Write-Up #7 Assignment
Taxi Driver (1976) Martin Scorsese
HUM 110: Introduction to American Film
JC Clapp, North Seattle College
Focus/Topic of Write-Up: Music/Score
Music (and conversely, silence) is used to evoke emotional responses in the audience. Scores
(or soundtracks) are carefully designed to enhance and complement what’s on screen. This is
especially true for particular genres, such as horror or thriller films. Notice how the music often
works in tandem with the cinematography to propel the scene forward.
Your Task (What your Write-Up should include):
Read the Slate article by Dana Stevens (March 25, 2011) titled “Listening to Taxi Driver: Bernard
Hermann’s last great score” – and listen to the audio tracks in it -http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/movies/2011/03/listening_to_taxi_driver.html Consider how the
music influences what’s on screen in Taxi Driver. Choose three scenes where the score has a
dramatic effect on the audience’s perception of what’s happening on screen. For each scene
you’ve chosen, explain in detail how Bernard Hermann’s music influences and enhances the
scene. Tie the score to the cinematography, and give us timestamps.
What your Write-Up should not include:
 a review (don’t tell us whether or not you liked the film or music– at all)
 a biography of the director or actors or a synopsis of what the director/actors say in the
“Director’s Cut” of the film
 the use of any research outside of the article by Stevens
 a plot summary (don’t tell us what happens in the film)
Grading Criteria (20 points): I will be looking for these elements when grading your Write-Up:
 An analysis of the music in three scenes of the film
 A minimum of 500 words (about 2+ pages)
 A heading that includes the name of the film, the year, and the name of the director
 Assignment typed in 12 pt. font, double spaced, and has 1 inch margins
 No response, critique, review, evaluation, or reaction
 No ideas or word used from any other source
 Grammatically correct and proofread – if there are extensive problems in this category,
the paper as a whole will not earn more than 13 points.