Film Music

General Overview of Film Music

• Film music, also known as score, is integral to cinematic experience, enhancing narrative, and setting mood.
• The main purpose of film music is to support the visual content, often providing emotional cues to the audience.
• Film scores can be diegetic (heard by the characters) or non-diegetic (only heard by the audience).

Different Types of Film Music

• The Orchestral Score: Often used in epic films and involves the use of symphony orchestras.
• Pop Songs: These can be used to evoke a certain time period, set a mood, or focus on a specific character.
• Electronic Music: This can be used in various film genres, particularly in science fiction or horror.

Key Aspects of Film Music

• Themes & Leitmotifs: Repetitive melodies or motifs that represent a character, object, place or idea.
• Texture: Describes how melodies, rhythms, and harmonies are combined. It can be monophonic, polyphonic or homophonic.
• Dynamics: The loudness or softness of the music. It can contribute to the emotional intensity of a scene.

Function of Film Music

• Mood setting: Music can establish the atmosphere or emotional setting of a scene.
• Character development: Music can reveal or describe a character’s personality or feelings.
• Directing the audience’s attention: Music can be used to highlight important elements or themes.

Notable Composers in Film Music

• John Williams: Known for his work in ‘Star Wars’, ‘Indiana Jones’, and ‘Jaws’.
• Hans Zimmer: Recognised for ‘The Lion King’, ‘Inception’, and ‘Interstellar’.
• Danny Elfman: Famous for his collaborations with director Tim Burton.