Film Music Scores - Past to Present

            The scoring of a film has always been a cornerstone to the success of the film, no matter how primitive or extravagant the music may be. The history of the film score indicates the work and industry growth and how much that growth has changed the movie going experience. Some of the great classics from the dawn of music in film still stand in our minds today for the innate thought and tremendous talents of musician, going from a simple four part vaudevillian band to a full fledged orchestra with a conductor. Prime examples of major works and how they affect the audience is just one way of showing the depth of music in film. Although we are living in a time of "been there, done that"," it is important to see where we came from and see the development of our most lucrative industry and beloved past time: The movies. .
             The history of motion pictures began in the late 1880's, with the invention of the first movie camera. These "moving pictures" were initially exhibited as a type of carnival novelty with no sound and run-times under 30 minutes. When mass audiences in theaters saw the first moving pictures, they were known as silent films, although they were not actually silent. They contained a very primitive type of musical accompaniment that laid the foundation for what was to later develop. As time passed the type of music found in films developed into a fine art, containing specific guidelines and techniques that most composers tend to follow. The average movie patron does not usually pay astute attention to the music that is being used in a film, however, if it were not there, the films would seem empty with a lack of emotion; as if something was missing. The actors, the writing, and the direction is what is primarily noticed in a film but the music is the vital supporter of all of these elements. .
             To create a film that will be effective it is essential that the film have a thoughtful score, and, as the audience, it is our duty to acknowledge the music in order to fully understand all that is being displayed to us in the film.