An Introductionto Music in

Movies

Historical Background:Early Movies

• 1889– Thomas Edison

invented the Kinetoscope

– Film was turned with a crank

– Called the “peep show” because only one person at a time could watch

• 1896– Edison invented the Vitascope– This machine could project the

image onto a wall– Subjects included:

•circus acts•dances•boxing bouts •comic scenes•snippets

of this and that

Historical Background continued…

• 1903– Edwin Porter

produced and directed The Great Train Robbery

– 11 minute long complete story

– First successful Western

– Beginning of film as an art form

Historical Background continued…

• 1927– The Vitaphone was

invented and the first talking film The Jazz Singer.

– Now sound and film can be synchronized, although it used two separate machines that had to be coordinated.

– It wasn’t until 1933 that we could have both talking and musical background in a film – made possible by a soundtrack which was a strip on the actual film.

Historical Background continued…

Early Movies & Music• A piano was housed in the theatre and

someone would play music to accompany the action and mood on the screen.

• The individual who was hired to play often made the music up on the spot, depending on what was happening on screen.

• In 1915, the premiere of The Birth of A Nation used the first symphony orchestra as accompaniment for the movie.

• During the 1920’s scoring music for film became standard practice.

• In 1924, a music book called Motion Picture Moods for Pianists and Organists was compiled by Erno Rapee.

Characteristics – Movie Music• Background music• Sets the basic mood• Enhances and intensifies the

drama• Provides continuity• Helps establish character• Gives emotional insight

Background Music

• This music happens off the screen

• It can be pop music from the period of the movie.

• For example, it might be the music playing at a party or in a club.

Setting the Mood//Enhancing the Drama

• Music helps to set the time and the place and the feeling.

• It shows the viewer the essence of the film. It lets the viewer know that they “get” the message.

• It evokes a sense of culture.

• Music should be a part of the whole, without the viewer being aware of it.

• Music is used to enhance the action in a movie.

• In a scary movie, you can tell when something bad is going to happen by listening to the music.

• It triggers anticipation, emotional reactions, heightens suspense, and reinforces climactic moments.

Provides Continuity

• Music helps to connect parts of the movie together.

• Music that recurs throughout the movie helps the viewer view the film as a whole.

• The style in the music remains consistent.

Establishes Character

• Music may establish character.• Musical themes are repeated to

recall important associations.• In the movie Superman

(playing), the theme tells us that the hero is strong, tough, and one of the good guys.

• The music may be used throughout the film to let us know that help is on the way and to announce the entrance of our hero.

Psychological Insight• Music complements the onscreen

action and reinforces the emotional impact of a scene or film.

• In Schindler’s List, the haunting theme is used to heighten a sense of sadness and anguish for those lost during the Holocaust and expresses the grief of Oscar Schindler and his friends that more could not have been done to help save more Jews.

Movie Composer Attributes

• Movie composers have special talents.

• In addition to writing music, they have to make the music fit seamlessly.

• On top of that, they usually conduct the orchestra while recording the score. The music must fit the scene and be timed perfectly.

(John Williams conducting.)

John Williams (b.1932)• Composed music

for almost 80 feature films

• Orchestral conductor and composer

• Steven Spielberg’s composer of choice

• Web page address www.johnwilliams.org

John Williams Movies(Selected)

• Star Wars (all)• Indiana Jones (all)• Harry Potter (all)• E.T.• Jaws• Schindler’s List• Jurassic Park• Superman• The Patriot(How many have you seen?)

More John Williams Movies• Saving Private

Ryan• The Terminal• A.I. (Artificial

Intelligence)• Angela’s Ashes• Stepmom• Hook• Sleepers• Home Alone• Close

Encounters

John Williams Awards• Has won 5 Academy

Awards, 4 for best original score, including Jaws, Star Wars, E.T., and Schindler’s List

• 43 total Academy Award nominations

• 18 Grammys Awards and 52 total nominations

• 3 Golden Globes and 18 total nominations

• 2 Emmy Awards and 5 total nominations. Williams Receives Academy

Award

More Great Movie Composers• Elmer Bernstein• Bernard

Herrmann• Michael Kamen• Alan Silvestri• Jerry Goldsmith• Danny Elfman• Hans Zimmer• James Horner• Trevor Rabin• Trevor Jones

• Howard Shore• James Newton

Howard• Henry Mancini• John Barry• Rachel Portman• Thomas

Newman• Randy Newman• Mark Isham• Marc ShaimanPlaying: Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves by Michael

Kamen

Good Movie Information Sites

• The Internet Movie Database, www.imdb.com/ contains hundreds of links and info on movies, composers, and more.

• Film Music Society, Composer Links www.filmmusicsociety.org/resources_links/resources_links.html

• Dmoz Open Source Database Project dmoz.org/Arts/Music/Movies/Composers/

References:• Amazon.com (2005). Retrieved February 4, 2005 from

http://www.amazon.com/• Fowler, C. (1994). Music: Its Role and Importance in Our Lives,

Chap. 21, pp. 410-421. Glencoe McGraw-Hill, Woodland Hills, California.

• Internet Movie Database (2005). Retrieved January 25, 2005 from

http://www.imdb.com/• JohnWilliams.org (2005). Retrieved February 6, 2005 from

http://www.johnwilliams.org/• John Williams Collection (2005). Retrieved February 15, 2005

from http://mahawa.jw-music.net/interviews/• Kamen, M. (1991). Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves Soundtrack.

Time Warner Company. Burbank, California.• MichaelKamen.com (2005). Retrieved February 7, 2005 from

http://www.michaelkamen.com/site/• MovieMusic.com (2005). Retrieved February 15, 2005 from

http://www.moviemusic.com/vote/poll.asp?id=21• Newman, A. (1977). Spectacular World of Classic Film Scores.

RCA Victor/BMG Music. New York, N.Y.• PhillyDance.com (2005). Retrieved February 16, 2005 from

http://www.phillydance.com/~nationalcontra/• Williams, J. (1999). John Williams Greatest Hits. Sony Classics.

Toronto, Ontario.