Lecture 2: Evaluating a Score Flashcards
1
Q
Diegesis
A
- the world of the narrative
- all characters and events that are depicted, suggested, or described
2
Q
Diegetic music
A
- source music, direct music, foreground music
- heard both by the characters in the film and the audience
- functions = establishing time and place, sense of realistic immediacy, ironic comment
3
Q
Nondiegetic music
A
- score, underscore, background music
- heard by the film audience only
- score = instrumental, meant to accompany the plot
- soundtrack = pop songs used in the film
4
Q
Types of scores
A
- original = composed for the specific film
- adapted = includes pre-existing music adapted for the film
- compiled = made up of all pre-existing music
5
Q
Style
A
- what type of music
- what type of instruments
- how do the choice relate to the film
6
Q
Restoration - Analysis
A
- 1995
- James Newton Howard
- set in the mid 1600s
- score is part original, part adapted (based on Henry Purcell)
- period instruments = harpsichord
- terraced dynamics (from the Baroque era)
7
Q
Local Hero - Analysis
A
- 1983
- Mark Knopfler
- urban American in small Scottish village
- blend of folk and popular styles
- emphasis on guitar
- melodies similar to Anglo Celtic folk music
8
Q
The Godfather - Movie Summary
A
- 1972
- Nino Rota
- follows the life of an organized crime family
- about the transition of power from an older generation to a younger
- ultimately, he is alone and there are few that he can trust
9
Q
The Godfather - Analysis
A
- first theme = solo trumpet (sacrifice, loyalty, isolation)
- second theme = waltz (wedding, family)
- much of music is based on folk music of Sicily
10
Q
Playing the drama
A
- music attempts to reinforce primarily emotional elements in the narrative
11
Q
Hitting the action
A
- music accents visual events
- common approach to cartoon scoring
12
Q
Mickey Mousing
A
- when a composer is constantly capturing physical elements, to the point where it is distracting
13
Q
Melody/theme
A
- most recognizable musical element
- single set of notes, and how they unfold overtime
- easy to hum = more sympathetic
- hard to hum = more threatening/negative
14
Q
Letimotif
A
- developed by Richard Wagner (1800s)
- themes that undergo modification as the story progresses
15
Q
Tempo/pulse
A
- how the speed of the music influences the tempo of the narrative
