The Importance of Scores and Soundtracks
The newest member of our CH family Elliott is a big drum and bass music fan. But he also loves a good film score so let’s get his lowdown on the importance of scores and soundtracks!
Setting the Tone
Music plays a crucial role in video content, from grand cinematic scores to ambience on the silver screen that you’re almost not meant to notice. The effect of soundtracks and musical choices is massive.
The right piece of music can hugely elevate the mood of a scene, build intensity, enhance emotion and add context to plot points and relationships between characters.
A great swell of orchestral strings may push the tension its absolute peak, whilst a haunting piano may well bring you to tears in a way that even the most poetic dialogue alone can’t do.
Montages set to music can be a cliche in film and TV, but they can also be iconic. A good reason for their prolific use is to create compelling storytelling without use of heavy narrative exposition, even without any dialogue at all.
Completing a Video
Sometimes the biggest benefit of a score is simply tying the piece together into a ‘whole’. As an example, if you watched a classic or well-loved scene without the music, you’ll notice how much empty space there is.
Often, conversations in film and TV shows don’t feel realistic but a non-diegetic track (basically any sound that doesn't originate from the world of the film) can help the audience gloss over a weird line or overly dramatic monologue that might otherwise break the immersion.
Building Hype and Engaging Wider Audiences
To draw in audiences, a memorable song in a film trailer or a great track underscoring an impactful final scene can be fantastic.
Iconic songs can also pull a wider viewership too. They do wonders for trailers whilst great writing paired precisely with music can turn an unknown original soundtrack into an iconic piece that transcends the visual medium that it was originally birthed for.
Netflix’s Stranger Things is a perfect example of both of these. Utilising iconic 1980’s tracks, giving them a new context whilst using their power as nostalgia-bait for the older audiences across pop culture. Metallica’s ‘Master of Puppets’ in Season 4’s final episode managed to reconnect with Stranger Things’ older audience, and forge a new relationship with younger fans, shooting up Spotify’s viral charts and re-entering mainstream radio for a few weeks.
Despite the success of these music choices, in relation to emotional impact in the show and viral marketing, the show has also made heavy use of its own OST. The main theme ‘Stranger Things’ and the enduring ‘Kids’ have become recognisable in pop-culture by drawing on the synth-laden sound of the 80’s while bringing in the darkness of the show’s themes to engage a modern audience.
Open Your Ears
Soundtracks can be overlooked but they’re such a vital part of the storytelling process. Just ask our clients! Good music can elevate a narrative, build emotional complexity and provide that extra punch to kick off an event or grab attention!
Next time you sit down to experience a film or binge a new series, listen out for the musical motifs weaved into it. You might just a find a new appreciation for OSTs.
Why not have a natter about your favourite tunes with us? hello@ch-video.com
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