Movies have become an integral part of our lives. They have the power to entertain, educate, and uplift us. However, what makes a great movie stand out is its ability to evoke emotions in the viewers. And one of the most powerful tools that filmmakers use to do that is music. In this article, we will explore the role of music in shaping film emotions.
The Power of Music in Film
Have you ever watched a movie without music? If you have, you know how boring and lifeless it can be. Music has the power to captivate us from the first scene and take us on a journey with the characters. It can create tension, suspense, or romance in a matter of seconds. It sets the tone of the movie, and it can make us feel what the characters are feeling. For example, in the iconic movie “Jaws,” the ominous and repetitive two-note motif is enough to send shivers down our spine.
Music is so powerful in film that it can even make us cry. A well-composed piece of music can make us feel empathy towards the characters and their struggles. It can help us connect with them on an emotional level and make us invested in the movie’s outcome. For example, the soundtrack of “Titanic” is so iconic that it’s hard not to feel tears rolling down our cheeks when we hear the theme song “My Heart Will Go On.”
“Music can name the unnameable and communicate the unknowable.” – Leonard Bernstein
In the iconic movie “Jaws,” the ominous and repetitive two-note motif is enough to send shivers down our spines. It builds suspense, signaling the presence of danger lurking beneath the surface. Similarly, the soundtrack of “Titanic” is so deeply ingrained in our collective memory that hearing the timeless theme song “My Heart Will Go On” instantly evokes feelings of love, loss, and longing. The emotional power of these melodies is undeniable, and it is through the art of music scoring that these emotions come alive on the silver screen.
The Artistry of Scoring Films
Scoring a film is an intricate art form that requires a deep understanding of both music and storytelling. A film composer must collaborate closely with the director to comprehend the vision and emotional landscape of the movie. Together, they embark on a creative journey to craft a score that seamlessly intertwines with the visuals, enhancing the narrative and connecting the audience to the characters on a profound level. The composer becomes a storyteller in their own right, using music as a language to convey emotions and enhance the cinematic experience.
“Film music is emotional, transcendent, and has the power to touch our souls.” – Hans Zimmer
Understanding the Movie’s Vision
To score a film effectively, a composer must first immerse themselves in the world of the movie. This is actually one of my favourite parts. To delve into its themes, characters, and underlying emotions, gaining a deep understanding of the director’s vision. By empathizing with the story and its protagonists, then translating these emotions into musical language. Whether it’s the triumph of a hero, the despair of a tragedy, or the exhilaration of an adventure, the task is to create a sonic landscape that resonates with the audience.
Choosing the Right Instruments, Melodies, and Rhythms
Just as a painter selects the perfect brushstroke, a film composer carefully chooses the musical elements that will bring the story to life. The selection of instruments, melodies, and rhythms is paramount in evoking specific emotions and enhancing the narrative. Each instrument has its own unique timbre and emotional quality, capable of conveying a wide range of feelings. From the delicate notes of a piano to the soaring strings of an orchestra, the choice of instrumentation shapes the emotional landscape of the film.
For example, in the Harry Potter series, composer John Williams used the enchanting sounds of the celesta to represent the whimsical and magical world of Hogwarts. This choice instantly transports us into a realm of wonder and imagination, mirroring the emotions experienced by the characters. Such thoughtful selection and arrangement of musical elements contribute to the overall emotional impact of the film.
The Timing and Use of Silence
In film scoring, timing is everything. The placement of music within a scene can heighten the impact of a moment or create a sense of tension and anticipation. A skilled film composer knows when to weave melodies seamlessly into the narrative and when to use silence as a tool to amplify emotions. Silence can be just as powerful as music itself, allowing the audience to absorb the weight of a pivotal scene or building suspense before a climactic moment.
I personally consider the movie “The Matrix” as an important turning point in how music is used in film. Especially by the way in which the music is sometimes strategically left out. It created a sense of suspense and anticipation that has often been mirrored in other films.
Celebrating Diversity: Female Film Composers
While the world of film scoring has historically been male-dominated, there is a growing recognition of the talent and creativity brought forth by female film composers. These remarkable artists have made significant contributions to the world of cinema, infusing their compositions with unique perspectives and emotions. Their work challenges stereotypes and brings a fresh voice to the art of film music.
One such trailblazer is Rachel Portman, the first female composer to win an Academy Award for Best Original Score. Her evocative compositions, such as those in “Emma” and “The Cider House Rules,” have left an indelible mark on the industry. By embracing diversity in film music, we enrich the emotional tapestry of movies and offer a broader range of perspectives and experiences for audiences to connect with.
