Theory Behind Succesful Soundtracks

Written by Red Williams

The soundtrack behind a film has become so important that it is impossible to imagine a modern day film without one. As the medium of film has aged over the years, the soundtrack has become increasingly more important. What was created as a means of overpowering the loud projection machine is now an intricate and essential aspect of film. Throughout the years, numerous composers have tried different techniques and style, some worked while some failed miserably, but what exactly constitutes a successful soundtrack? For a soundtrack to be successful, it must act as an invisible hand, grabbing the viewer and pulling them into the film's world. The ultimate goal of film is to reach its audience on an emotional level, and the soundtrack must act as a catalyst in this process.

One easy way for a soundtrack to lure its audience into the film's world is for the music to parallel the overall attitude of the film. In other words, we wouldn't want upbeat, invigorating music playing behind a somber scene in Schindler's List. The music should embody the emotion behind the visual. An excellent example of this was the execution scene in Braveheart where soft, melodic music played as William Wallace found peace.

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