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

1. Plot: Structure of the story.

2. Character: Central figures in the story.

3. Setting: Location and time frame.

4. Theme: Underlying ideas.

5. 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

1. Comedy (e.g., dark, romantic)

2. Drama (e.g., historical, biopic)

3. Horror

4. Musical

5. Mystery

6. Romance

7. Science Fiction

8. 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.