Blockbuster Films of the 1970s

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Questions and Answers

What characterized the tone of many films in the 1970s prior to the rise of the blockbuster?

  • Action-packed and adventurous
  • Optimistic and humorous
  • Fantasy-driven and lighthearted
  • Realistic and cynical (correct)

What is the primary target audience for blockbuster films that emerged in the mid-to-late 1970s?

  • Children and youth (correct)
  • Senior citizens
  • Adults aged 30 and above
  • Young adults and college students

What aspect of filmmaking did the new generation of filmmakers in the 1970s incorporate with their artistic vision?

  • The concept of the blockbuster (correct)
  • Experimental film styles
  • Traditional storytelling methods
  • Silent film techniques

Which filmmaker is NOT mentioned as part of the new generation that emerged in the 1970s?

<p>Christopher Nolan (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What musical feature is noted in relation to blockbuster films of the 1970s?

<p>Elaborate and extensive music (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'canon' refer to in the context of filmmaking?

<p>A body of works considered significant in film history (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which film directed by Steven Spielberg in 1975 is mentioned as incorporating a notable musical theme?

<p>Jaws (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a common reason for the decline in film attendance during the 1970s?

<p>Increased competition from television (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant technological advancement in the 1960s made sound synthesis more accessible to musicians?

<p>Development of portable synthesizers (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did John Carpenter compensate for the low budget of the film 'Halloween' concerning the score?

<p>He wrote and performed the score himself using a synthesizer (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What technique in the score of 'Halloween' contributes to the creation of tension and unease?

<p>Ostinatos (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way is the music from 'Halloween' structurally different from most familiar music meters?

<p>It can be counted in either a 10-beat or 5-beat measure (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which character's name in 'Halloween' is a reference to Alfred Hitchcock's 'Psycho'?

<p>Sam Loomis (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the primary influences on the musical score of 'Halloween'?

<p>The techniques used in 'Psycho' (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of the score in 'Halloween' makes it widely recognized within the horror genre?

<p>The main title music and ostinato patterns (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What auditory experience does the murder theme in 'Psycho' primarily aim to evoke in the listener?

<p>Shock and unease (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the overall effect of lower, ominous notes in the sound layering process discussed?

<p>They add thickness and chaos to the sound (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the score for 'Halloween' distinguish itself from the typical horror movie score?

<p>By creating a memorable main title music and innovative meter (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What musical technique is prominently featured in John Williams' score for 'Jaws'?

<p>Ostinato (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which composer is noted for having influenced John Williams' scoring style for 'Star Wars'?

<p>Erich Wolfgang Korngold (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of the 'Star Wars' main theme specifically contributes to its portrayal of Luke Skywalker?

<p>Fanfare-like quality (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In analyzing Princess Leia's theme, what instrument is predominantly featured?

<p>Flute (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Han Solo's theme differ from the main character themes in 'Star Wars'?

<p>It is presented as jazz played in the background (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the music in the cantina scene of 'Star Wars' primarily contribute to?

<p>Uncertainty and ambiguity (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which film is noted for its use of electronic scores influenced by portable synthesizers?

<p>Halloween (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the climactic sequence where Luke joins the Rebel alliance against the Death Star?

<p>A division into three musical parts (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are the themes associated with characters in 'Star Wars' primarily utilized?

<p>To identify character motivations and destinies (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which interval is specifically noted in the description of the main theme of 'Star Wars'?

<p>Perfect fifth (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What common motif is mentioned as recurring throughout the scores of John Williams?

<p>Triplet figures (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes 'The Godfather' themes from those in 'Star Wars'?

<p>The downward motion in themes (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What musical element is highlighted in the Force theme associated with Obi-Wan Kenobi?

<p>Melodic and slow nature (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Blockbuster Film

A film that generates immense revenue and draws large audiences to theaters, often utilizing spectacle, fantasy, and adventure elements.

Film Canon

A group of works considered to be the most significant and influential in a particular field.

Gritty Realism Filmmaking

A style of filmmaking that emerged in the 1970s, characterized by gritty realism, pessimism, cynicism, and often using music in an ironic way.

New Generation Filmmakers

A group of filmmakers who emerged in the 1970s, known for their artistic vision and use of blockbuster elements.

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Spectacle-Driven Films

A film style that embraces elaborate and extensive musical scores, often incorporating elements of spectacle, fantasy, and adventure.

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Contrary Music

The use of music in a way that contradicts the tone or mood of a scene, often creating irony or humor.

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Centralized Music

The practice of using music to enhance the emotional impact of a scene or film.

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Extensive Music in Film

This refers to the increasing use of music in movies, with more elaborate scores compared to earlier films.

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What is an ostinato?

A musical phrase that repeats over and over, creating a sense of rhythm and tension.

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What is the revival of the classic orchestral score?

A revival of the use of large orchestras to create music for films, inspired by the golden age of Hollywood.

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What is the 'Cornwall' Approach to film scoring?

A style of film music that uses music directly connected to characters, immediately establishing their personalities and roles.

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Describe Luke Skywalker's theme music.

