When a film is hugely successful, i.e. a ‘blockbuster’, it is just as likely that the film’s soundtrack will also be equally popular. This is no coincidence and we can cite some legendary examples of this. For example, everyone recalls the songs of the Sound of Music just as easily as they recall the movie. Filmmaking and soundtracks are inseparable. It can be said that soundtracks define a film’s genre.
Composers have attempted to capture the feel of a movie in numerous ways, which have left an indelible imprint of the minds of audiences. Some examples of these are:
- The opening theme of Jaws, which is a spare three note melody, is vividly remembered. The melody is intended to be a representation of the relentless and brutal attack of a shark. Each time a listener hears this melody, they are reminded of the terrifying image of the Jaws shark. It can even be said that the theme is more famous than the movie!
- Comedic sound effects, including the exaggerated sound of a punch or a person falling are now mainstays in filmmaking. Credit can be provided to Charlie Chaplin movies for popularizing these effects, and viewers still associate these sound effects with the image of Charlie Chaplin’s tramp character.
- The soundtrack for Psycho, including the infamous shower scene, made liberal use of traditional instrumentation such as violins. The use of this instrument in a horror setting was a landmark in filmmaking and still continues to give viewers goosebumps today.
- Science fiction filmmakers are faced with unique challenges, as they have to create a completely new set of sound effects while still retaining some familiarity with regular audiences. Several movies in this genre have been landmarks, including the Star Wars franchise and Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey.
- Soundtracks to mythological and epic movies are also widely remembered. For example, the soundtrack to Ben Hur was composed with no less than an orchestra of 100 musicians. To this day, the image of Rome continues to be associated with the gallant instrumentation of Ben Hur in the minds of moviegoers.
- Finally, the iconic James Bond signature theme song Is as much a part of the image of James Bond as his dashing attire and catchphrases. It can be said that the James Bond soundtracks define a film’s genre by providing the perfect backdrop to the character of James Bond.
With the emergence of the internet, filmmakers are also blessed with a huge repository of copyright free music and royalty free music. Such music is either freely created by musicians and placed in the public domain for universal use or alternatively, the copyright on such music has expired. Filmmakers can use copyright free music and royalty free music to add a rich canvas of songs and sounds to their films. This rich variety of music is available at no cost and particularly important for genres such as independent filmmaking which need to make sure productions are cost efficient.
Resources such as Beatoven music are useful for filmmakers. Beatoven music provides access to a wide array of copyright free music and royalty free music which are indispensable to modern day filmmakers. With Beatoven music, it is easy to search, access and use copyright free music and royalty free music without going through the hassle of searching for the same on unreliable public domain sites.
Since soundtracks define film’s genre, it is advisable for all filmmakers to sign up for Beatoven music to have the widest access possible to the public domain resources that will help them with composition.
