Music

Music plays an important part in all movie soundtracks. It is used, just like the piano was in the silent era, to control the mood of the audience. It can create tension, excitement and joy. It can also give you advance warning of plot changes. There's an example of this in the digital story that you'll come to later. Notice how the music changes when Great Grandad's own father is introduced. You just know what's going to be said next.

These two examples are simple slide shows with background music. Both use the same set of photographs. The difference is in the music.

Start with Slide Show 1 (on the left). Look at the pictures and listen to the music. How does it make you feel? Do you think this would be a nice place to go for a country walk or a picnic?

Now play Slide Show 2 (on the right). The pictures are the same but the mood is quite different because the music has changed. Would you like to go for a country walk now?

These two examples are very simple because they were created for primary school children but their simplicity doesn't undermine the importance of their message. Music creates mood.

When you're watching a film, the television or even just an advert, listen to the music and think about how the creators have chosen the music carefully to influence you. Why did they choose the music they did? What were they trying to make you feel? Did they succeed?

Now we shall move on to still images. You've just watched two slide shows but there's more to still images than you'd think. Read on.

Go on to Still Images or choose from the menu on the left