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The Sound of Music: Triggering Emotions in Films through Audio
Music is a great tool for stirring emotions and feelings in people. When it comes to videos and other audio-visual productions, it is an element that can multiply the creator’s message and engage viewers on a much deeper level. It’s something that helps get the message across more effectively.
Musical elements are used throughout a film or video because it sets the pace, triggers emotions, and gives viewers a better understanding of each scene.
Title Sequences
From the very first frame of a video onwards, the digital artist has already set the emotions and viewer attention span for the whole film. This is one of the reasons horror or thriller movies have title sequences that open with creepy, eerie music, while children’s movies open with a fun, catchy tune.
While some of these sounds are merely stock audio and background music, the overall feel and mood of the video is already set even before the story starts unfolding.

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Stock Audio
While silent films enjoyed their share of the limelight back in the day, many filmmakers, digital artists, and viewers see these movies as boring and dull. This is because the right audio adds to the viewer’s overall experience.
Think of Titanic without the sound of crashing waves or the screeching of the iceberg against metal, or consider watching Jaws without the famous violin musical score. The movie viewing experience would be lacking, if not completely absent.
By adding the sounds of the ocean, the viewer feels the anticipation and the excitement of crossing the ocean aboard a luxury cruise ship. The background violin score, meanwhile, is what drives viewers to the edge of their seats as the monster shark is about to attack.
Background Music and Theme Music
Many videos, whether it is a film or a basic video on YouTube, is driven by a soundtrack. This is because filmmakers and video editors know that aside from setting the tone and mood of the video with the title sequence, they also need to carry it out through the whole production. This is where the background and theme music come in.

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Think of the montage in Saving Private Ryan where only the sound of gunshots are heard or the many scenes in Titanic where only the sound of the flute playing “My Heart Will Go On” is heard. Subtle audio support often pushes the emotions of the viewers in the direction the filmmakers want, which is why background music is at the forefront of many films.
Videos, be it a film or a business clip, are audio-visual projects. While it’s true that images are what capture the viewers’ attention, it is the audio and music that moves them.
Resources:
http://www.motionelements.com/
http://www.upei.ca/%257emusicog/research/docs/musicsrcemotionfilm.pdf
http://psychcentral.com/lib/music-how-it-impacts-your-brain-emotions/00017356