The Essential TV Director's Handbook

10

The sound of music

 

There never was a silent cinema. From the beginning of motion pictures the audience felt uneasy with watching images in silence except for the clatter of a projector. The immediate answer was to have an accompanying pianist and then later a small musical ensemble. Before long entire pit orchestras were engaged and special scores circulated. The eve of the talkies was a golden age for the mighty Wurlitzer theatre organ which combined musical scores with a wondrous array of sound effects from horses hooves to slapsticks, church bells and gun shots. It is impossible to think of television devoid of music. Yet many a director and producer has come to devoutly wish it could be so. Dealing with music can be like trying to tap ...