The Function of Music in Cinema
Sounds typically fall into one of three categories when in cinema they are voices, music, and sound effects. All of these are very important; however, some people say that music makes the movie. There may become merit to this, after all, music does help make films really enjoyable. Some movies, like jaws, were made famous in large part due to their musical scores.
Music is a key factor in cinema. Even silent films have music. The function of music varies quite widely depending on the intent, film type, and even personal preferences of the film’s creators. But it is essential that the music is kept in mind during directing and producing the film. The role of music in most movies serves to pass information of some sort, like emotions felt by the character(s), geographical location, atmosphere, time periods, and even the psychological state of the characters. Suffice it to say music plays a very important role in movies.
Music is so important, in fact, that some movie directors make use of music supervisors. This role is more than just selecting the right songs to play during the movie. It is also understanding how and in what way the director wants to use the music. Does it need to be utilized in a creative manner or short bursts to highlight a moment? What is the budget? To top it all off there are copyright issues and that can get pretty dicey. Still, this is an important job, despite the hardships, because music can greatly impact the entire meaning and perception of the film. It really makes one appreciate all the work that goes into cinema. All in all, music greatly enhances the cinematic experience by providing us with useful, and sometimes subtle, information.