Is writing film music creative? Can it stand toe to toe with art music?
I've been asking myself this for quite some time now.
Are composers "pushing boundaries" or just cashing pay checks?
Film Music & Creativity
Posted 22 November 2010
Doesn't that depend entirely on which film score and 'absolute' score we're comparing? Not to mention the subjectivity of those making the comparison? I'm sure we can find hacks looking for fame and fortune in 'art' music, too. Personally, I'd rather spend more time listening to good music and less time worrying about what medium it was originally written for. 
________________________________
Shadowater Studios
Shadowater Studios
Posted 19 April 2011
"Is writing film music creative? Can it stand toe to toe with art music?"
I love the reference to fight sports.
Of course it's *creative*. You are asked as a professional to solve the problem of how music should work to picture in a narrative context. You must come to creative solutions.
Is it *original*? Well, what is these days? I would say that for the most part, you are not being asked to act as an artist. Writing film music is primarily an artisinal activity where there is a high level of craft involved. A huge amount of skill and knowledge is necessary to perform the task, and while there is "an art" to it you are not necessarily creating a work of "art" per se - first and foremost because you are not making a personal artistic statement but rather fulfilling a specific need for a client. This often means meeting audience expectations in the same way that the characters, story, and themes do. If you want a happy theme, you aren't going to be exploring how a 12 tone row can satisfy that emotional requirement. There is a reason so many scores sound alike - not necessarily because of the lack of inspiration or creativity on behalf of the composer, but that they are meeting expectations.
That said, music in film could be considered art if the film is looking to break from convention, to invent something new or different from what has come before.
In any case it's all in the ear of the beholder, and certainly even in the art world there is constant debate about what constitutes art. I like @ ShadowwaterStudios reply in the sense that you kind of have to ask yourself "why worry about it?" and just enjoy/write music that speaks to you.
I love the reference to fight sports.
Of course it's *creative*. You are asked as a professional to solve the problem of how music should work to picture in a narrative context. You must come to creative solutions.
Is it *original*? Well, what is these days? I would say that for the most part, you are not being asked to act as an artist. Writing film music is primarily an artisinal activity where there is a high level of craft involved. A huge amount of skill and knowledge is necessary to perform the task, and while there is "an art" to it you are not necessarily creating a work of "art" per se - first and foremost because you are not making a personal artistic statement but rather fulfilling a specific need for a client. This often means meeting audience expectations in the same way that the characters, story, and themes do. If you want a happy theme, you aren't going to be exploring how a 12 tone row can satisfy that emotional requirement. There is a reason so many scores sound alike - not necessarily because of the lack of inspiration or creativity on behalf of the composer, but that they are meeting expectations.
That said, music in film could be considered art if the film is looking to break from convention, to invent something new or different from what has come before.
In any case it's all in the ear of the beholder, and certainly even in the art world there is constant debate about what constitutes art. I like @ ShadowwaterStudios reply in the sense that you kind of have to ask yourself "why worry about it?" and just enjoy/write music that speaks to you.
This post has been edited by Gichre: 19 April 2011
Posted 02 July 2011
hello i am gonna take this talk. Seen from my view as a guy doing it as a hobby.
For me i love to fiend a picture, art 3d what ever.
And see if i can make music, that suite the picture.
Like is it epic battle joy what ever.
i will say one day i hope i get a break.
so for me it is a creative thing
For me i love to fiend a picture, art 3d what ever.
And see if i can make music, that suite the picture.
Like is it epic battle joy what ever.
i will say one day i hope i get a break.so for me it is a creative thing
Page 1 of 1