A Brief History of Film Scoring

Summary

This video traces the evolution of film music from its origins in silent cinema to modern-day scores. It covers the use of live music in early films, the rise of compiled scores, and the advent of synchronized sound with landmark films like 'The Jazz Singer'. The development of original compositions, such as Max Steiner's score for 'King Kong', and later innovations in electronic music, jazz, and synthesizers are explored. The video also highlights the influence of technological advancements on film scoring and how composers today blend diverse musical styles and techniques to create immersive soundtracks.

Takeaways

• 😀 Music has been a fundamental part of the movie-going experience since the very first public film screenings in 1895, when live music accompanied silent films.
• 🎹 Early film music was often performed live by musicians such as pianists or organists, who either improvised or played popular tunes of the time.
• 🎬 Silent films, which lacked recorded sound, used live music to create emotional atmosphere, mask technical noises, and immerse audiences in the narrative.
• 📜 By the 1910s, the use of compiled scores or 'photo-play music' became common, with pre-written pieces categorized by moods and emotions to accompany different film scenes.
• 🎼 The first all-original film score was composed by Camille Saint-Saëns for the 1908 film *La Saisine du Duc de Guise*, paving the way for original compositions in film.
• 🎥 The 1927 release of *The Jazz Singer* marked the beginning of the 'talkie' era, with synchronized sound and music revolutionizing the film industry.
• 🎶 The Golden Age of film music in the 1930s and 1940s saw the rise of iconic film composers like Max Steiner, who introduced recurring musical motifs to represent characters or ideas.
• 🎧 The post-WWII era saw the introduction of experimental film music, with composers like Bernard Hermann and Alex North blending genres like jazz, rock, and classical influences.
• 🎹 The 1950s and 1960s brought the integration of electronic music into films, with pioneering scores like *Forbidden Planet* (1956) leading the way in electronic film composition.
• 🎸 The 1970s and 1980s saw a surge in the use of synthesizers and electronic music, with composers like Giorgio Moroder and John Carpenter creating iconic synth-driven scores.
• 🌍 Modern film scores are increasingly diverse, incorporating a mix of orchestral, electronic, rock, world music, and even global influences, with composers like Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman at the forefront of the trend.

Q & A

Why was music critical in early motion pictures?

Music was used in early films to enhance the viewing experience, cover projector noises, and engage audiences, especially since silent films had no recorded sound.

What role did the pianist play in the early film screenings?

The pianist was hired to play live music to accompany the silent films, providing emotional cues and enhancing the storytelling.

What was photo play music and how did it impact film music?

Photo play music involved pre-written short pieces categorized by mood, which theaters would use to accompany films. This system helped bring order to the chaotic music practices of early cinema.

How did the use of compiled scores change over time in silent films?

As the popularity of films grew, theaters started using compiled scores, drawing from pre-existing music categorized by emotional themes, to provide a more consistent and immersive experience.

What significance did 'Birth of a Nation' have in film music history?

'Birth of a Nation' was groundbreaking for its use of a massive three-hour orchestral score, which combined original music with classical pieces, marking a major leap in film scoring.

How did 'Don Juan' influence the future of synchronized sound in film?

'Don Juan' used vitaphone technology, synchronizing sound to the film, marking an early example of synchronized music and sound effects, paving the way for the end of silent films.

What is the significance of 'The Jazz Singer' in film music history?

'The Jazz Singer' was the first major film to combine synchronized sound, music, and dialogue, initiating the era of the 'talkies' and shifting how music would be integrated into film.

What innovations did Max Steiner bring to film scoring in 'King Kong'?

Max Steiner's score for 'King Kong' introduced recurring musical motifs tied to characters and ideas, using music to deepen the emotional connection between the audience and the narrative.

How did the role of jazz evolve in film scores from the 1950s to the 1970s?

Jazz transitioned from representing urban 'loose morals' to being used more expressively in film scores, with black composers like Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn breaking barriers in Hollywood.

What technological advances in the 1950s impacted film music?

The use of electronic music in scores, starting with 'Forbidden Planet,' introduced a new realm of sound creation, influencing future sci-fi films and causing tension within the music industry over job security.

How did synth-driven scores change film music in the 1970s and 80s?

Synth-driven scores, such as those in 'The Terminator' and 'Blade Runner,' allowed composers to create more complex and experimental sounds with fewer musicians, which transformed the landscape of film scoring.

How has film scoring evolved in the 21st century with new technologies?

New technologies have enabled composers to create diverse and unique scores, with electronic music and global influences like Indian rhythms blending with traditional orchestral elements, allowing greater flexibility and personalization in film music.