There has been much debate over the years about the originality of film music. On the one side there are the purists, who cry foul at the piecing together of classical segments simply because the film composer doesn’t have the time or the originality. On the other side there are the film score gurus, who insist that the composers were merely inspired by the earlier music and used the idea to write their own compositions. One composer in particular that has come under condemnation from the purists is John Williams. He has been accused of “borrowing” from composers as well-known as Dvorak(New World Symphony) and as obscure as Erich Wolfgang Korngold (kings row theme). The underlying debate, however, is not whether or not film composers are borrowing from other composers scores but what makes a piece of music original or copied. The answer to this question is not an easy one to find. There are so many sides, opinions, and conditions to explore and debate that it could take one a lifetime to discover a suitable answer that would satisfy both sides. So, rather than attempt to fit it all into a single essay, I will focus on one facet of the debate; Is John Williams use of other music scores Inspiration or plagiarism? To answer this question we need to first understand the common structure of a film score and the process used to formulate them. Usually, after the film has been coceptualized (or some footage has been actualized), the composer is shown an unpolished "rough cut" of the film, and talks to the director about what sort of music (styles, themes, etc.) should be used — this process is called "spotting.". The director might even have a “temp score”(a score of pieced ol... ... middle of paper ... ...lassical composers, I applaud this man for his creativity, style, but most of all for the great contribution he has made to the music and film world. Works Cited Bond, Jeff. "God Almighty! FSM Finally Talks to John Williams." Film Score Monthly 8.1 (2003): 10-13. IIMP. Web. 6 Dec. 2010. Bond, Jeff. "Zimmer Takes Aim...at FSM." Film Score Monthly 2.7: 21. IIMP. Web. 6 Dec. 2010. "Film Scoring." Wikipedia. Ed. Wikipedia. Jan. 2003. Web. 06 Dec. 2010. . Kaplan, Jon. "Dumped!: Famous and Not-So-Famous Rejected Film Music." Film Score Monthly 8.9 (2003): 24-31. IIMP. Web. 6 Dec. 2010. Karlin, Fred, and Rayburn Wright. On the Track a Guide to Contemporary Film Scoring. 2nd ed. New York: Routledge, 2004. Print. News. ""Kong" Score Tossed Out at 11th Hour."" Film Score Monthly 10.6 (2005): 6. IIMP. Web. 6 Dec. 2010.
music to analyse—in fact, the music runs almost constantly throughout the film without very little
In the film the music is very important. At the beginning it is set at
Bergan, Ronald. "A History of Creative Sound in Film (Abridged)." The Guardian. n.p, 17 July 2008. Web. 11 Jan 2014
The films musical score alerts the viewer to an approaching attack of the shark and they automatically build this association with the music in their mind. Horror films often make use of high string instrument notes that irritate viewers and increase tension. Music plays an important role in film editing and the editor must choose its placement wisely to ensure its intended effect on the viewer’s mind and
John Williams had attended the University of California, but he had also studied in the major of jazz pianist at Juilliard for a short amount of time. He can
Film music has changed since the 1933 original King Kong film, produced by Dino De Laurentiis. Both versions of King Kong are products of their ages. The original film is from the Golden Age era where sound film just began. As many film makers wrestled with the basics of sound films, the technique enhanced into a much more live affect. In the latest King Kong film, which was released in 2005, and produced by Peter Jackson, sound film was much more advanced when it came to the special affects. As I watched each film, I noticed how much has changed in the style, music and sound. Also film making has come a long way and developed into something more inevitable for audiences to watch and enjoy.
John Williams once states, “So much of what we do is ephemeral and quickly forgotten, even by ourselves, so it’s gratifying to have something you have done linger in people’s memories.” John Williams is an incredibly talented composer, scoring the music for over hundred famous films. Some films he has composed the music for include: E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, Jaws, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Home Alone, several Harry Potter movies, and many, many more. Williams has left a legacy for himself that will not soon be forgotten. John Williams has lead a very interesting life. While many will argue, some of Williams best work is in the movies, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Jurassic Park, and Star Wars.
