In what ways have movie soundtracks
changed over time?
0 Before recording sound in films was possible, films relied on in0
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house pianist or entire orchestras who were given a cue sheet.
The Jazz Singer (1927) was the first feature-length film that used
the sound-on-disc system
Sound-on-disc was a system used to record and playback sound
in sync with a film
Easy Rider (1969) was the first film that used already existent
music
From then, using existent music in film soundtracks grew in
popularity
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_score, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0018037,
http://www.scaruffi.com/history/film.html,
http://www.americancomposers.org/hollywood_chihara_article.htm
List the movie music you like most as a
child
0 Mr Bean goes to America
0 Chicken Run
0 Harry Potter
0 The Parent Trap
0 Toy Story
0 Underdog
0 Shrek
0 Home Alone
0 Monsters Inc.
0 Holes
0 Donnie Darko
0 Spy Kids
What did you like about the music?
0 When I was younger, I preferred the soundtrack of cartoons.
Cartoon soundtracks that created a typically light hearted
atmosphere and was meaningful my younger ears
0 I liked the Disney films where the soundtrack wasn’t comprised of
pre-made music and songs, but beautifully composed orchestral
music that would send tingles down the spines of the Audience.
Like the 1989 The Little Mermaid composed by Alan Menken and
Howard Ashman who wrote the lyrics
0 Looney Tunes cartoons also used soundtracks without words in
them. The sound effects that were used created a comical feeling
to the cartoon and added ‘silly’ humor to the cartoons.
What did you like about the music?
0 Live action films that used music that added suspense to the film.
However it wasn’t it I was older that live action film soundtracks
became more appealing. The British spy parody Johnny English
composed by Edward Shearmur is the earliest film I remember
that used suspenseful soundtracks
0 Cartoon film soundtracks were always easier to listen too and
made better background music as opposed to Live action films
which were more typically in your face style soundtracks.
What movie music do you currently like?
Describe what it is you like about this music
0 I like soundtracks that act as an extra character in a film. For
example in the classic Middlesex High scene in 2001 film Donnie
Darko where Tears for Fears Head-over-heels is played. Despite
the scene having no dialogue, the soundtrack tells the tale of
Donnie Darko.
0 I still enjoy big symphony/orchestral music, which was made
popular through its use in the Harry Potter films. The soundtrack
complemented the big anatomic shots of Hogwarts and
surrounds.
What movie music do you currently like?
Describe what it is you like about this music
(cont)
0 A recent film, The Kings Speech, used very little music-based
scores but more symphony’s and piano solos, which
complemented the genre.
0 Love Actually composed by Craig Armstrong - was another film I
enjoyed because of the wide range of songs that made up the
soundtrack. However the songs were based around the theme of
love, the variation of the music from classics to modern day
pieces complemented the ever changing storyline. For example
‘Rose’ by James Horner which was used in the 1997 film Titanic
and modern style songs like ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ by
Mariah Carey.
Has your taste changed over time? Why or
why not?
0 My taste has changed as I have become more media savvy and
are able to listen to soundtracks in a more meaningful way than
just as background music.
0 As I have been exposed to a wider range of genres of films, my
taste has also changed. From sound effects used in cartoons to
more drama and comedy films.
0 Really my taste in soundtracks changes depending on the genre
of the film. I wouldn’t rock music in a historical film, nor deep and
meaningful music used in say comedy film
What might you like in the future? Do some
crystal ball gazing.
0 My tastes will probably shift towards film that use simple and
classic music, as opposed to scores packed with pre-made songs
0 Also older style films that use very simple orchestral soundtracks
will more suit my changing tastes
0 Non-American movies and their soundtracks