INTRO TO FILM MUSIC MUS 113 1
INTRO TO FILM MUSIC
Basic Information
Course: MUS 113
Schedule: T/TH Noon-1:15
Instructor: Dr. Immel
Location: SA 13G
WAGNER AND THE ROOTS OF FILM MUSIC
Richard Wagner's Innovations
19th-century German composer, revolutionized drama with Gesamtkunstwerk.
Introduced ideas: darkened auditorium, orchestra pit, no applause during performance.
Wagner's Control in Music Dramas
Wagner's full control over music dramas; wrote librettos, directed, composed.
Emphasized thematic development through Leitmotive—musical themes representing characters and ideas.
ELEMENTS OF DRAMA IN FILM
Five Key Elements
Plot: Structure of the story.
Character: Central figures in the story.
Setting: Location and time frame.
Theme: Underlying ideas.
Mood: Emotional quality.
PLOT STRUCTURES
Types of Plots
Casual Plot: Includes exposition, complications, climax, and resolution.
Episodic Plot: Series of events without strict chronological order; may use flashbacks.
CHARACTERS IN FILM
Protagonist and Antagonist
Protagonist: Central character (e.g., Frodo, Indiana Jones).
Antagonist: Opposing character causing conflict (e.g., Darth Sidious, Gollum).
SETTING IN FILM
Types of Settings
Contemporary: Reflective of modern life (e.g., American Beauty).
Fantasy: Imaginative locales (e.g., Jurassic Park).
Historical: Utilizes a specific era’s details (e.g., Amadeus).
THEME AND MOOD
Theme
Central idea; some films lack clear themes and focus on entertainment.
Serious films often address social issues (e.g., To Kill a Mockingbird).
Mood
Emotional quality created through visuals and music.
Examples: Gone With the Wind, Psycho, The Graduate.
ELEMENTS OF FILM
Film Types
Nonfiction: Documentaries, propaganda.
Narrative: Fictional stories divided into various genres.
Film Genres
Comedy (e.g., dark, romantic)
Drama (e.g., historical, biopic)
Horror
Musical
Mystery
Romance
Science Fiction
Western
CINEMATOGRAPHY AND POINT OF VIEW
Cinematography
Art of capturing moving images; considerations include composition, lighting, and movement.
Points of View
Omniscient POV: Detached, camera-driven perspective.
Subjective POV: Shows the story through a character’s eyes.
ELEMENTS OF MUSIC IN FILM
Fundamental Concepts
Pitch: Highness or lowness of notes.
Time Signature: Beats within a measure.
Melody: Succession of pitches forming a musical idea.
Harmony: Simultaneous pitches; chords can be consonant or dissonant.
Additional Elements
Rhythm: Recurring pulses, beats.
Tempo: Speed of music.
Timbre: Quality of sound.
Orchestration: Arrangement of musical ideas for performance.
FILM MUSIC PLACEMENT AND FUNCTIONS
Placement
Strategic use: before credits, throughout drama, underscoring emotions.
Source Music: Heard within the film context (e.g., radio).
Underscoring: Non-diegetic music guiding emotions (orchestral).
Functions
Establishing mood, contrasting action, thematic unity through Leitmotive.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF FILM MUSIC
Eadweard Muybridge and Thomas Edison
Pioneers of motion picture development; influential in early synchronized sound.
Development in Silent Film Era
Music essential due to lack of sound; live performances common.
Transition to Sound
Innovations in sound technology led to synchronized dialogue and soundtracks.
SIGNIFICANT FILMS AND COMPOSERS
Golden Age Composers
Erich Korngold: Robin Hood score, advanced film music scoring.
Max Steiner: Composed iconic scores for Gone with the Wind and Casablanca.
Iconic Films
Citizen Kane: Notable for its complex score and themes.
Casablanca: Features memorable nationalistic tunes and motifs like "As Time Goes By."
The Hays Code
Established moral guidelines for film content, lasting until 1966.
RECENT TRENDS IN FILM MUSIC
Bernard Hermann
Integrated contemporary concert music into film; known for Citizen Kane and works with Hitchcock.
Modern Styles
Ongoing evolution in film music, with genres crossing boundaries and incorporating diverse elements.