For this essay I will be looking at the work of Hans Zimmer to discuss how music in film engages the viewer and evokes emotion and pulls the viewer toward the film. Hans Zimmer is a German born music composer. Hans Zimmer’s love of music stems from his childhood when he learned how to play various instruments. Before Zimmer began composing music for films he was in a well-known band. The band was called The Buggles whom were famous for their song Video Killed the Radio Star. After the Buggles Zimmer played in other bands but never had another hit. As Zimmer has progressed as a film composer so has his list of nominations and awards. Zimmer has won 4 Grammy Awards and 2 Golden Globes and many more for his outstanding film scores. The reason I chose to write this essay on Zimmer was that his genres and music score are extremely versatile ranging from animations to comedy to dark thrillers. This is important to highlight as it shows Zimmer can create almost any atmosphere with his music whether it be sad or creating tension that all cause us to engage with the film. Zimmer's use of themes and introduction of different instruments allowed him to create these wonderful engaging film score. In this essay I will look at three films by Hans Zimmer these are The Holiday Rush and Rain Man.
Medhurst, A. 1995, “It Sort of Happened Here: The Strange Brief Life of the British Pop Film,” Celluloid jukebox: popular music and the movies since the 50s, pp. 60-71
To the new Star Wars fans the drastic change in the new music may not come as much of a surprise as what it does to the older fans. Although, it is safe to say that the new score pales in comparison to its classic forebear. Composed originally by Alfred Newman in 1933, John Williams composed the Star Wars main title in the same key, which effectively made the theme itself an extension of the fan fare. The quality of the music of the older and newer film are said to be extraordinary, as it has been carried out for so many glorious years. Each piece posse’s particular qualities that make it unique in that movie specifically over a period of time.
Romanticism is the movement in the arts and literature emphasizing inspiration, subjectivity, and the primacy of the individual. This idea originated in the late 18th century, featuring composers such as Felix Mendelssohn, Richard Wagner, Franz Liszt, and Frederic Chopin. In the current 21st century, original classical-styled composition is difficult to discover. These days, unique instrumental music is found movie scores and soundtracks. Some renowned film score composers include Hans Zimmer (The Pirates of the Caribbean), James Howard Newton (The Hunger Games), and John Williams (Star Wars). Though the music in the background of a movie may be subtle, it promotes emotions within the movie. For example, music which is loud and
John Gibbs and Douglas Pye (2005) Style and meaning : studies in the detailed analysis of film. Engalnd: Manchester University Press, pp 42-52.
Howard Shore caused a musical adventure and created an environment musically that helped the audience have an emotional feel for the movie also to help increase the dialogue and action to the film. This allowed the film the “cherry on top” complete feeling; intensifying the movie experience. Throughout the film Howard Shore incorporates many popular artists such as: Sia, Vampire Weekend, Muse, CeeLo Green Beck & Bat for Lashes and the list continues with a few more great bands and artists which were featured in the film. I believe the key to making nearly all movies fall in place and complete is the original score. Howard Shore did a fantastic job using original score pieces. Throughout the film there are eighteen scenes and all of which include music even if it was a original score this helped the scene flow together with the film also allowing the audience to feel the emotions the characters where undergoing as well as the character.
Reisz , K. & Millar, G., 2010. The Technique of Film Editing. Oxford: Taylor & Framis.
Sound is what brings movies to life, but, not many viewers really notice. A film can be shot with mediocre quality, but, can be intriguing if it has the most effective foley, sound effects, underscore, etc. Sound in movies band together and unfold the meaning of the scenes. When actors are speaking, the dialogue can bring emotion to the audience, or, it can be used as the ambient sound. Music is one of the main things to have when filmmaking. The use of Claudia Gorbman’s Seven Principles of Composition, Mixing and Editing in Classical Film gives audiences a perspective of sound, and, how it can have an impact on them.