The function of film music is a lot more complex than just a song playing in the background of a film, it is a very important part of a film which is very diverse.
For example, there are many different areas that film music can represent as well as being accompanying music for a film. It can represent many different functions including;
- Create an atmosphere - This is created by how the score enters a scene, by means of how its depicted by the audience first time it is heard can set the tone for the film. But strong use of this function could create plot twists.
- Portray emotions - This is another strong function that when combined with what the actors' emotions are on screen, can then trigger the emotions of the audience.
- Time/Period Reference - This function is good to help when a film is set in a different era, say the medieval period, when the right instruments are used it helps out the audience recognize the film's setting. Or whether it is a flash back in a film to the 50's, the sound of rock n' roll with almost trigger the audience instantly in recognizing the era.
- Manipulation - Often when there is a character in a film, portrayed as a good guy, the music in the film doesn't make the audience think otherwise, until that character may change in the end which is this represented by the music for the character suddenly changing.
- Parody - This function can interact with the audience for them to decide whether or not a certain scene is meant to be serious or not, for example someone who may pretended to be a superhero, the accompanying music may be an almost cartoon sounding trumpet, therefore depicting the scene as not a serious one.
- Physically unite the audience -When scenes such as a heroic moment, when characters may proceed through a large crowd of people to address the public in a heroic and memorable moment, or even such as a superhero who has defeated his enemy and is celebrating in a victory parade.
- Depict movement - This function comes through old cartoons where strings plucked may indicated movement or a xylophone ping when an eyebrow is raised. These functions are common in slapstick situations but also work well in dramatic moments.
- Depict social/cultural or geographic references - This is when a certain type of music is played, the audience can automatically detect where the scene is set, without necessarily having to focus to much on the visual aspect. Sounds from a fiddle could indicate an Irish scene, while bagpipes could indicate a Scottish scene.
- Commentary - This function is not as commonly used now as it was decades ago, it can depict the mood of a certain scene or depict the mood of dialogue. This function is seen as not necessary, but when used in crystal clear way can influence an audiences decision.
Temp Track
A temp track is what a composer will reference, so they can get an idea of the film score they're trying to create. A temp track is basically an existing piece of music that can serve as a guideline for a certain style that a director or producer is looking for in a film/video. Temp tracks can come from a variety of sources, from production libraries, film soundtracks to mainstream albums or from the composers own back catalogue. It is only used during pre-production and its purpose is to ensure that those who require the score and those who are creating it are on the same page.
A famous example of when a temp track ended up being used as the film music is from Stanley Kubrick's film, 2001: A Space Odyssey. Originally the composer Alex North had written a score, but Kubrick decided to use the temp track which was classical pieces from composer György Ligeti.
