Movie Soundtrack - article by Good English Article Sites

Movie Soundtrack

Imagine a film without any music. It feels weird doesn't it? A lot of time and effort goes into the movie soundtrack, whether it is background music or a full-blown score. Music has always been added to movies, from the silent era to today. Sometimes, a song will become a hit as part of the publicity for a film, but is only played as the credits roll and everyone has left the theatre.

Songs have a strong connection to some film scenes, such as the theme song from Titanic, Iggy Pop's Lust for Life in Trainspotting or the standard, As Time Goes By from Casablanca. Movie soundtrack albums are another moneymaking opportunity. Audiences who have loved the film want the songs to remind them of the experience. Of course, in the case of musicals, the songs are the experience. The music in The Sound of Music and West Side Story tells the story with each song moving the narrative along. Sometimes, the actor or actress isn't up to the task of singing and a singer dubs their parts. Natalie Wood in West Side Story and Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady were both dubbed.

Film music is used to evoke certain emotions, such as sadness, tension, fear, romance or excitement. The sounds are carefully chosen for the effect as the wrong selection can completely alter a scene. Everyone knew something unpleasant was coming when the violins started to screech in an Alfred Hitchcock movie. Some musical effects are calling cards for the appearance of a character, as in Jaws whenever the shark comes along. The movie soundtrack may not have a conscious impact on the audience but the film would not work if it were taken away. It's an international language and understood by anyone from anywhere who has heard the chase music from a Keystone Cops film.

Film directors and film composers work closely together to produce a creative collaboration. Peter Jackson, director of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, was much involved with the musical choices for each scene. There are the playful tunes of the Shire, home of the Hobbits and the dark, menacing music of the Orcs. A movie soundtrack for a movie franchise usually has key phrases running through it, as in the James Bond score or the Superman films. The similarities in the music give the series a sense of continuity. The music for a film is as important as the editing, cinematography or script.

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