Introduction to Film Music

The Introduction to Film Music course aims to introduce students to the often-overlooked aspect of the cinematic experience, namely the accompanying music. Our seminars will consist of viewing famous film segments and listening closely to the underlying soundtrack. We will discuss and analyse the music from famous American and European movies in order to familiarise ourselves with the techniques of film composers, such as John Williams, Hans Zimmer, Alexandre Desplat, Nino Rota, Max Steiner, Bernard Herman, among others. We will also look at compilation music prepared by directors who took matters into their own hands (Woody Allen, Quentin Tarantino, Stanley Kubrick, Charlie Chaplin, just to name a few). We will try to find answers to the questions of how music best serves the film and how it can affect our emotions. This module will develop a better understanding of cinema and music, alongside public speaking skills and critical thinking.