In the world of film, television, online and other visual media, production music plays an essential role in shaping the emotional tone and enhancing the storytelling experience for the audience.
The art of crafting a truly great piece of music for this purpose requires a delicate balance whereby it supports and enhances on-screen action and primary elements like dialogue, narrative and visuals without distraction or becoming the focus of the scene itself. With the growing influence of AI-generated creative arts, the artistry behind human-made production scores is more critical than ever. Here's a closer look at what makes a great piece of production music and how human musicianship will continue to define the industry.
1. Supporting, Not Distracting: The Role of Top Lines
One of the primary functions of production music is to underscore the visual narrative; not to steal the spotlight. This is particularly important when it comes to top line melodies that can distract the audience if too dominant and take attention away from dialogue or important plot points. In an ideal production score, melodies are subtle and often placed in a lower register, weaving into the background to complement rather than compete with the spoken word.
2. Consistency in Mood: Avoiding Abrupt Changes
Another hallmark of great production music is its ability to maintain a consistent mood. Abrupt shifts in the music can suggest changes in the on-screen narrative even when none are present, which can lead to an unconscious confusion for the audience. To prevent this, producers and composers can stick to a linear structure in their underscore, ensuring that the music evolves gradually and stays aligned with the emotional trajectory of the scene.
The goal is to guide the viewer’s emotions smoothly, helping them stay immersed in the story without the jarring influence of sudden tonal shifts. This consistency is particularly vital in scenes with extended dialogue, where the music should remain emotionally steady rather than suggesting unseen narrative pivots, however where intended, a shift in score can deeply enhance a shock or surprise within the narrative.
3. The Power of Real Instruments: Human Musicianship in the AI Era
As AI technology continues to develop, it has made significant inroads into the creative world and especially the music industry. AI-generated music can produce convincing soundtracks quickly and cost-effectively, but it often lacks the nuance and emotional depth that comes from a human consciousness. This is where real musicians, playing real instruments, make all the difference.
Live performances bring a rich and organic quality to music that AI struggles to replicate. The imperfections: slight timing variations, room temperature, mood of each individual and expressive dynamics that come from a human touch add something that resonates with audiences on a deep level. When musicians perform, they interpret the feel and pacing of a scene in ways that algorithms currently cannot. This kind of human artistry elevates the whole production from being simply functional to becoming an integral part of the emotional experience.
Conclusion
A great piece of production music is one that supports the narrative without overshadowing it, by keeping top lines subtle, maintaining moods consistent with the narrative, and focusing on the emotional power of the music.
Gifted musicians and producers continue to create memorable soundtracks that enhance visual media and in the face of AI's growing presence in the industry, it is our human artistry, failings and the use of real instruments in recording studios, that will keep production music crafted by humans, relevant and irreplaceable for a while yet.