In preparing the underscoring for my dramatised adaptation of Thicker Than Blood, I have explored the concept of leitmotif and its role in enhancing narrative through music. Drawing from both prior experience and academic research, I aim to use leitmotifs to deepen emotional resonance and strengthen thematic elements in my final project.
The Role of Music in Film and Storytelling
Music has long been a vital element in film, even though it originally arose out of necessity; masking projector noise during silent films or adding emotional context where dialogue was absent (Gorbman, 1980). Over time, music has become an essential tool for conveying emotions and enhancing storytelling. As Green (2010) notes, music can influence how the audience interprets a scene, guiding emotional responses and suggesting characters’ inner thoughts and psychological states.
Additionally, music serves to “suspend reality” (Green, 2010), helping immerse the audience in the story’s world, much like the opening scores of dramatised adaptation audiobooks such as Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, where dramatic music establishes tone before the narrative begins. This ability of music to introduce the emotional landscape before verbal storytelling takes place is a powerful tool.
The Leitmotif: A Symbolic Narrative Device
The leitmotif, a recurring musical theme linked to a character, emotion, or idea, originated in Wagner’s operas but can be traced to earlier composers like Mozart. Hacohen and Wagner (1997) describe Wagner’s leitmotifs as “compact, discrete musical units charged with extramusical meaning,” giving each motif thematic depth. These motifs allow for subtle narrative development, conveying emotions and ideas that might be difficult to express with words alone (Abraham, 1925).
The use of leitmotifs in film works similarly, with motifs evolving to reflect characters’ emotional journeys. As Green (2010) explains, repeated motifs become associated with specific characters or themes, helping the audience form a deeper emotional connection to the story. In this way, music serves as a shorthand for emotional or narrative development, guiding the viewer’s perception.
The Psychological and Emotional Power of Leitmotifs
Leitmotifs’ psychological impact is significant. Repeated musical phrases subtly evoke emotions, signaling character transformations and thematic shifts without overt exposition. For example, in Star Wars, John Williams uses leitmotifs like the “Imperial March” to signal Darth Vader’s presence and power, reinforcing the psychological tension of the narrative.
In my own work, I plan to use leitmotifs to anchor the emotional love and hate core of Thicker Than Blood. These motifs will evolve alongside characters, mirroring their struggles and growth, while deepening the audience’s emotional engagement with the narrative.
Conclusion
Incorporating leitmotifs into the underscoring of Thicker Than Blood will be a key element in my musical storytelling. Drawing on the traditions of Wagner and modern film scores, I will use repeated, evolving motifs to deepen emotional resonance and reinforce thematic elements. This technique will allow the music to become an integral part of the narrative, enhancing both the story’s impact and its emotional depth and complexity. Ultimately, the power of leitmotifs lies in their ability to shape perception, evoke emotion, and create a lasting connection with the audience.
Bibliography
Abraham, G.E.H. (1925). The Leit-Motif Since Wagner. Music & Letters, [online] 6(2), pp.175–190. doi:https://doi.org/10.2307/726097.
Gorbman, C. (1980). Narrative Film Music. Yale French Studies, [online] (60), pp.183–203. doi:https://doi.org/10.2307/2930011.
Green, J. (2010). Understanding the score: Film music communicating to and influencing the audience. The Journal of Aesthetic Education, [online] 44(4), pp.81–94. doi:https://doi.org/10.5406/jaesteduc.44.4.0081.
Hacohen, R. and Wagner, N. (1997). The Communicative Force of Wagner’s Leitmotifs: Complementary Relationships between Their Connotations and Denotations. Music Perception: An Interdisciplinary Journal, [online] 14(4), pp.445–475. doi:https://doi.org/10.2307/40285733.