The Emotional Connection: Image and Music
Film music goes beyond being a mere accompaniment to the visual storytelling. It forms an emotional bond between the image and the audience, intensifying our connection to the characters and their experiences. Music has the extraordinary ability to heighten our empathy and transport us into the heart of the story. It can make us laugh, cry, and feel a profound sense of joy or sorrow. The marriage of image and music creates a powerful synergy that elevates the emotional impact of a film.
“Music is the shorthand of emotion.” – Leo Tolstoy
Conclusion
In the realm of filmmaking, music scoring is a vital and transformative element that brings narratives to life, evoking emotions and captivating audiences worldwide. It is an art form that requires skill, creativity, and an understanding of the intricate dance between image and sound. As film lovers, we should appreciate the immense talent and dedication of film composers who pour their hearts into creating the perfect score. So, the next time you watch a movie, pay attention to the melodies that move you, for they have the power to transport you to extraordinary emotional journeys that will stay with you long after the final chord fades away.
So, the next time you watch a movie, pay attention to the music. Listen to how it makes you feel and how it affects the movie’s overall impact. You might be surprised by how much you’re missing when you’re not paying attention to the melodies that move.
“Film music can reach depths of meaning that words alone cannot.” – Clint Mansell
The influence of Tina Turner, Ella Fitzgerald, and Janis Joplin
As a woman, artist and a music lover, I have always been fascinated by the impact that female singers have had on the industry. The recent death of Tina Turner has made me reflect on the impact she and other female artists have had on the music industry. Whether Tina Turner or Ella Fitzgerald or Janis Joplin, these extraordinairy women not only broke barriers but shattered stereotypes and changed the music industry forever. In this blog, I will explore the lives and legacies of these three incredible women and the impact they have had on the industry today.
The Influence of Female Singers on the Music Industry
Music has always been a male-dominated industry. From the early days of rock and roll to the present day, men have been the face of music. However, female singers have been making waves in the industry for decades, challenging the status quo and paving the way for future generations. These women have overcome adversity, broken down barriers, and redefined what it means to be a musician.
Tina Turner: Overcoming Adversity and Dominating the Stage
Tina Turner is a true icon in the music industry. Born Anna Mae Bullock in Nutbush, Tennessee, Turner rose to fame as the lead singer of the Ike and Tina Turner Revue. Despite the success of the group, Turner’s personal life was filled with abuse and turmoil. She eventually left Ike and went solo, releasing hits like “What’s Love Got to Do With It” and “Private Dancer”.
Turner’s ability to overcome adversity and dominate the stage is what made her a true legend. She was a force to be reckoned with, using her powerful voice and electrifying performances to captivate audiences around the world. Turner broke down barriers for women in the music industry, proving that they could be just as successful as men. She was also one of the few artist (male or female) that managed to have an even more successful career as a solo performer after the age of 40!
Ella Fitzgerald: The Queen of Jazz and Breaking Racial Barriers
Ella Fitzgerald is widely regarded as one of the greatest jazz singers of all time and my personal role model. No other singer flirts with the most difficult notes as Ella did! Born in Newport News, Virginia, Fitzgerald’s talent was discovered at an amateur night at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. She went on to sign with Decca Records and release hits like “A-Tisket, A-Tasket” and “Summertime”.
Fitzgerald’s impact on the music industry goes beyond her incredible voice and talent. She also broke down racial barriers, becoming the first African American woman to win a Grammy Award. She paved the way for future generations of black musicians, proving that talent knows no race.
Janis Joplin: Challenging Gender Stereotypes and Redefining Rock and Roll
Janis Joplin was a trailblazer in the male-dominated world of rock and roll. Born in Port Arthur, Texas, Joplin moved to San Francisco in the 1960s and became a part of the counterculture movement. She released hits like “Piece of My Heart” and “Me and Bobby McGee” and became known for her powerful, bluesy voice.
Joplin challenged gender stereotypes and redefined what it meant to be a female musician. She was unapologetically herself, refusing to conform to society’s expectations of what a woman should be. Her legacy lives on today, inspiring women to be true to themselves and break down barriers.
The Impact of Female Singers on the Music Industry Today
The impact of female singers on the music industry today cannot be overstated. Women like Beyonce, Adele, and Taylor Swift are dominating the charts and breaking down barriers. They are using their platforms to advocate for change and inspire future generations of female musicians.
Unfortunately, there is still work to be done. Women are still underrepresented in the music industry, especially behind the scenes. It is up to all of us to continue the legacy of women like Tina Turner, Ella Fitzgerald, and Janis Joplin and fight for equality in the industry.
