Lecture on Film Music and "Inside Out"

Key Concepts in Film Music

• Film music is part of the greater whole of the film.
• Analyzing film music requires a holistic approach.
• Music in films can be analyzed both in isolation and in the context of the film.

Analyzing Film Music: "Inside Out"

• Film Structure: Built around a three-act structure.
  • Act 1: Uprooting of Riley's family.
  • Act 2: Joy trapped in the memory dump.
  • Act 3: Return home for Joy and Riley.
• Graphical Analysis: Plot key narrative moments on a linear scale to understand structure.

Music and Silence in "Inside Out"

• Significant periods of silence (diegetic silence) highlight emotional clarity.
• Silence amplifies the importance of moments when music is present.
  • Used for comic and dramatic effect.

Michael Giacchino's Score

• Primary Themes:
  • Main Theme (Joy's music)
  • Secondary Theme
  • Sadness's Theme
• Main Theme:
  • Limited use of melody (4.5 minutes in 85 minutes of music).
  • Use of major 7th chords.
  • Tonal journey: G major -> F sharp major -> C major -> A major -> returns to G major.
• Secondary and Sadness's Themes:
  • Provide emotional weight.
  • Secondary Theme: Used in Act 1 for happy moments, contrasts when Joy is far from home.
  • Sadness's Theme: Significant in Act 1, develops throughout the film.

Emotional and Narrative Interplay

• Sadness's Theme becomes crucial to the narrative, representing the importance of sadness in happiness.
• Sadness is portrayed not as emptiness but as a precursor to joy.

Conclusion

• The combination of film and score enhances the story and characters.
• Visual and musical interplay creates a more vivid narrative.
• Acknowledgment to Andrew Simmons for his research and graphics on "Inside Out".

Additional Resources

• Recommended reading of Andrew Simmons's full article on "Inside Out".
• Further content available on Patreon and video essays linked in the description.