Research into Film trailer music

At the start of our lesson we listened to 4 different tracks of music, we then had to write down what genere we thought the music could be applied to. When listening to the pieces of music I looked for specifc points that could link that piece to the genre, for example I listened for;

• The pace and rhythm 
• key/chords - minor(usually melencolic) or major
• choice of instruments e.g Snare drum common to military scores
• Sounds effects - consistent with the genre
• Digital enhancement

From doing this activity I learnt the importance of music in a genre in conveying the genre, mood, narritive, to build atmosphere and setting the tone.

I then researched into film trailer music:

Trailer music is background music used for film previews/trailers. This is not always from the films official sound track, the purpose of the music is to complement, integrate and support the sales messaging. Because the score for a film is usually composed after its finished, a trailer will incorporate music from other sources. Sometimes music from other successful films.

Specially composed music. One of the most famous Hollywood trailer music composers is John Beal, who began scoring trailers in the 1970s in his 30 years in the industry he has created original music for over 2,000 film trailers, including 40 of the top-grossing films of all time, such as Star Wars, Forrest Gump, Titanic, Aladdin, The Last Samurai  and The Matrix. I found this information from Wikipedia Trailer music 


During my research I came across an article from thew gaurdian called 'Movie trailer music: it's not what you think' this was useful in finding further and unusual information about trailer music.

Trailer libraries

"Library" music, which is previously, composed production music. Many Trailer library companies do not offer their music to the public. But rather develop and license music exclusively to motion picture studios.  Although Immediate Music, Two Steps from Hell have released albums available to the public.

 After researching into film trailer music I chose two trailers to look at and listen to the types and styles of music of the trailers. I wanted to see if the music that went with the trailer applied to the genre and what elemenst such as instruments,pace and rhythm help to create the sense of genre. 

Maleficent - Theatrical trailer Maleficent Trailer 

The most stricking thing about the music at the start of the trailer is that the score of music is the orginal song "Once upon a dream" (Original version). However it has been adpated to make the pace slower, more orchestral and new sound eeffects/digital enhancement have been added to bring the song up to date with the film. As the original socre of music sounds operatic and has a faster pace, also the way Mary Costa sang the orginal version seems a happier upbeat version. On the other hand the way Lana Del Ray sings the new version (Once Upon a Dream new version) of the song, is more of a malevolent, slow pace and eerie kind of feeling to it.  




The Great Gatsby - International trailer  Great Gatsby trailer

 

The trailer music is split into two parts, the first section of the music is very orchestral and there is a heavy focus on a piano which ties in with the 1920s theme and art deco style. The sing Lana Del Ray is the voice piece of the song, I think that the tone and style of her voice fit perfectly with the genre of the films and the 1920s style. Also the song was written by Lana Del Ray and is entitled Young and Beautiful which I feel ties in with the plot line of the film and the story behind Gatsby and Daisy.
When the music changes half way through the trailer this indicates a change in mood and atmosphere within the plot line as the trailer begins to build up to its climax and the music is parallel to this change and build up of tension.