Let’s celebrate the Legacy of Female Singers in Music
Female singers have had a profound impact on the music industry. Tina Turner, Ella Fitzgerald and Janis Joplin are just a few women that have redefined the status quo of women. As we celebrate their legacies, let us not forget the female musicians that have had a ground breaking impact behind the scenes.
Even today, less then 5% of all music producers are women and the same can unfortunately be said about film composers.
It was a woman, Sylvia Robinson, who produced Sugar Hill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight” and Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five’s “The Message” and is widely credited for bringing Hip-Hop into mainstream. It was another woman, Sylvia Massay, who shaped the unmistakable sound of The Red Hot Chilli Peppers. And let us not forget Linda Perry, former front woman of the 4NonBlondes, who has a great career as a producer and songwriter working with P!nk, Christina Aguilera, and Alicia Keys, to name a few. Yet – neither she nor any other woman – has ever won a Grammy for producer of the year!
It is our responsibility to continue to fight for equality and create a more inclusive space for all. Let us honour the legacy of Tina, Ella, Janis and all the other great female singers by creating a better future for female musicians in the industry.
First and foremost we have to understand that there is no “Artificial Intelligence” – “AI” is just a marketing gimmick. What??? Let me explain. Here is a definition of intelligence as described in Wikipedia (full article here)
Intelligence has been defined in many ways: the capacity for abstraction, logic, understanding, self-awareness, learning, emotional knowledge, reasoning, planning, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. More generally, it can be described as the ability to perceive or infer information, and to retain it as knowledge to be applied towards adaptive behaviors within an environment or context.
The only characteristic of the above described that might apply to “AI” is learning. “AI” is in reality ARPP: an Algorithm Responding to Preset Parameters. There is no capacity for abstraction. No self-awareness. No reasoning, planning, creativity, critical thinking and not even problem solving. As for an ARPP there is no problem to solve. That is entered by the human that starts a query. But “Artificial Intelligence” sounds so much sexier, marketable than Algorithm Responding to Preset Parameters. “AI” is thought provoking, scary, enigmatic, mind-blowing! ARPP is – well – just another software code. “AI” is Emotional Marketing ABC. Emotional Marketing, or, as Forbes put it “The Super Weapon of Marketing and Advertising” (read article here)
Now will ARPP have an impact on music (you will not see me using AI again) Of course it will.
I have dabbled with AI
Call it a fact finding mission. GPT was neither the first, nor the only one. The one I use is called WriteSonic. And yes – I do have a subscription. So here is the ARPP response to the following query I used to give you an example: “Write a 300 word post on music and AI”
Music and AI: The Future of Music Production
The potential of AI in the music industry has been a popular topic of discussion lately. AI has the potential to revolutionize the way music is produced, recorded, and distributed. With the help of AI, music producers can create more complex and interesting sounds and music styles, which can reach a wider audience.
AI can also be used to automate certain aspects of music production, such as song composition, sound design, and mixing. For example, AI can be used to analyze a song and automatically create a corresponding drum pattern. This can make it much easier for producers to create custom drum patterns for different songs. Additionally, AI can be used to analyze the complexity of a song and suggest the best ways to mix it, allowing for a more seamless workflow.
AI can also be used to analyze a song’s structure and suggest changes or improvements. This could potentially reduce the amount of time it takes to produce a track by helping producers find the right sound or arrangement more quickly.
AI could also be used to help music producers distribute their work. AI-driven platforms could help musicians get their music to the right audience more quickly and efficiently, while also reducing costs associated with marketing and distribution. AI could also be used to recommend songs to potential fans, based on their past listening histories and preferences.
Overall, AI has the potential to revolutionize the music industry by providing producers with more efficient and powerful tools to create their music. From song composition and sound design, to mixing and distribution, AI could help producers create unique sounds and reach a wider audience. While this technology is still in its early stages, it is certainly worth exploring and could bring about some exciting changes to the music industry.
It took the ARPP less than a minute to write it. Impressive, right? The algorithm crawls through the web, pulls out information, rewrites it in lightning speed and voila! You have your requested piece for a post/ blog/ article. Just imagine that human would search through text on the web, in books, publications and articles, re-write it and then pass it off as their own work. We have a word for that. Plagiarism. Because no matter how sophisticated the ARPP is, it can only ever find what already was written.
We have a word for that. Plagiarism!
