A working definition of film music – theory derived from practice Film music is often defined by where it appears: in films. Sometimes by how it sounds: orchestral, atmospheric, emotional. Sometimes by what it does: underscore, theme, background. All of these descriptions …
Tempo, rhythm, time – the foundation of film music, before harmony and themes When film music is discussed, the conversation usually starts with harmony, themes, or style. But long before a single chord is chosen, a film has already made a far …
Everybody loves big themes – but in film music, chords & harmony do the real work When people talk about film music, they usually talk about themes. They hum melodies, remember opening titles, associate films with iconic musical ideas. And that makes …
Crafting Film Music That Lasts – From Live Orchestra to Bold Beats The creation of film music is both a creative and a technical process. It spans several phases: from the initial idea to the final soundtrack, we at JP Composers work …
Underscoring – The art of musical invisibility Underscoring is a subtle but powerful technique in the world of film music. A well-made underscore enhances emotions without pushing itself to the fore. It is the art of using music in such a way …
When sound anticipates the future: Foreshadowing in music and sound design Foreshadowing is the deliberate anticipation of future events through subtle hints. In the script or editing, it is usually an image, a sentence, a seemingly incidental moment that only unfolds its …
Evolution of film music: From silent films to blockbusters to streaming The evolution of film music has been and remains fascinating – from the improvised piano accompaniments of the silent film era to the iconic orchestral scores for cinema blockbusters to modern, …
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 …
The art of minimalist film music Minimalist film music focuses on conveying profound emotions using the simplest means possible. It eschews complex arrangements in favor of repetition, simplicity, and subtle variation. In this article, we’ll explore how, when, and why minimalist film …
How streaming (has) changed film music, too We have fully arrived in the age of streaming. The way in which films and series are consumed has changed fundamentally thanks to platforms such as Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime. This also affects film …