John Williams
Name two franchises John Williams scored.
Star Wars, Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Home Alone, Indiana Jones
What two instruments revolutionized the modern Horror Soundtrack?
Strings, Synthesizer
The Dark Knight trilogy was iconic for many reasons. Which pop culture craze did the series kick off?
Dark, Gritty, Personal superhero movies.
What is one reason a composer might use a synthesizer in their music instead of an orchestra?
Budget, unique sounds, etc.
What is the definition of a character theme?
A sound or motif that is associated with a character or event.
What is the most famous piece of music John Williams ever wrote?
Imperial March (Vader Theme)
How did the soundtracks of the golden age compare to more modern horror scores?
Minimalism, playing with silence.
Name all three movies in the Dark Knight Trilogy
Batman begins, Dark Knight, Dark Knight Rises
Name at least two instruments in the string section.
Violin, Viola, Cello, String Bass.
Changes in a character's Theme may indicate...
Changes in character development/mood
Wat does the term "Mickey Mousing" mean?
The music closely imitates what is happening on screen.
How is a horror score different than the scores of other types of movies?
Used to create suspense, ambient noise, minimalistic
The Batman theme in "Dark Knight" (second movie) becomes slow and depressing. What does this reflect in Batman's character?
A moral low point, the realization that he cannot exist without his evil counterparts
What instrument developed in the 1950s allowed composers to reduce their budget?
Synthesizer
Name a famous Character Theme. Which character is it for? Extra points if you sing it.
Jaws, Hedwig's theme, Imperial march, Batman theme, Jurassic Park
What were some of John Williams' inspirations for his music?
Golden age scores, classical music.
In the early 20th century, composers started to experiment with alternative techniques to use on string instruments. What purpose did those techniques serve for horror scores?
Ambient noise
The background of the Batman Theme contains a pulsing, intense bass drum. In the second film, that bass drum pulse is replaced with what instrument?
How does a synthesizer produce sound? What kind of sounds does it produce?
Pure sound waves using electrical currents.
What are some common ways composers alter their music to create a different mood or effect?
Instrumentation, tempo, dynamics, etc.
John Williams is the second most awarded artist in history. Who is the first?
Walt Disney
Which movie is credited with creating the "Jump Scare"?
Psycho.
Who wrote the score for the "Dark Knight" Trilogy?
Hans Zimmer
Name a way string players can create sound effects.
Col Legno, Ricochet, ponticello
Name a composer who uses character themes often.
Hans Zimmer, John Williams.