And this is where I see the biggest threat in ARPP. There is no accountability. No reference to the original source. No possibility to check if a reference is open to interpretation or if it was taken out of context. Let us – for the sake of the argument – play with this idea: in about a month someone starts a similar query to an algorithm:” Write a critical 300 word post on music and AI” and the algorithm finds this blog and the mention of ARPP as and alternative name for AI. There will be no mention of the source, no mention who came up with that alternative abbreviation, no credit for the creator (me). Now let us take that scenario and use it for a love song. My Query in WriteSonic: “Love song” Topic: “Forever yours” Genre “Alternative”. It gave me 3 alternative results:
You’re the one I want to keep around/ Even when the world’s against us/ You’re the one who makes me feel alive/ And I don’t know what I’d do without you/ I’m not sure I could go on/ Without you by my side/ I love you, forever yours
I don’t know what I’d do/ If you were to go/ I don’t know what I’d do/ If you were to leave me/ I don’t know what I’d do/ If you were to disappear/ And never come back/ I don’t know what I’d do/ If you were to stay with me/ And never let me go
You’re the one that I want to be with/ The one that I want to be with/ The one that I want to be with/ You’re the one that I want to be with/ Forever yours
Okay – none of these results blow my mind away, but – how can I even be sure some of these lines are not already used in a song and credited to someone else? How will I know if by using these lyrics I am not infringing on copyright? Remember, Algorithms can only regurgitate what has already been created.
AVIA
When it comes to music creation – we already many steps further: AIVA (Artificial Intelligence Virtual Artist) – and algorithm that has even managed to get recognised by SACEM and an electronic composer! “By reading a large collection of existing works of classical music (written by human composers such as Bach, Beethoven, Mozart) AIVA is capable of detecting regularities in music and on this base composing on its own” (link to the full article on Wikipedia here). If you decide to use the algorithm you will even have to give it credit for the composition. Is this creation? Plagiarism? Whatever you decide it is that AVIA does – at least it is transparent. And you will see they only used classical composers for the “learning” process. Why? Because their work is no longer protected by copyright – are now public domain works, these classical music pieces may be freely copied, distributed, adapted, or performed in public without permission or paying a fee – royalty free (see source).
Legal consequences
So how will it be in the music creation of popular music? When we start using ARPP to fill in sections of songs, help with writers blocks or create a riff for a guitar? Algorithms can only reproduce what already has been created. When will we see the first lawsuit against an algorithm that ripped off somebody else’s work and – more interestingly – who gets sued? The composer? The algorithm? (Unlikely as to my knowledge a lawsuit can be brought against a person, business, organization or even a government – none of which applies to an algorithm) Or the business that created the algorithm? I am sure it will not be the latter – they will have some fine print that dumps the responsibility on the users shoulders…
Conclusion
Chat GPT and other algorithms like it will have a massive impact on our lives, work and also on music creation. We will learn to work with it and utilise it as a helpful tool. But unfortunately, again, a new technological innovation has been released into the world without any consideration to the consequences. ARPPs will be used to take over the more mundane tasks in work. Legal documents, newsletters, resumes, ads (in my case I will definitely continue to use it for starters for my Instagram captions and hashtag search) …and in a positive outcome it will free up more time for our core tasks – as actually creating music! But no one thought to adress legal consequences (can we hold algorithms responsible for intellectual theft?), job loss or the impact on the educational system. Per example: should algorithms be obliged to provide a list of its sources? Similar to students who have to include a reference list in their research? For me the real danger in using ARPPs as Chat GPT lies in the undermining of intellectual property. We need to start developing systems applying the same thoroughness for releasing virtual products to the market as we do to physical ones.
Create and feel great!
Beatrice
PS: after long consideration I decided to leave a tip jar on my website. If people are eager to pay for algorithms, surely original thoughts are worth something 😉 I would appreciate a contribution!
In the past decades the introduction of DAW has undoubtedly been the largest game shift in the music production industry.The ability for musicians of all skill levels to create, record, and produce their own songs to a passable standard has put the traditional record industry on its head and given artists direct possibilities to release their music without any gatekeepers in-between. Let us explore this further:
DAW’s impact on artists
Where before as an artist you had to find a recording studio and invest a lot of time and money to record – now all you need ia a computer, instal a DAW and connect some hardware. This enables you to record song starters you can later develop with your band, record your practice sessions, record complete songs, create demo tapes or even – if you have a laptop and are gigging – record your live performances and use as merchandise or even develop songs for official release – although the latter requires a lot of training and experience. Even so, today, in the heart of most recording studios, you will find the same DAW’s as you can use from home. The days when studio time was valuable and only the most famous and well-paid musicians in the world were allowed to spend any extended periods creating and recording are long gone.
Experiment, experiment
DAW have also opened a complete new array of sound design. There are numerous ways in how to edit (read: change) your audio in a DAW: echo, reverse it, stretch it, distort it, double it… the possibilities are endless!! Try having a go at it and try it out PRO TIP: if you like and effect write down what you did so you can duplicate it on another song later!
