Bell Ringer

What song(s) do you identify with a movie? How did that music affect your enjoyment of the film?

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

1st 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 1st 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?

1st 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.

1933- 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

1st- they view the film 2nd- Spot- when the producer and director

determine which scenes should have music Very limited time for the composer so they

must work rapidly 3rd - Mag track- music recorded on film

coated with oxide surface like sound tape ( before digital age)

4th- 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

2012 Life of Pi – Mychael 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