Sound For Moving ImageScoring for Moving Image

In this session we shall…

Look at Musical Elements used in scoring for Moving Image

Learn the difference between Diegetic and Non-Diegetic music

Begin to write cinematic sounding scores.

Musical elements

Melody

Dynamics

Harmony

Tempo

Texture

Structure

Rhythm

Order of ImportanceList these musical elements in order of importance from most to least important:

Melody

Dynamics

Harmony

Tempo

Texture

Structure

Rhythm

Rhythm and Dynamics

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxLYlXt_Nvo

Rhythm and Dynamics

Brian Tyler uses Drums as the focus for his score for Fast and the Furious 5.

He is able to do this as film music is becoming more and more focused around Rhythm and Dynamics.

Diegetic and Non-Diegetic Sounds

Diegetic sound

Sound who's source is visible on the screen or whose source is implied to be present by the action of the film.

Non-Diegetic Sound

Sound who’s source is neither visible on the screen nor has been implied in the present action.

Scoring with FX

When scoring for films the contain FX you must leave space for the Sound Designer to include effects and Diegetic sound.

Usually this could be achieve by scoring the music to the film and using a side chain compressor to leave space for the dialogue or FX to come through where needed.

Task

Open Cubase or Sibelius (or a program you are familiar with)

Begin to score parts for a short film sequence (1min 30 seconds)

Focus only on one group of instruments, e.g: strings

Focus on Rhythm and Dynamics to create suspense.