You will find it is hard keeping up with the most recent trends and changes in DAW technology and how they affect music because it is moving so quickly. But never forget:
There is no doubt that the DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) has had a massive impact on music production and composition. Whenever I speak to people that know nothing about working with a DAW, there seems to be the misconception that a DAW is only being used in EDM (Electronic Dance Music) HipHop in all its variety or Pop. This is of course far from true. DAW’s have had a massive impact on composing orchestral music, too. Especially for film.
How DAW’s have changed Music part I : Orchestreal and Soundtrack
The main advantage of a DAW is that it comes with audio-plugins. All DAW come with pre – installed plugins but it becomes really interesting as you can purchase and use plugins from third parties so you can customise your sound.
It gets even more interesting when you start using VST (Virtual Studio Instruments). Also here, whatever DAW you use will have some pre-installed but it gets really interesting once you use third party ones.
Pre DAW, mostly a composer sat at her/ his desk, write the music in notation, imagining what it should sound like later and unless present during rehearsals would have no influence on the musical execution of the work. Composing with a DAW lets you hear your composition in real time. And if writing for, per example, a movie, you can share your vision with the film director and/or music editor as you create it.
Having said that, composing orchestreal work with a DAW comes – as everything – with its pros and cons:
Pro’s
SAMPLES* – Without a doubt, the greatest advantage of the DAW’s introduction is the availability of high-quality instrument samples. Now that there are no longer any evident budget or time constraints that a live orchestra would impose, composers can experiment with an infinite number of sound combinations and make them almost sound as though they are being performed live. *In this case I am not talking about snippets of a song reused or integrated in a new song. I am referring to samples in VST instrumentation where real, live performances are recorded and then assigned to a key for your midi keyboard so you can integrate them in your composition (There will be a blog post on this at a later date).
WHENEVER WHEREVER – For many composers like myself working from a home studio it would would never have been possible to direct an orchestra and create a symphony. It is undeniable that the DAW has significantly expanded the scope of composition, not just for movies but in general. Despite its flaws, this could only have been beneficial for music in general.
AUDIO PLUGINS – The DAW’s powerful audio plugins brought up a whole new world sounds, even only in terms of orchestral music. Infinitive reverbs, time stretches, reverse effects – all this enables a complete new array of soundscapes to explore and experiment with.
NO END IN SIGHT – In comparison to other industries, the entertainment business is growing, with more content producers creating more content than ever before. Younger composers can learn how to write music for this industry with the help of the DAW, which provides them with more opportunities than ever before and it keeps expanding every day.
Cons
WHAT YOU HEAR IS NOT WHAT YOU WOULD GET – Using samples in a DAW has a number of knock-on effects that occasionally have a significant impact on composition. A prominent example of this is the neglect of woodwinds and brass, which sound the most “unrealistic” of all the sampled instruments. As it sound horrible when played back in a DAW, composers tend to avoid them. Also using standard orchestral methods, such as halted horns, muted strings, and string effects like ponticello and sul tasto, which give the orchestra its distinctive range of colour, are very hard to accomplish in a DAW (or tend to be very frustrating to implement even if you know how to), so are skipped frequently.
LOSS OF SKILLS – In reality, you don’t really need any background in orchestration to produce music that can sound fantastically orchestral in a DAW with samples. I, for one, full heartedly admit, could not compose without DAWs. It is blatantly clear that scoring now requires less technical competence. This isn’t immediately noticed because music is still being made and might turn out to sound fantastic. However, much needed skill and knowledge such as orchestration are definitely in decline. And those skill are still needed when handing completed work to a live orchestra.
PLAYABILITY – Just using a MIDI keyboard will not give you the full feel of a real instrument. Playing an instrument is much more intuitive. Nothing replaces a real musician. A DAW is foremost a tool.
LIVE ORCHESTRA PERFORMANCE – The amount of produced music being performed live has significantly decreased due to the improving quality and realism of samples within the DAW. Movies with low or medium budgets typically completely substitute a live orchestra with samples. Therefor composing with a DAW might have improved the creation side of music – but at the expense of the performing/ recording musician. That having said, a number of real orchestras can only survive today because they are being hired to record soundtracks for film.
SOCIAL CONTACT – As in all industries where automation processes have entered, it comes at a cost of social interaction. I remember once working in a company where I was instructed to write emails to a colleague who was sitting one desk away from me rather than walking over to him and ask him in person. Also in the music industry many of these direct interactions between composer/ director/ writer/ editor were eventually abandoned when the DAW emerged. In the majority of situations, being a composer becomes an increasingly solitary occupation where especially in the music industry, the best ideas come when playing together.
