The Role of Music in Film; Sound and Vision is an excitng foray into the world of cinema and music which will enhance any film lover's depth of understanding of the medium of film. Have you ever been distracted by a film's music? Was this a good thing? Writing music for film is particular skill and affords a special place in the world of composition. From the early days when silent movies were accompanied by live piano or organ playing to today's expansive spectrum of tonal and atonal sounds, many of which are created in the digital domain, the musical accompaniment might either elevate our experience of the film to new heights, or create an unresolvable schism that clashes with the underlying narrative and scenic progression. It's not an easy task for composers; here we create a little time to explore what makes a soundtrack 'in tune', allowing for a truly immersive experience.
Course aim
This course is an introduction to the role of the soundtrack in film. Participants will be encouraged to use an analytical approach in forming their own views as to the relative success of a range of soundtracks across multiple film genres.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- This course is for beginners and improvers
- Experience of watching and enjoying films.
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Describe the work of at least THREE famous soundtrack composers identified with particular film genres
- Utilise an analytical framework to evaluate and assess the relative merit of any given film soundtrack
- Compare and Evaluate TWO scenes from different films in terms of the appropriateness of the accompanying music
- Identify FOUR principal musical mechanisms involved in creating LIGHT and DARK moods in film
What else do I need to know?
Participants are encouraged to bring an open mind, and perhaps be prepared to talk a little about films they have enjoyed, particularly where the music is memorable.
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