Mickey mousing"

  Composers often need to create music that closely mirrors the action. This is often known as “mickey mousing” but composers now tend to do it in more subtle ways.
• Original Music Composed for Films:

  • Sound effects.
  • Early video game music would typically use synthesizers.
  • Now, they use live music throughout the game and have become much more like film music.
  • Different music for different genres.
  • Appropriate for the screen action and images it is describing.
• What is one purpose of music in film?

  To create or enhance a mood
• How does music aid in the suspension of disbelief in film?

  It helps convince us the film is real
• How can music comment directly on a film's action?

  By guiding audience emotional responses
• What role does music play in enhancing dramatic effects in films?

  It amplifies key moments like monster appearances
• What types of sound effects are often used in film soundtracks?

  Explosions and gunfire
• Why do composers create a feeling of something being absent on screen?

  To transport the audience to a different reality
• What are some frequent effects used by film music composers to create or enhance a mood?

  • Rhythms
  • Duration
  • Dynamics
  • Tempo
  • Pitch
  • Silence
  • Harmony
  • Chords
  • Cadences
  • Suspensions
  • Music technology
  • Effects
  • Instruments
  • Orchestration
  • Timbre/Sonority
• What is a LEITMOTIF?

  A recurring musical theme associated with a character
• What is SEQUENCING in film music?

  Arranging musical themes in a specific order
• How can a LEITMOTIF be altered during a film soundtrack?

  By changing its tempo, pitch, or instrumentation
• How can REPETITION link different parts of a film together?

  By reusing musical themes to create familiarity
• What is a MONOTHEMATIC film score?

  A score based on a single musical theme
• How does a MONOTHEMATIC score provide continuity within a film?

  It maintains a consistent musical identity
• What is MICKEY-MOUSING?

  Music that mimics the actions on screen
• Which film genres use MICKEY-MOUSING more than others?

  Animation and children's films
• Why do animation films use MICKEY-MOUSING?

  To enhance visual gags and humor
• How have film music composers used “hit songs” to promote soundtracks?

  By integrating them into key film moments
• What effect do unexpected musical juxtapositions have in films?

  They create irony or surprise for the audience
• How do composers illustrate geographic locations in films?

  By using instruments or styles from that culture
• How do composers set a film in a particular historical period?

  By using musical styles from that era
• What differences must composers consider for fast action sequences versus romantic scenes?

  Fast sequences require quick tempos and rhythms