The Role of Music in Film: How Composers Shape Storytelling Through Sound
The Role of a Composer
As a composer, I thrive in creative and fast-paced environments, where my role is to collaborate and help bring a vision to life through music and sound. My goal for clients is to offer signature sounds that elevate the stories they are trying to tell.
The Power of Music in Film and TV: Creating Emotional Landscapes
Music has an almost magical ability to deepen the emotional landscape of a story. The right music at the right moment can stir feelings, set the tone, and forge a stronger connection to the characters. Whether it’s a moment of tension, triumph, or heartbreak, the music is there to guide the audience through the emotional highs and lows of the narrative. As a composer, I see my job as creating a sonic experience that allows the audience to feel and discover a deeper connection to the visuals unfolding before them.
From the ethereal hum of a piano to the shimmering strings of an orchestra, every note I write is to complement the narrative and awaken emotions. The music doesn't just accompany the scenes—it becomes part of the story itself. Without music, a story can feel incomplete, almost empty. This is why choosing the right music is never a decision to take lightly. Don’t settle. Music has the power to transform a scene, lifting it into something unforgettable or leaving it flat and uninspired. It’s just as crucial to the process as selecting the right director, actors, or creative team.
One of my favorite examples is the Interstellar clip that’s often used as a meme because it’s become so recognizable. Check it out below! Why does it stand out? Because the film's score perfectly amplifies the emotion of the scene. The score is what has made it iconic, along with Matthew McConaughey’s stellar performance.
Watch how the emotional score in Interstellar enhances Matthew McConaughey’s iconic cry scene, transforming it into a powerful, unforgettable moment.
How Music Shapes Emotional Storytelling
A single song can entirely reshape the emotional weight of a scene. Take, for example, the famous video circulating of the intense moment between Harry Potter and Dolores Umbridge in Order of the Phoenix. In this particular scene, Umbridge punishes Harry by making him harm himself, which is a tense and uncomfortable moment in the film. However, if you replace the score with something sensual—as they’ve done below—the entire tone shifts. The music transforms the scene into something still very uncomfortable, but now the discomfort stems instead from the scene suggesting an inappropriate tension that wasn’t there before. The eye contact between the characters, which originally was a moment of defiance and punishment, now feels unsettling and even intimate (it’s hard to watch), all because of the change in the music supporting the interaction.
This example is a powerful reminder of how sound can guide the audience’s emotions and reshape their understanding of the story. Music adds layers to a scene that dialogue and action alone cannot. It has the power to shape how the audience feels, what they understand, and what they take away from the experience.
You can watch the original scene here.
Watch how swapping the music in this Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix scene between Harry and Dolores Umbridge completely alters its emotional tone and impact.
How Film Inspired My Composing Journey
Film and television have always been my creative playground and the reason I became a composer. As a kid, I found myself captivated not just by the visuals, but by how the music shaped my emotional response to the story. I vividly remember watching Jurassic Park as a kid and realizing how the music didn’t just accompany the film—it became part of the film, amplifying the awe and wonder of the adventure on the screen. The score by John Williams (a musical genius) was so incredible that it stayed with me long after the movie ended. I found myself wanting to return again and again, just to relive that opening moment. I’ve done you the favor of posting it below!
It was that realization—the power of music to transform a film—that ignited my passion for composing. Although I’ve always loved filmmaking and considered becoming a director at one point, it was the marriage of music and storytelling that inspired me to pursue a career in composition. Music wasn’t just a backdrop to the film…it was a key element in telling the whole story.
The opening theme of Jurassic Park by John Williams does an amazing job of capturing the awe and excitement of the film, making it an unforgettable moment.
The Intersection of Music and Storytelling
My diverse experience between being a songwriter, musician, composer for film and television, and screenwriter has taught me how to create music that not only fits but also amplifies the narrative. I understand that every component—sound, visuals, and dialogue—must work together to bring a project to life. Music must align with the tone and emotional core of the story to really serve it. For example, Check out my recent soundtrack composed for alchemy rpg game, lore of aetherra: dark symmetry.
Collaboration and Flexibility in the Creative Process
I’m committed to being punctual and flexible, constantly adapting to the needs of the project while staying open to change. I don’t hold onto my ideas too tightly, because to me, the story is always King. While I have my own creative vision, I know my role is to support and elevate the vision of others—those who have poured their energy and passion into their projects as I do with my own. However, I do have a lot of confidence in myself as a composer and am not a stranger to creative freedom. In other words, I am happy to follow a brief, or freely compose demos, depending on the clients preference!
Let’s Bring Your Vision to Life
If you’re looking to hire a composer for your project, please don’t hesitate to reach out! I’d love to chat and explore how my music can bring your vision to life and elevate your storytelling through sound. Shoot me a message here!
In addition to freelance gigs, I’m also grateful to be working for incredible music houses such as The Crystal Creative in Portland, OR as well as Score a Score and Assemble Sound!
