Sounds and silences: how to make or break a film

The job of a scorer is often overlooked but integral to filmmaking

By Kaia Mann, Opinion Editor

Music composer Nicolas Godin creating the score for Fire of Love in his home studio (David Zagdoun).

DUN-dun, DUN-dun, DUN-dun. The iconically terrifying theme of Jaws plays in the head of anyone swimming a little too far from shore, a testament to the importance of a good movie score. 

Unlike a film's soundtrack, the score is the instrumental music written and produced specifically for the movie. The score weaves throughout the story, enhancing every scene it plays behind. The shark in Spielburg’s Jaws would not be nearly as terrifying if not for the distinct doom of the F and F sharp notes playing in the background.  

Jaws (1975) John Williams 

Jaws is one of the most iconic examples of an everlasting music theme. John Williams has a vast discography, writing for ET, Indiana Jones, Star Wars and more. In all of his movies, the music is recognizable even outside its original context. The theme of Jaws can turn an otherwise harmless body of water into a shark-infested horror scene. 

Dune (2021) Hanz Zimmer

Hans Zimmer is one of the most well-known scorers working today and the banshee-like scoring of Dune works in conjunction with the vast visuals to create an all-encompassing moviegoing experience. In the score, you can hear a grainy quality not unlike the sound of wind and sand blowing by. Duduk, an ancient windpipe, was modified by Zimmer to add an ethereal and airy essence. Unique and perfectly synced to the story, the score of Dune puts the viewers right there in the desert with the characters. 

Lawrence of Arabia (1962) Maurice Jarre

Lawrence of Arabia is a behemoth of a film, with music to back it up. Telling the tale of T.E. Laurence leading the Arabic forces against the Turks in World War I, Maurice Jarre used a grand orchestral and Arabic drum to signify the adventure and setting of the film and add to its grandiose. The music swells with the tension of the movie and takes the listener on a journey through the Middle East. 

Lord of the Rings (2001-2003) Howard Shore 

Leitmotifs, a technique used in scoring connecting musical phrases to people or places is practiced by Howard Shore in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It is considered one of the best adaptations, and its fantastical score plays a big part in that. The music in Lord of the Rings Is elegant yet triumphant, guiding the listener through each chapter of the story utilizing orchestral arrangements mixed with unique vocals. Howard Shore connects the music to each character and setting in Middle Earth cultivating a musical language. 

Fire of Love (2022) Nicolas Godin

You may think a big adventure is where a score can shine brightest, but documentary scores often have a more important and challenging job. Fire of Love is about a couple dedicating their life to the study of volcanoes. While the subject is intense, the documentary largely focuses on the couple themselves.  Nicolas Godin intentionally used more home-made, analog techniques to match what he believed fit the subjects of the film best. The score is fiery and intense but allows the true romantic story to shine through.  

On average about 10% of a movie's budget is dedicated to its music. While consumers may not always pay attention to the sound behind a film, a good score can make or break a story. As people line up to see the newest premier on the biggest, loudest screen they can find, there is a growing emphasis on the technical aspects of these movies. Today more than ever, people are not just watching the movie but listening to it.