The Art of Music: How to Use Sound to Tell Your Story
For better emphasis on the importance of sound to film, there was a time when movies were made with just music and no spoken word. These were called silent films and they existed before spoken word or speech was heard from the actors by the audience. The activity on screen was accompanied by music and occasional subtitles that conveyed the action to the viewers.
One could sit through a movie without hearing a single word from the actors, but still, understand every single thing because music and sounds were used appropriately in such a way that the audience was communicated with.
But over the last century of union between motion pictures and music, this relationship has matured and strengthened such that the supporting role of music in film is not seen as peripheral by great filmmakers, but as critically important. This has led cinematic greats to say things like "the sound and music is 50% of the entertainment in a movie" according to George Lucas, or "Music and film are inseparable. They always have been and always will be" according to Martin Scorcese.
Just how important is sound to films?
When music meets moving images, it directs us how we should feel about what we are watching. The power of music comes from the emotional suggestion and commentary it makes about the film. When coupled with other forms of communication, music is the primary factor in guiding our emotions.
A film must first lay out exposition, create setups, and perform the hard work of grabbing your attention before earning your trust simply to get you emotionally engaged enough to be moved when the love interest dies. On the other hand, music can connect with your emotions in a couple of seconds. And so, music can wreck the director's intentions if the music is telling the audience something that conflicts with the goals of the story.
The Fast and Furious franchise is ridiculously badass and when taken apart, it is apparent that the role of music in the set of movies is clear. Each entrance scene, fight scene, and every scene that had vehicles defying the laws of gravity, the music that accompanied added pulse-stopping intensity that kept audiences glued to the screen.
In every good horror movie, music has added to the factor of fear. The simple act of taking a shower would be made scary with the choice of music in the scene’s underlay. Jump scares are made possible with select sounds and one can tell when the scenes are building up to a final stand-off with the music being used.
Sad movies are real tear-jackers because of the equally sad music accompanying them. Comedy movies make use of more upbeat music when showing scenes with death to give a more unserious light-hearted vibe, as opposed to movies about war.
According to Year 10 Music, there are many different ways in which music can enhance a film;
Music can create a mood or atmosphere in a much shorter time than words and pictures can.
Music can be a part of the storyline.
Music can provide information by setting an atmosphere, period or a specific country or place.
It can suggest something about to happen even though the visual image may not.
It can build suspense or heighten the intensity of the visual image.
It can emphasize an emotion so that the audience’s reaction will be stronger.
Music can tell the audience about the personality or state of mind or thoughts of a character in a way that the words and pictures may not.
A lot of filmmakers and producers do not give music and sound their proper reverence.
Because the worth of music in a film isn't usually discussed or communicated clearly, money is not spent on obtaining better music, especially as it is seen as a background filler to the imagery.
Thus there are many different purposes that music can have in a film. There are in effect two main forms of film music – realistic and functional.
Realistic
Any sort of musical performance that takes place in the middle of the action as part of the plot. It must have been composed before the film's production because it is so well interwoven into the plot.
Functional
Functional music is one that, like the name, plays a function. It supports the plot by emphasizing emotion, atmosphere, or action. As a result, it becomes a crucial component of the film's dramatic rhythm. Because it must be perfectly synchronized with the final cut, most functional music is created or arranged after the film has been shot and edited.
The following categories exist under functional music group;
Neutral music: A sort of ambient music intended to fill in the gaps in the story progression where there is a perceived pause or weakness. As a result, a possible gap in the picture is given a feeling of speed or tempo. This sort of music never interferes with the storyline or speech.
Atmosphere music: Music that is meant to evoke a specific scene, location, or ambiance. This can include regional nationalistic or folk music and the usage of a country-specific instrument such as the gong or the shekere.
Source music: In certain movies, special pre-composed music is utilized to support the cinematic theme. The plot may necessitate the use of a radio, nightclub music, or a street busker.
