Matching music to action – using a storyboard
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Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how film composers work and can create different versions of a melody to suit contrasting moods.
Key learning points
- Writing film music requires composers to precisely match their music to the timings of action.
- They use storyboards to represent the action of a scene and cues to help fit their music to exact moments in a scene.
- They create the music to match each mood, by developing musical ideas in different ways.
- Developing an ostinato to create different moods.
Keywords
Ostinato - a repeating pattern that forms the basis of a piece of music
Development - the process of adapting an existing motif or musical idea, helping to create a balance of unity and variety in a composition
Common misconception
All film music has to be precise to the second to fit the action perfectly.
Some film scenes do have to be exact where the music mirrors precisely what is happening on screen, but much film music is about creating the correct atmosphere and feel and this can be just as important when composing programmatic music.
Teacher tip
Pupils might only have time to create one contrasting mood. In this case, direct them to focus on the calm, peaceful mood. As an extension task, pupils could add another column to the story timeline, inventing a plot twist at the end. They could then develop their idea to suit this new mood.
Equipment
DAW, notation software, keyboard or other suitable instrument as a composition tool
Licence
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