The theme music associated with Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, characterized by its energetic and youthful quality.

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Describe the Force Theme in Star Wars.

The theme associated with the mystical Force in Star Wars, characterized by its slow, melodic, and beautiful quality.

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What musical piece influences John Williams' score for 'Jaws'?

John Williams' score for 'Jaws' is influenced by what piece of music?

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What's a key musical difference between 'The Godfather' and 'Star Wars'?

What is a main difference between the themes of 'The Godfather' and 'Star Wars'?

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What is source music?

A type of music that is played in a film's setting (e.g., a bar or a club) rather than as background underscoring.

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How is music used in 'Star Wars' to enhance storytelling?

The use of music in films to guide the audience's emotions and understanding of the story, especially in specific scenes.

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What is electronic film scoring?

The use of electronic music in films, which became popular in the late 1970s and 1980s.

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What kind of scoring is used in 'Halloween'?

The music in 'Halloween' is an example of what type of scoring?

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What impact did portable synthesizers have on film music?

How did the development of portable synthesizers impact film scoring?

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What was the effect of Dolby technology on film scoring?

How did the development of Dolby technology influence film scoring?

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Sound Synthesis

The process of creating new sounds using electronic methods, often using various synthesizers and computer software.

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Ostinato

A repetitive musical pattern or phrase that helps create a mood, tension, or anticipation. Often associated with a particular character or event.

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Asymmetrical Meter

A musical meter that is not based on two or three beats, making it sound unusual or off-beat.

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Recognizable Synthesized Sound

A sound that is similar to a natural sound, such as a piano, but is actually created electronically.

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Layering in Music

The act of layering multiple sounds or melodies on top of each other to create a richer and more complex sonic texture.

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Chromaticism in Music

A musical technique that uses chords, scales, or melodies that are not traditionally expected, often creating a feeling of disharmony or tension.

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Music to Build Tension

The use of music to create a sense of unease, suspense, or anticipation, often in horror movies, to keep the audience on edge.

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Musical Theme

A musical theme that is associated with a particular character or action, often used repeatedly to trigger a specific emotional response in the audience.

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High-Pitched Musical Shock

A rapid and unexpected change in pitch, often loud or high-pitched, used to create sudden shock or a sense of danger.

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Music and Film Storytelling

The use of music to complement and enhance the visuals and storytelling in a film, creating a deeper emotional connection with the audience.

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Study Notes

Blockbuster Films and Filmmakers of the 1970s

  • 1970s films featured a gritty, realistic, and cynical tone, often with ironic and unconventional musical use.
  • Film attendance declined from the 1940s, motivating the rise of "blockbuster films."
  • Blockbusters targeted youth and children, capitalizing on their free time and parent attendance.
  • Blockbusters centered around spectacle, fantasy, adventure, and feature elaborate, extensive musical scores.
  • A new generation of filmmakers emerged, including Spielberg, Coppola, Scorsese, and Lucas, valuing film as artistic expression and studying film history.

The Film Canon and its Influence

  • The "canon" refers to important and influential works in a field, influencing the filmmakers' style.
  • Films develop lasting appeal and become part of the canon through significance and historical development.
  • Classic films, like "The Godfather," contributed to the canon and influenced filmmakers.

The Revival of the Classic Orchestral Score

  • The classic film era's large audiences spurred the revival of large orchestral scores.
  • John Williams played a vital role, creating iconic scores for "Jaws" and "Star Wars," drawing influence from composers like Stravinsky and Herrmann.
  • Williams' "Jaws" score features a prominent two-note ostinato theme reminiscent of Stravinsky.

Analysis of the "Star Wars" Score

  • Lucas' "Star Wars" score was influenced by Golden Age Hollywood romanticism (particularly Erich Wolfgang Korngold).
  • The "Star Wars" main theme (Luke Skywalker) is a heroic, fanfare-like theme featuring energetic melodic elements.
  • The Force theme is a separate, slow, melodic, and beautiful theme, possibly a variation of another theme.
  • Music is used to represent character and their destinies (Luke's journey, Obi-Wan's mentoring).
  • Princess Leia's theme, played on flutes, is different from stereotypical female lead themes.
  • Han Solo's theme is a jazzy, background score, and his character development is ambiguous and gradual.
  • The cantina scene utilizes jazz music to portray ambiguity and atmosphere.
  • Music in "Star Wars" marks transitions and character introductions clearly.
  • The climactic battle sequence utilizes music to guide the audience through the narrative.

The Use of Electronic Scores in "Halloween"

  • Electronic music was popular in 1970s/1980s films, due to portable synthesizers and Dolby technology.
  • "Halloween" used a simple, effective electronic score composed by John Carpenter.
  • "Halloween" draws parallels to Hitchcock's "Psycho," in plot elements and characters.
  • The score utilizes ostinatos to build tension and suspense, creating an atmosphere of unease.
  • Michael Myers, the main character, is portrayed through repetitive music themes.
  • The "Halloween" score exemplifies the growing use of electronic and synthesizer sound in horror films.

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