Title music: A film usually opens with the title track. It is the music that plays as the film's title, cast, and credits are displayed. The goal of title music is to grab the audience's attention and provide them some insight into the sort of film they're going to watch. Some film studios prefer to utilize a pop song as the title music since it can help with marketing.
Action music: This is where the composer has the music match the action on the screen to a tee. The method became known as "Mickey mousing" since it was common in early cartoon music composing. A decrease in pitch is accompanied by an ascending scale, a bow or a boom is accompanied by a loud discordant and highly orchestrated chord, and climbing up stairs is accompanied by an ascending scale.
Mood music: This is music composed intentionally to generate a mood and, as a result, an emotional reaction. Musical language may express any mood or feeling. To create the appropriate tone color, certain instruments, melodies, rhythmic patterns, and harmonies are combined. To aid composers, lists of instruments linked with certain moods and the register in which specific tone colors occurred were previously provided.
Mood music accounts for about half of all music composed for a film. The current composer's task is to come up with fresh methods to create a mood without relying on clichéd combinations that musicians in the past established in the early 1900s.
Now that the classes and functions of music in film have been examined, we can now proceed to tips that would help in music selection, and how to use music to tell your story.
Aural and visual tones should be matched
You should select music or a composition that corresponds to the film's intended tone. If it is a sad movie, choose a sad song. A comedy should have more upbeat music and an action movie should have energetic pulsating music.
The message is not only communicated through the song's melody or tempo but could also be communicated through the lyrics of the music - if it is a piece with lyrics. As funny as it may be, old Nollywood’s usage of composed songs that literally told the whole story comes close to this point. Make sure your lyrics match the tone of your film.
Because the lyrics are too contrasting, sad lyrics with an uplifting tune may not fit with an upbeat visual. Slower tunes with pleasant lyrics are the same way. Make sure the entire article corresponds to the message you wish to convey.
Don't match on purpose and do the exact opposite
You can take the path of the filmmakers who, on the other hand, make use of an "inappropriate" song or composition to depict turmoil in a peaceful setting or calmness in a chaotic scenario. This is frequently used for comic effect.
In the “Finding Dory's” finale, where the vehicle leaps over the cliff and the entire movie slows down as "What a Wonderful World" begins to play, is an example of serenity amid a chaotic circumstance.
Highlight the crucial moments
The enormous swelling melodies that put on a surge of emotions are well-known in sports movies. It's difficult not to have a tremendous influence on the audience when you use such an epic and swelling piece of music — so keep that in mind if you want it to be more subtle — but generally, you can use an epic soundtrack to really home in on the feeling you want to express.
Never be scared to be bold, as long as it suits.
Transport viewers to a specific time and place
If you just heard Fela Kuti music while watching a movie in the next room, you'd know it was set in the 1970s. Similarly, the soundtrack in a film might reveal if it is a Kdrama or not.
The use of specific music might help filmmakers focus on certain dates and historical periods. Of course, various generations will have different reactions to these styles, but the main line is that they weave a rich tapestry for when and where a story takes place, and they may transport viewers to that historical period to feel the same emotions.
Fill the void with music
Music selections are sometimes purposefully kept simple so as not to detract from the on-screen action. This is common in documentary or interview-based videos when a basic music bed for the atmosphere is desired, but it may also occur in large blockbuster blockbusters.
There's nothing wrong with including a simple, unimpressive track in your work; just make sure it's appropriate for the topic.
No music is good too
You can make a statement by not making a statement. If anything, scenes of full films that have no music are eerily realistic and have a way of crawling under your skin.
Dramatic situations depicted in real-time with natural noises may be an effective psychological tool for demonstrating the severity and realism of a situation. If there is no background sound and the audience is merely waiting for something to happen, it may enhance tension and suspense.
If you notice that a scene is missing anything while viewing it, consider adding a track to see if it helps, but don't be afraid to leave it alone for a more immersive experience.
Music can make or break your film, and it may take a lot of trial and error to find what works and what your audiences can relate with.
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