...Short Essays 1) Describe the three basic types of music heard in original scores during the silent film era and cites specific examples from The Birth of a Nation. (10 points) There are three basic types of music heard in The Birth of a Nation. Each type serves it’s own purpose in the film. The first is adaptations of classical works. These adaptations are extended versions of the original classical piece of work. These adaptations are used for extensive action scenes. For example, Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyrie is the leitmotif for the Klu Klux Klan in the movie. The second type is arrangements of well-known melodies. These well-known melodies are used for emotional appeal. For example, “Dixie”, a very popular song of the South, is used to express Southern patriotism. Also, these well-known melodies were used to set a racist mood. A scene shows slaves dancing to “Turkey in the Straw”. Lastly, the third type is original music. The original music is used to reinforce the characters of the movie. For example, Elsie has a sweet, playful leitmotif. This theme implies her innocence. The original music in The Birth of a Nation is the strongest of the three types, composed by Joseph Carl Briel. 2) What is the role of source music in Casablanca? (10 points) The role of source music in Casablanca is in the development of the character Rick. The source music used is mostly American popular music. All the popular songs used are barrowed. The only exception is “Knock on Wood,” which...
Words: 988 - Pages: 4
...Midterm 1: Short Essays 1. Describe the three basic types of music heard in original scores during the silent film era and cite specific examples from The Birth of a Nation. Music alone can become a powerful source that affects our daily lives also playing a huge role in regards to art, film, and everywhere we go in general. In movies, music foreshadow scenes for viewers and builds up our emotions which increases our feeling of happiness, sorrow, hilarity, fear, and much more. During the silent film era there were three basic types of music heard in original scores; consisting of adaptions of classics, arrangements of tunes, and newly composed music which can also found in the silent film Birth of a Nation. Adaption to classical music indicates a dramatic scene that is about to be played out, Birth of a Nation used music by Mozart to indicate the tension and violence during the assassination of Lincoln and the ending of the movie. Arrangements of tunes are used to set and brighten the mood, for example “My Maryland, My Maryland” and “Dixie” were used to lessen the tension bringing a brighter atmosphere into play. Newly composed music being the third basic type of score was used to change the theme of a story as Birth of a Nation has done with D.W Griffith’s music. 2. What is the role of source music in Casablanca? 3. The music for Gone with the Wind is the paradigm of the Classic Hollywood film score, and the music for Citizan Kane represents, like the film as...
Words: 305 - Pages: 2
