- Watch the film without sound - play the film on mute and note the dimensions of the film and which parts have more details so whether they need faster or slower music. You can also concentrate more on the moving sequences without being distracted by sound.
- Select the instruments - choose carefully and think about the different types of sounds the instruments make, low or high or whether they create dolce (sweetly) or dolore (grief) or grazioso (graceful) sounds.
- Stick to the feeling of the film - think about what emotions you want to portray and express in your film and apply that knowledge to when you're creating the sounds and putting them together and on to your film.
- Experiment - don't make the music dull, boring and monotone. Add textures with melodic, rhythmic and harmonic materials to create a deep composition that brings out the story in the film. Add dissonance and complex chords to portray the themes you're trying to get across and to draw the audience in.
- Don't ask for feedback - go with what feels right and stick to your gut, everyone has different opinions on music and yours should be the only one that matters because you're the only one that knows what you are trying to get across with your music in your film.
Describe how Hans Zimmer and Christopher Nolan worked together to create the music for The Dark Knight:
Talked about it very early on, Christopher sent Hans stills and shots of what he [Hans] was trying to do to get a feel of the piece. If Hans was going too over-the-top and 'into the deep end', Christopher would push him further. They communicated a lot, talking about 'razor blades on strings', 'punk influence' and 'creating tension'.
Talked about it very early on, Christopher sent Hans stills and shots of what he [Hans] was trying to do to get a feel of the piece. If Hans was going too over-the-top and 'into the deep end', Christopher would push him further. They communicated a lot, talking about 'razor blades on strings', 'punk influence' and 'creating tension'.
What was the process that Hans Zimmer used to come up with the music?
Hans did lots of different experiments and experimented with lots of different sounds. He then refined the sounds down to something that was practical to use.
Hans did lots of different experiments and experimented with lots of different sounds. He then refined the sounds down to something that was practical to use.
What was Hans Zimmer's intentions when making this soundtrack?
Hans wanted a provocative sound that the audience would 'truly hate' as opposed to a summer blockbuster-feel type of sound.
Hans wanted a provocative sound that the audience would 'truly hate' as opposed to a summer blockbuster-feel type of sound.
What qualities did Hans Zimmer want the music to have?
He wanted a piece that was minimalism but effective, had a punk style influence, and was full of tension.
He wanted a piece that was minimalism but effective, had a punk style influence, and was full of tension.
How do you feel about the final score and explain why you feel it does/doesn't work:
I feel that the sounds of the cello and guitar and razor blades worked well together to make an engaging piece that remained minimalistic but still had rising tension and a punk influence. Hans made a good job balancing all of the different elements for the final score.
I feel that the sounds of the cello and guitar and razor blades worked well together to make an engaging piece that remained minimalistic but still had rising tension and a punk influence. Hans made a good job balancing all of the different elements for the final score.
