What is Film Score Soundtrack?
Music in films represents a unique means of adding sound to the production. Such that it pulls together the overall tone and mood. In a way that helps people to feel connected and engaged with what they’re viewing on the screen. Various types of music, and the addition of accompaniments to a scene or moment as it plays out on the screen are described in film with terms like film score, and film soundtrack. Some might even use these two terms interchangeably. Although they really shouldn’t! So, what is film score & soundtrack? And what do these terms mean?
What is Film Score?
Film score is music that is created for a film and which accompanies the film. The film score is used to increase the emotional connection and aural mood of the film. Helping to add audible value to each scene or moment taking place within the film.
Film score is not pre-recorded music. It’s not a song you’ve heard before which happened to fit well within the scene. And it’s not a sound effect or other recorded tone that is worked in. It’s original!
The film score is often included in the film soundtrack. Thus when we look at answering the question “What is film score & soundtrack”? It’s best to provide an answer that outlines exactly how film score works. And how it can be included in a soundtrack.
Essentially, film score is the unique, original music that is produced for a film and the film soundtrack is a compilation of the film score, dialogue, and various songs that accompany a film but which may or may not have been recorded specifically for the film.
What is Film Soundtrack?
Film soundtrack represents the selection of various recorded songs that act as an accompaniment to a film. You might hear the term “Original Soundtrack” or OST referencing a soundtrack in film. Or you might just hear it described as a soundtrack.
Either way, a film soundtrack represents the musical selection of songs. Both original and pre-existing. Which either play during a film or which were recorded specifically for a film.
Difference Between Film Score & Soundtrack
So, what is film score & soundtrack and what’s the difference between the two? Well, the primary difference between the two is that soundtracks often feature music that was not recorded specifically for the film.
However, it still fits well within the underlying mood and tone of the film.
For Example
A soundtrack might include a pre-recorded song that we all know and love. But which came out decades before the film itself. Soundtracks may also feature various vocal snippets. Or character dialogue that took place in the most memorable moments of a film.
Likewise, film score is different from film soundtrack because film score represents original music that accompanies a film. Film score is never a song that came out decades before the film did and it’s not dialogue.
Film score is music that is produced for the film, written by a film composer and created specifically for the production.
Thus, film score can be included on a film’s soundtrack, but soundtrack is not the same as score. Score is original, unique music produced for the film and soundtrack is a compilation of film score, songs, dialogue and various music that accompanies a film.