Bell Ringer What song(s) do you identify with a movie? How did that music affect your enjoyment of the film?
Introduction Music has been an essential part of motion pictures from their earliest days. In the same way we appreciate the camera and good acting, the music brings it all together at times and completes the picture.
The Beginnings Thomas Edison and William Dickson invented the Kinetoscope in 1889: 50 feet of film that moved while an operator cranked it for the film to move
“Peep Shows” Penny arcades Became popular during this time and was the beginning of the motion picture
Thomas Edison 1896 he presented his latest invention: Vitascope This machine projected the Kinetoscope’s images on a wall Audiences were soon flocking to storefronts called “nickelodeons” to enjoy this amazing new novelty Now a public experience
1 st Nickelodeon in the states
What did people watch back then? Circus acts Dances Boxing bouts Comic scenes Normally accompanied by the continuous sound of the piano
Film as an art form!!! Edwin S. Porter 1903 directed The Great Train Robbery 1 st successful western and the beginning of film as an art form
Music for Silent Films Probably was never such a thing Practical at first (noise) Long before films had sound they were accompanied by music A pianist or organist would improvise a musical score on the spot while watching the film on screen Visual image is dominant, therefore the music is adjusted to go with the film
Edison Company Introduced cue sheets to help the musicians plan for the appropriate music to go with the film Added immediacy and life to the film that audiences loved
Erno Rapee During the 1920’s he compiled a book of Motion Picture Moods for pianists and organists Over 200 themes and 52 moods Real talent was being able to match the moods of the music with the visual images on the screen
Keystone Comedy Company Featured policemen known as the Keystone Kops Slapstick comedy accompanied with wild piano music to add humor and excitement of the movement Ex.
Popularity of Silent Films Live musical accompaniment became more elaborate By the mid 20’s symphony orchestras of 90 to 100 musicians were used for films Scoring- composing music expressly for a film The composer now assumed responsibility for the music for the film (very little time)
The “Talkies” How could images and sounds be recorded and reproduced together? 1 st attempt: Vitaphone- was used to create the first talking film Sense of realism Was not a satisfactory solution for long term
Soundtrack A strip along the film to the side of the visual image that contained visual representations of the sound. was the first time that voices and other sounds could be overlaid and played together This innovation led to the end of live music at shows
The Process 1 st - they view the film 2 nd - Spot- when the producer and director determine which scenes should have music Very limited time for the composer so they must work rapidly 3 rd - Mag track- music recorded on film coated with oxide surface like sound tape ( before digital age) 4 th - Dubbing- putting all the elements of sound- dialogue, sound effects, and music-onto one track
The Purposes Establish mood- “heart of the film” Enhance the drama- depends on the type of film and may establish character (Superman) Film continuity- unified flow of action from beginning to end The return of the opening theme at the end of the film is commonly used to tie the film all together
Film music is important to a story Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences recognize one song each year for an Oscar Life of Pi – Mychael Danna Life of PiMychael Danna
John Williams May be the most successful film composer ever Began writing in the 1960’s Made it big in the 70’s Ex. Jaws Star Wars E.T. Raiders of the Lost Ark Home Alone Schindler’s List
Alan Menken American composer known for: Little Shop of Horrors (1982) The Little Mermaid (1989) Aladdin (1992) Recent works: A Christmas Carol Pocahontas TV series Lincoln