Name:
Instructor:
Course:
Date:
The Role of Music in Films
The role of music and its significance in the film industry is something that cannot be overlooked or taken for granted. Although not many people think of it as a serious matter, the absence of it in a film would be the best way to demonstrate the importance of music in films. Music unlike pictures can expose characters’ feelings, actions and induce intentional tension to the viewer in scary scenes. Film directors spend their time in selecting the soundtrack that bests suits the film carefully with the knowledge of the impact the music would have on the film. By listening to the soundtrack, it is possible to make a judgment on the type of the film as music speaks loudly about the age and setting of the movie.
The spectacular ‘The Ten Commandments’ film is an iconic film that still holds on to its thrilling relevance even today. Released on August 5, 1956, it has received incredible airplay even in the recent days where the world and the film industry have made remarkable developments in filming. Viewed the world over, this was the work of a legendary director, Cecil B.DeMille whose works in the film industry remain to standout as a benchmarking tool for other filmmakers. By the time of this film’s production, the knowledge of the significance of music in films had started to build up in the industry. However, before the 1930s, all the movies created then were totally silent. The inclusion of music in the film scenes was influenced by a number of reasons. On the other hand, the major reason for its inclusion was to depict the mood of different scenes.
In the film, ‘The Ten Commandments’, the main character Charlton Heston composed the music used as the film’s sound track. This film was made in two distinct versions, the original one that did not have a sound track and the later version that had it. The song composed for this film is undoubtedly capturing the dynamics involved in all the directions taken in all the scenes. The music in this film profoundly expresses the major elements of this film, which are scripture, history and drama. Background music in this film largely expresses the mood of the particular scene. In the film, there are many instances of sad moods; for instance, when the first-born kids where killed in every Egyptian homestead.
It would have been rather very difficult to bring out the sense of pain and anguish experienced by the victims’ relatives were it not for the sad sound track played in the background. The song played in this scene quite effectively the mood of sorrow and sadness in addition to the pictures portraying the same. In the film, a wide rage of emotions is involved and the music has been extensively used to bring out the effects of these emotions. In the scene where Moses went up the mountain to talk to God, the use of noisy sounds to show the presence of God is effectively used. Imagining that very same scene without sound effects, one wonders how irritating the experience would be.
In this movie, one’s emotions are guided largely by the music played as it sets the mood of the scene. The music in the scene where Moses separates the water and the land for the children of Israel to cross across the red sea is intimidating. The song in this scene is played to set a mood of fear and trembling as to marvel at the greatness of God. After crossing the Red sea and witnessing the destruction of their enemy who had enslaved them for 40 years, the Israelites were filled with joy. Music again here is used to transit the mood of the film from a celebrative mood to a worshiping and thanksgiving session characterized by offering sacrifices.
Picking songs for a film however, is not an easy task to carryout, as it requires a careful research on the theme of the movie and message behind its story. Amalgamating these two major aspects together is what makes a good movie good and vice versa. The course under which the two are arranged in a manner to that they create harmony is crucial to the quality of that particular film. This is why most of the producers choose to compose new songs for the purpose of their movie, as it was the case with ‘The Ten Commandments’ film. The director of this film, Cecil B. DeMille made a careful choice on the song composer and had already chosen the message and the theme he preferred the song to go with.
Besides, he had a team of researchers whom he depended on in his research work to establish a theme for the song, which as I stated earlier had to be based on scripture, history and drama. This method has been copied to date as directors find it very convenient to have their theme songs done specifically for their films. This shows how critical and imperative a song in a film is to the audience and the image of the film. Composition of new songs for the soundtrack of a movie is very beneficial as it gives the director an opportunity to influence the thematic symphony of the song. This is so because of the simple reason that finding an already recorded piece of music that readily suits the director’s needs is almost impossible.
Having the song done originally for the film in particular is very convenient to both the cast and the technical team. This is a convenient and perfect way to be assured of maintaining the spirit of the movie in all of its aspects of presentation. A customized song for the movie can be added special features in agreement with the theme of the film to enhance its effectiveness in relaying the massage to the viewer. Music in reality is undisputedly a very effective means of communication. This attribute of music has seen it attract the attention of the filming industry to become an equal partner in the creation of films.
The role of music therefore in the film industry is to create a sensational attachment between the audience and the movie itself to prompt people to want to see it and make them keep watching throughout the entire showing time. Cecil B. DeMille knew this in his film ‘The Ten Commandments’ and all through the film there is no point at which the music enchantment in capturing the audience’s attention is not applied. He has used this form of style to keep his audience thrilled by every unfolding scene in this film. His success in using music skillfully has brought a revolution in the film industry and has introduced many other aspects of entertainment including dancing.
The use of music in films conceptualized in the late 1930s was one-step towards the more sophisticated dynamics that the industry has experienced. This was like a wake up call from the slumber of the old conservative concepts of film production whose only sound heard was the noisy projector rolling out the motion pictures. Introduction of music on the films has additionally added to the films more glamour that was totally absent but needed. Watching a film before the 1930s was boring and not fun but not anymore, owing to the inclusion of music in this field. The quality of music used in a film and its relevance to the movie give the film a rating from the sound of its soundtrack.
Use the order calculator below and get started! Contact our live support team for any assistance or inquiry.
[order_calculator]