Hi all, this question is a little similar to my last but I thought it deserved its own thread, and I really did not want to 'piggy back' on my last thread.
This question below that I am about to ask is being asked with the utmost respect for all composers and the great music that they have composed in the past. This thread is in no way a thread that seeks to 'be better than other composers'.
Now, with the above out of the way, here is the question:
We know that of all the film music that exist to date, there got to be a track(s)/score piece(s) in a movie, such that when you hear it play whilst watching the film, it brings a few drops of tears to your eyes, especially if it is an emotional scene.
Whilst the above mentioned existing track(s)/score piece(s) may bring tears to our eyes gently, do you think people can compose music in the future (by current composers or future composers) which will not only gently bring tears to our eyes but those future composed track(s)/score piece(s) will be so powerful and emotional that it will really make us truly cry? When I say truly cry, I mean lots and lots of tears/grief that comes from sad, emotional scenes.
It depends on the scene, but I have no doubt that composers and the Director of a movie have the potential to makes us weep, should they wish it. For example, I still find the beginning of Star Trek 2009 hard going due to the score underpinning the sacrifice of Daddy Kirk. Zimmer used to help elicit tears in some of the movies that he scored. Bear McCreary is expert in helping provide emotion to scenes in the TV shows that he scores. Example: the recent season finale of Agents of Shield.
I've always considered Stanley Myers' main theme to THE DEER HUNTER one of the saddest pieces of music I've ever heard, sad in terms of it making you feel sad. I guess it could make you cry too if you thought about sad things while listening to it.
I'm not sure how composing for the future would differ from how such scenes were composed in the past ? You lost me there. But perhaps you feel that such composing tactics have been exhausted by now?
Movies are surely always going to need all of the elements at their disposal to elicit emotions from an audience -- acting, screenplays, editing, direction, etc. -- you might as well ask if in the future it will be possible for actors to act "for more tears."
Even an immersive, virtual reality, movie will need all of these crafts and artistic elements to have an emotional impact.
Hi all, this question is a little similar to my last but I thought it deserved its own thread, and I really did not want to 'piggy back' on my last thread.
This question below that I am about to ask is being asked with the utmost respect for all composers and the great music that they have composed in the past. This thread is in no way a thread that seeks to 'be better than other composers'.
Now, with the above out of the way, here is the question:
We know that of all the film music that exist to date, there got to be a track(s)/score piece(s) in a movie, such that when you hear it play whilst watching the film, it brings a few drops of tears to your eyes, especially if it is an emotional scene.
Whilst the above mentioned existing track(s)/score piece(s) may bring tears to our eyes gently, do you think people can compose music in the future (by current composers or future composers) which will not only gently bring tears to our eyes but those future composed track(s)/score piece(s) will be so powerful and emotional that it will really make us truly cry? When I say truly cry, I mean lots and lots of tears/grief that comes from sad, emotional scenes.
Strange question. It suggests that of all the film music until now, none has made anyone truly cry. I think you will get a lot of arguments from all directions with that.
Anyway our response varies not just from person to person but from time to time. What may have made me cry years ago may not do anything today.
Short answer. Yes, there will always composers who will push our emotional buttons.
James Horner in my opinion composed the MOST tear inducing music ever and Alex North, John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith and Elmer Bernstein followed closely behind to be sure.
If future composers share the gifts these greats gave us, anything is possible.
James Horner in my opinion composed the MOST tear inducing music ever and Alex North, John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith and Elmer Bernstein followed closely behind to be sure.
If future composers share the gifts these greats gave us, anything is possible.
Alfred newman was very good at it as well. Newman and north were the best.
I'm not sure how composing for the future would differ from how such scenes were composed in the past ? You lost me there.
I should have explained better as I lost myself there too! It was not meant to be a past/future comparison but more meant to be one of capability. That is, the capability for people to compose greatness in the future.
