Wall-to-Wall Music in Documentaries Drives Me Crazy in Documentaries – you?
Roger Sherman
Documentary Filmmaker-Photographer-Doc Doctor: 2 Oscar noms - Emmy - Peabody - James Beard - Florentine Films
Every filmmaker and anyone who pays attention to the many elements that go into documentaries, knows how important music is. It can really elevate the story, helping create moods and environments. Like narration writing, it’s a singular skill; not every composer can deliver. Music must sit just behind the main characters, not overpower or draw a lot of attention to itself.
If we’re lucky enough to afford original music, the possibilities are enormous. Music can reinforce the feelings subjects are conveying, building as the scene gets to the kicker line – a punchline just like in comedy. The music ends with a bounce just before the character comes on camera. That statement becomes much more important than if the music plays through it. The stop tells viewers this is important, take notice.
So, I’ve wondered why, even some great filmmakers who I really respect, have taken to laying in wall-to-wall music. It never ends. Maybe it cuts, then starts again a few moments later, but mostly tracks cross dissolve or fade out then in. The more I hear it drone on and on, the more distracting it becomes.
What do you think?
Totally agree- feel manipulated especially when it's over interviews.
Award Winning Composer for Motion Pictures
6 年It depends on the composition although, I personally on documentaries try to not write music everywhere. When the music drops out and allows the narrator or interviewee to speak without any distractions, I find that the music then speaks much more when it is reintroduced. But as I said at the start of this comment, it depends on the composition it self. Even if sparse, if it overtakes the events on the?screen, it can still be too much. It's a fine balance.
Director, THE PNEUMAFRACTALIST
6 年Agreed!