Can you imagine your favourite film without thinking of the theme tune?
I for one can’t even mention ‘Harry Potter’ without thinking of the phenomenal music that accompanies the series. But why is it that we’re instantly able to identify films by their music?
It’s always inspiring to explore different areas of the creative world and see how they work together to create something spectacular. I’ve focused a few blogs on the power that images can have on attracting customers or boosting engagement online (we are a stock photo agency afterall!).Ìý But of course there are loads of other visual arts out there waiting to be explored.
So, as May the 4th awakens the inner Jedi in us all, and ourÌýÌýcontinues at 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß throughout May, I’m taking this blog in a different direction…
We’re exploring the relationship between music and film, looking specifically at one of the biggest creative influencers of all time; John Towner Williams. He is responsible for some of the most iconic theme tunes in history, includingÌýeight Star Wars themes! He announced earlier this year thatÌýÌýwill be the last ‘Star Wars’ film he scores. So it seems only right that May 4thÌý2018 be dedicated to the legendary composer whose creativity has so heavily impacted popular culture.
Celebrate his distinguished career with some of his most Ìý
To kick things off, we’re exploring the reasons behind why music and film work so well together.
The power-combo of two creative art forms: music and film
I don’t know about you, but all it takes is the opening line of ‘Jaws’ to play and I’m on edge expecting an imminent shark attack!
Music is one of the most powerful additions to any film for one reason in particular; it evokes emotion. It builds tension, enhances fear, portrays happiness and depicts overwhelming sadness. Of course, the film plot plays a part in generating the emotions you feel, but music complements the scene, helping communicate the right emotion to your brain.
Although music is often compared to language, there is a key difference in the way our brains process music. Music isÌý in the structures of the brain that are involved in motivation, reward and emotion. So, when we listen to music, our brains automatically start to link it to memories.
Because of this, a simple song or music score can evoke a memory, transport us to a moment in time or enable us to build a new set of emotional experiences.Ìý Music is capable of communicating emotion to us, with tempo, pitch and key all impacting the emotion that’s being transmitted. Once again, our brains get ticking and can read the music and convert it into a physical emotion or feeling.
It is music that leaves you feeling elated for that fictional character when they get some good news. And it’s music that brings you to the point of tears when you’re watching a sad scene.
Exploring the music in Star Wars and its impact on us as viewers
To demonstrate the impact that music has on how we feel about certain characters or scenes, we’ve looked at two of the most iconic scenes from Star Wars. Both scenes have one key thing in common: John Williams’ music plays a central part in communicating emotion to the viewer…
“I am your father” sceneÌý(Episode V):Ìý‘‘ from ‘The Imperial March’Ìý
Even if you’ve never seen Star Wars, you’re probably familiar with the endlessly quoted ‘I am your father’ scene. This is one of the most powerful and cleverly scored scenes, where Williams’ Imperial March is used subtly for most of the scene. It’s unusual for music to play throughout a scene, but in this instance, it’s cunningly used to guide the viewer through a mix of emotions. From fear and worry to sheer shock, Williams uses the Imperial March to tell the viewer how to react.
As Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader embark on a duel, the focus of the scene is on the swiping and clashing of lightsabers. The music plays quietly in the background until, to the audience’s shock, Darth Vader swipes at Luke’s right arm. It’s clear the battle is getting serious as Luke’s scream of pain is accompanied by an intensifying blast from the brass section, generating a shudder of fear.
As Luke scrambles to his feet, the dark, daunting tones of John Williams’ masterpiece kick in, building suspense as we head towards the revelation. And then, the bombshell itself is dropped, and the music switches from the background to the forefront of the scene. A line from the Imperial March plays like a melancholy fanfare to portray the contrast of Luke’s shock and sadness with Darth Vader’s sinister-laced triumph.
The music alone is good, the scene alone is dramatic, but the two combined? Well, watch the scene for yourself and see!
Opening scene of ‘A New Hope’ (Episode IV): Imperial Attack
As the iconic main title theme draws to a close (01:50 in the video below), the screen draws to black and the music diminishes into a soft whistling-style melody. As we gaze at the stars, the camera begins to slowly tilt downwards, revealing the blue glow of a planet.
Here enters the renowned Williams’ orchestra as the tempo picks up and the music crescendos, building anticipation of what is about to be revealed. As a ship begins to emerge at the top of the shot, the orchestra reaches its peak with a climatic clash of notes accompanied by the mighty pounding of timpani drums.
We’re less than 30 seconds into the opening scene and the growing intensity of the music has brought the audience to the edge of their seats. And for good reason. It is now, preceded by the sound of laser fire, that the viewer is given their first ever glimpse of the legendary Imperial Star Destroyer. It speeds onto the screen as the laser fire continues, and the short staccato notes in the background set the tone for battle as it’s clear the Destroyer is on the hunt…
Just how far have the creative talents of John Williams spread?
I can honestly say that I believe nobody who hears the will not be able to identify what film it’s from. It’s world-renowned, much like its creator John Williams.
Without the talents of film composer John Williams, popular perception of iconic films like ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Indiana Jones’ would be totally different. Can you imagine a Cowboys and Indians chase without emphatic music? Absolutely not. The visuals of a film alone are often not enough to keep the viewer engaged. But take a gripping script, a cast of talented actors and some believable visual effects, and tie it all together with a cleverly written music score, et voilà . A recipe for success.
John Williams lifted the bar for film music and here are just some of the milestone achievements from his career:
- He was the first film composer to use a symphony orchestra to perform his composition bringing classical and orchestral music to centre stage
- His talent was recognised by Steven Spielberg in the early 1970s.Ìý He asked John to compose the score for a feature film called ‘The Sugarland Express’ in 1974
- His partnership with Spielberg opened up a lifelong career not only of , but of creating music that would penetrate popular culture in a way no composer had managed before
- Williams has scored more than 100 films, including eight ‘Star Wars’ movies and the first three ‘Harry Potter’ films. Discover some of his most iconic films here >
“Without John Williams,Ìýbikes don’t flyÌýand neither doÌýbrooms in Quidditch matchesÌýnor doÌýmen in red capes. There is noÌýForce,ÌýdinosaursÌýdo not walk the earth. We do not wonder, we do not weep, we do not believe.”
–Ìý
