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Welcome to the Score to Picture Network!
'So, what is film music?'
Film music (also known as 'underscore', 'incidental music' and 'non-diegetic music') is a very specific type of composition, in that the composer is taking a visual into consideration and composing music to support that visual. The music takes a back seat and the scene is consumed by the movie-goer as a whole. The sign of a good score is that it doesn't get noticed (famous themes notwithstanding).
Film music (also known as 'underscore', 'incidental music' and 'non-diegetic music') is a very specific type of composition, in that the composer is taking a visual into consideration and composing music to support that visual. The music takes a back seat and the scene is consumed by the movie-goer as a whole. The sign of a good score is that it doesn't get noticed (famous themes notwithstanding).
'Is that when you hear pop-songs in films?'
No, that's known as 'source music', 'diegetic music' and/or 'sync'. The easiest way to think of source/diegetic music is that the characters in a movie or TV show can hear the music ie, in a club, on a radio, at a concert etc. Popular music licensed for sync may or may not be heard by the characters, but is generally not considered underscore.
No, that's known as 'source music', 'diegetic music' and/or 'sync'. The easiest way to think of source/diegetic music is that the characters in a movie or TV show can hear the music ie, in a club, on a radio, at a concert etc. Popular music licensed for sync may or may not be heard by the characters, but is generally not considered underscore.
'Can't I just compose a piece of music in a certain style/genre and use that?'
Absolutely, and that's often how a lot of composers start out. But as you become more experienced and the budgets get bigger, directors and producers are going to want you to meet certain 'sync points', which means the music does something (or may become absent) at the same time as a visual cue to emphasise a point. The point of a film score is to play with the audience's emotions without them being aware of it.
Absolutely, and that's often how a lot of composers start out. But as you become more experienced and the budgets get bigger, directors and producers are going to want you to meet certain 'sync points', which means the music does something (or may become absent) at the same time as a visual cue to emphasise a point. The point of a film score is to play with the audience's emotions without them being aware of it.
We have become so used to music as part of our visual media that it is strangely obvious when it is absent (Alfred Hitchcock's 'The Birds' is a great example)and yet we don't notice it when it is there. Scoring a movie is a big undertaking, but so rewarding when the project is complete and the music successfully compliments the visual.
So if composing for film and visual media is something you'd really like to learn how to do, or you need some extra support and guidance on your compositional journey, send us an email!
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