film music
Quick Summary
Film music, also known as a film score, is the music composed or used in a film. It plays a crucial role in enhancing the emotional impact and narrative of a movie.123
Types of Film Music
- Underscoring: This is background music, often orchestral, that is motivated by dramatic considerations within the film.1
- Source Music: This is music that is heard by the characters within the film's narrative, such as a song playing on a radio.1
Composition and Use
Music is typically added during postproduction, after filming is complete. Composers decide where music should begin and end in a film, a process called spotting. The music is then recorded, often with individual instruments or sections miked separately to allow for later mixing and adjustment. Film music can be original compositions or borrowed from existing classical works. It can be used to heighten emotions, create atmosphere, or even symbolically represent characters or themes.132
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