Strange question. It suggests that of all the film music until now, none has made anyone truly cry. I think you will get a lot of arguments from all directions with that.
Well, by the truly cry concept I mean tears streaming down moviegoers' faces as they walked along the aisles and exited the cinema at the end of the movie.
Movies are surely always going to need all of the elements at their disposal to elicit emotions from an audience -- acting, screenplays, editing, direction, etc. -- you might as well ask if in the future it will be possible for actors to act "for more tears."
Even an immersive, virtual reality, movie will need all of these crafts and artistic elements to have an emotional impact.
I solidly 110% agree with your above note. Music is one thing, but acting, direction, editing etc. are of utmost importance also to deliver great emotion to scenes before tears can start flowing!
Well, by the truly cry concept I mean tears streaming down moviegoers' faces as they walked along the aisles and exited the cinema at the end of the movie.
Does that happen? I think people are more toughened up and de-sensitised generally these days, so it may be more difficult to affect their senses to the point where they're physically crying like that. So whilst the music could still be written in the same way as beforehand, it's going to take a certain mindset to have an effect on it like that.
First of all, that what makes us cry, is far more complicated than just the music.
Simply put, it is stimuli, affection, mood and surroundings. Music (and images and other stimuli) can convey emotions, but mostly the tears come because of the way they can evoke memories (and then emotions). That way the stimuli, either music and/or images can hit us harder emotionally. (Smell is a very powerful sense to evoke memories. Remember mamma's apple pie? See red and white apron?Cue the music! Bam: tears.).
Third, the way were are in the moment affects our responsiveness. If you are already sad or very tired, you're at a greater chance to cry then when you're at the end of a relaxed day at work.
Last, we have to feel safe to expose our emotions openly. People do not like you show what they feel in public. Just look at faces in a subway; there all 'closed'. But when the environment makes us feel secure — because of friends and/or familiarity, or generally the lack of strangers and unfamiliarity — we are far more able to open ourselves and cry.
James Horner in my opinion composed the MOST tear inducing music ever and Alex North, John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith and Elmer Bernstein followed closely behind to be sure.
If future composers share the gifts these greats gave us, anything is possible.
Strange question. It suggests that of all the film music until now, none has made anyone truly cry. I think you will get a lot of arguments from all directions with that.
Well, by the truly cry concept I mean tears streaming down moviegoers' faces as they walked along the aisles and exited the cinema at the end of the movie.
A) If you are talking about EVERY member of the audience then that will never happen. We all react differently. I was around when ET opened and there were plenty of dry eyes (not mine) in the audience. So unanimous teary-eyed reactions on any level can't be done (okay, maybe a very small audience). B) Again, you suggested this has not happened yet individually. You obviously were not around when my parents took me to OLD YELLER. Now whether you attribute it to Oliver Wallace or the film, that kid was inconsolable.
Strange question. It suggests that of all the film music until now, none has made anyone truly cry. I think you will get a lot of arguments from all directions with that.
Well, by the truly cry concept I mean tears streaming down moviegoers' faces as they walked along the aisles and exited the cinema at the end of the movie.
A) If you are talking about EVERY member of the audience then that will never happen. We all react differently. I was around when ET opened and there were plenty of dry eyes (not mine) in the audience. So unanimous teary-eyed reactions on any level can't be done (okay, maybe a very small audience). B) Again, you suggested this has not happened yet individually. You obviously were not around when my parents took me to OLD YELLER. Now whether you attribute it to Oliver Wallace or the film, that kid was inconsolable.
True, true; point noted. I agree not everyone will react the same way and seeing everyone walking out the cinema crying is sort of impossible. Lots of people want to guard their ego and prefer to cry in private anyway and some will not cry at all.
Hey Morricone funny you should mention that. I was tutoring a home-schooling teenager yesterday and asked what novel he read last in public school. It was Old Yeller. Oh did that spawn a discussion. Interestingly, the kid says he hasn't seen the film but can't imagine it being as shattering as the book!
