Film Music

Subject guarantor:

Jakub KUDLÁČ (FAMU, Praha 1, Smetanovo nábř. 2)

Name of lecturer(s):

Jakub KUDLÁČ (FAMU, Praha 1, Smetanovo nábř. 2)

Learning outcomes of the course unit:

Film music is largely discussed topic in recent years. Our focus is basically the relation of music and narration. Students will be provided with analysis of different approaches of using music in cinema.

Mode of study:

Prerequisites and co-requisites:

Recommended optional programme components:

Course contents:

In this course we will examine the different approaches to medium of sound film and especially the music in film in respect to narration. Through topical survey of sound history in film, we believe to clarify the very special and fluid connection between the storytelling and music. This connection, by its very nature, is fluid and thus impossible to define in any strict sense of the word, on the other hand, there is some more or less constant connection undoubtedly. If there is any habit in film music, and at least an existence of so-called cliché proves it, there must be, to some extent, regularity and some set of rules. By means of detailed analysis of various examples we will find and describe aesthetically and poetically different ways of using the music and sound in cinema.

First part of lecture will cover the early sound film. The first years of sound film can be labeled as an experimental years. The medium of sound film was just born, and the rules of ?normal? use of music in narrative were in process of practical discovery. Obviously, the question is, whether there is any normality in our field of study.

Second part of lecture will focus on digressions from previously stated normality by exploring of examples of unusual musical conception in movies.

And finally, the third part of lecture will try to raise few remarks on contemporary way of using music in Hollywood cinema.

Recommended or required reading:

Planned learning activities and teaching methods:

Assessment methods and criteria:

2 credits

assignement: two-page essay/individual task, 100% attendance

the deadline: March 8, 2013

Course web page:

Note:

FILM MUSIC block course is happening on February 21 from 9 am till 5:20 pm in room number 3, 2nd floor of FAMU main building.

Further information:

No schedule has been prepared for this course

The subject is a part of the following study plans:

• Fotografie EN - bakalář (optional subject)
• Fotografie EN - magistr (optional subject)
• Cinema and Digital Media - Cinematography (optional subject)
• Cinema and Digital Media - Screenwriting (optional subject)
• Cinema and Digital Media - Directing (optional subject)
• Cinematography (optional subject)