What really makes the movies great!. Before film: plays, dances, and operas shared similarities ...
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Transcript of What really makes the movies great!. Before film: plays, dances, and operas shared similarities ...
FILM MUSICWhat really makes the movies
great!
History of Film Before film: plays, dances, and operas
shared similarities 1878-1894 birth of film/experimentation
using cameras, film, projectors, and printers
First 30 years of movies were silent! Many movies had live musicians that would
provide the sound affects Experimentation with sound film technology,
both for recording and playback, was virtually constant throughout the silent era
History of Film In 1926, Hollywood studio Warner Bros. introduced
the Vitaphone system, adding recorded sound effects and orchestral scores to some of its major films
This period from the 1920’s-1940’s was referred to the “Golden Age of Hollywood” where sound was introduced
Since then, film scores have been orchestral, electronic/computerized, synthesized, or compilation (previously recorded or composed pieces/songs used in a film)
We will be looking at narrative films – tells a fictional story
Jaws (1975) Directed by: Steven Speilberg (ca. 1946,
American)
Music by: John Williams
(ca. 1932, American)
Jaws (1975)Questions to answer while watching the clip
What type of role does the music play in this scene?
What kind of music do we hear accompanying the opening underwater scene?
Does the underwater music contrast with the music we hear on land? How?
Jaws (1975) “Shark” theme is based on alternating
pattern of the notes E and F (half step)
Williams based the theme off of Igor Stravinsky’s (1882-1971, Russian composer) The Rite of Spring: The Adoration of the Earth
Let us take a listen:
The Rite of Spring: The Adoration of the Earth
The Shining (1980) Directed by:
Stanley Kubrick (1928-1999)
Music: Classical Musiccompilation
The Shining (1980)Questions to answer while watching the clip
Why do you think the director chose to use classical music for this scene?
What instruments do you hear?
Besides the music, what else makes this scene seem suspenseful?
The Shining (1980) Based on Stephan King’s novel “The Shining”
Did have a film score written for the movie but Kubrick decided to use Classical music instead like he did in 2001: Space Odyssey
Featured classical piece in the scene was – Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta by Béla Bartók (1881-1945, Hungarian)
Movement III - 2:19
Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Directed by: George Lucas
(ca. 1944, American)
Music by:John Williams
(ca. 1932, American)
Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Musical Themes within a Narrative Film 1) The Star Wars/Luke Skywalker Theme
2) The Darth Vader Theme vs. Gustav Holst’s (1874-1934, English) The Planets: “Mars” - 4:25
3) The Love Theme of Princess Leia and Han Solo
4) The Force/Yoda Theme
Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Lucas could barely get the new film made because none of the studios thought it would be a success with the public
Set box office records earning six
Academy Awards including Best Original Score
Known for its sound effects – put Dolby sound on the map nationally to theater owners
Here’s another movie theme you might recognize…
Batman ThemeIf there so happens to be sequels to movies, the
theme comes back but is altered a bit
Batman Forever Theme
Danny Elfman (ca. 1953) Works with Tim Burton a lot
Other movies: Spider-Man, Men in Black, Flubber, Corpse Bride, etc.
I'm Batman Scene
Atonement (2007) Directed by: Joe
Wright (ca. 1972, British)
Music by: Dario Marianelli (ca. 1963, Italian)
Atonement (2007)Questions to answer while watching the clip
List all the sounds you hear in this scene
What instrument does the typewriter act as?
There is a lot of information that is given to us in this scene, what can you conclude from it?
Atonement (2007) Novel written by Ian McEwan in 2001 7 Academy - Award nominations: won Oscar for
best original score The director and composer collaborated in Pride
and Prejudice back in 2005 Very complex tragedy The device of viewing a scene from two different
perspectives at two different times within a film’s narrative has a long history that goes back to the classic Hollywood era
Uses musical themes for characters
Impact of Movie MusicHow does this music clip make you feel?
Now let’s watch the scene: Did you know what the scene was about? Did it meet
your expectations?
Music by: Steve
Jablonsky (ca. 1970,
American)
Effects used in Modern Films
Like Transformers, many modern films use blending synthesized sound with that of the instruments of a traditional orchestra.
Hans Zimmer (ca. 1957, German), who was Steve Jablonsky’s mentor, uses this compositional style of mixing acoustical and synthesized instruments.
You might have heard Hans Zimmer’s music if you’ve seen The Lion King, Gladiator, Pearl Harbor, Pirate’s of the Caribbean, The Dark Knight…
So how does one become a film composer?
What is the musical process the film composer starts when assigned a film?
How does the composer begin scoring?
How long does the film scoring process take?
Is it an easy job?
Harry Gregson - Williams
Harry Potterand the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
Directed by: Chris Columbus (ca. 1958, American)
Music by:John Williams(ca. 1932,
American)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) British author J.K. Rowling created seven
books (1997-2007)
Many musical themes
Suite from Harry Potter
Harry's Wonderous World
How many movies can you identify?
Just for kicks, how many motion pictures can you identify either by the music or
clip?
Look who the conductor is!!!
Hollywood Movies
References www.youtube.com http://www.wikipedia.org/ Music 004 - Film Music (Penn State
University)