Sing along

Assignment 5

Semester Project: Movie Soundtrack Analysis 

Movie: The Woman King

Semester Project: Movie Soundtrack Analysis: Part 1

The Woman King

The movie Woman King centers around African-American female soldiers volunteering for a dangerous mission during the Civil War. The scene chosen for analysis is set in a field of tall grass just before dawn as the women prepare for battle. We witness their courage and determination as they prepare their weapons and look to the sky, waiting for the sun to rise. The music playing in the background is a soft, solemn piece with a subtle drum beat that conveys the moment's tension. It is a melancholic and haunting piece that reminds us of the dangers and struggles of war and the courage of these women to fight for their freedom. The scene and music set the stage for the emotional journey as the characters fight for their beliefs and the freedom they seek. The music in the scene creates a unique atmosphere of tension and anticipation as the women prepare for battle. It is a delicate balance of sorrow and courage, a reminder of the sacrifices they will make for their cause. The low tones of the cello and the steady beat of the drums evoke a sense of foreboding, yet the strings and piano give hope that these women will survive and succeed. There is a feeling of strength and unity as the music builds in intensity, reflecting the women's courage and commitment to their cause. The music in this scene is both inspiring and heartbreaking, a perfect example of how music can evoke emotion and drama in a story (Prince-Bythewood et al., 2022).

Reference

Prince-Bythewood, G., Stevens, D., Bello, M., Davis, V., Mbedu, T., & Lynch, L. (2022, September 16). The Woman King. IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8093700/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

Semester Project: Movie Soundtrack Analysis: Part 1

First, you need to choose a movie and specific scene to analyze. Write a one-paragraph description of the movie scene and briefly describe the music being played. Make sure to describe a scene that is appropriate for ALL audiences. This will need to be submitted for approval prior to starting the remainder of the project. If the scene or music is available on the Internet, please provide the web link. You can often find information about movies and music on Internet sites like  IMDB  and  Soundtrack Info . 

This approval paragraph is worth  20 points.

Semester Project: Movie Soundtrack Analysis: Part 2- Introduction

After you have received approval to analyze a specific movie scene, you can begin the first part of your brochure, presentation, or paper. Describe in detail the movie scene, including the action, dialogue, scenery, mood, etc. Also briefly describe the music. Include the name of the song and artist if applicable. 

Be sure to identify the movie you are watching as well! (25 points)

Semester Project: Movie Soundtrack Analysis: Part 3- Basic Elements of Music

During this part of the project you need to analyze the music playing during your chosen movie scene based on its basic musical elements which you learned about in the Basic Elements Unit. You should include information on at least five of the musical elements, such as: rhythm, meter, melody, harmony, range, form, tempo, dynamics, articulation, etc. 

Use the vocabulary you learned while studying the Basic Elements Unit.  (25 points)

Semester Project: Movie Soundtrack Analysis: Part 4 - Music Time Periods

Now analyze the music based on the time period it was written, OR the time period it was written to sound like. Use the information you learned in the Music Time Periods Unit to determine what time period the piece is from. Also briefly describe the historical time period of the movie scene. 

For this part of the project you may have to do some additional research about the specific piece of music playing during your scene. (25 points)

Semester Project: Movie Soundtrack Analysis: Part 5- Instrumentation

Using what you learned in the Musical Instruments Unit, describe the instruments/voices that are being used to play the music. Which instruments/voices are playing the melody? Which play the harmony and/or accompaniment? You may also include information about the specific performers if that information is known. 

This is another area where you may find additional research on the piece of music to be helpful. (25 points)

Semester Project: Movie Soundtrack Analysis: Part 6- Evaluation

For the final part of this project you need to evaluate the piece of music and determine what made it an effective choice (or not) for this particular scene. How do the musical elements, the historical time period, and the instruments playing the music correspond to what is happening in the movie? Why do you think that particular piece of music was chosen, and is it effective in this scene of the movie? If you don’t feel the piece of music is effective, what changes would you make? 

Throughout this portion of the project you should be as specific as possible. (50 points)

Project Objectives

After completing this project, you will be able to demonstrate your understanding of music by:

1. Evaluating a piece based on its basic musical elements.

2. Evaluating a piece based on the time period it was written or the time period it was written to portray.

3. Evaluating a piece based on the instruments/voices performing.

4. Evaluating the effectiveness of a piece of music being used in a movie soundtrack.

For this project you will have the option of creating a brochure, slideshow presentation, or written report including all necessary information. It is best to be creative and to be as original as possible. However, it is important that you do not focus on having the prettiest graphics; having the best content will get you the higher grade.