Psychology of film music: Why it works Film music has special abilities: it evokes emotions, changes the perception of scenes, and engages the audience more deeply in the plot. But why does film music have such a powerful effect on us? The answer lies in the psychology of listening and emotional processing. In this article, … Read more
How music shapes expectations in films – and how this creates tension Music is a central element in creating tension in a movie. Tension is “only” the condensed form of a much more fundamental psychological mechanism – anticipation. Music can be used to shape, modulate and contrast emotional anticipations. The targeted use of melody, rhythm … Read more
How film music intensifies emotions: psychological insights Film music can be much more than mere background music, more than just an illustrative underscore. Film music can influence the emotional reactions of the audience. Through melody, rhythm, texture and harmony, it creates connections between images and people that influence our perception and feelings. “Suddenly pictures say … Read more