Aggie's Music

I usually blab about film scores on this blog, but I don't mind the occasional tangent towards other interests. :)

Thursday, September 27, 2007

German Expressionism

This week, in my Film History class, we have been learning about German Expressionism in film. My God... I am SO interested in this movement now.


We watched The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (Robert Weine, 1920) and I was completely in awe with the buildings, windows and scenery. I find it ever so fascinating that, even after WWI, the rise of Hollywood, and the Treaty of Versailles, German filmmakers were still able to express themselves without others automatically identifying their films as Nazi propaganda. Just look at the detail in the pic above! Even the ceiling looks like it has a mind of its own! :P


What bothers me (you know.. just a TINY bit..) is the lack of information regarding film music during this movement. I mean... they must've had some accompaniment, right? This film was made in 1920... it was young, but definitely there. I'm currently reading Miguel Mera and David Burnand's "European Film Music". I finished reading the first chapter that had to deal with film music in Germany, but only during 1927-1945, so it's practically all about Nazi propaganda. Not one thing about expressionism, which developed in the early 20s.


Hmm.. yah, that actually bugs me quite a bit. BUUUUT....


I'm going to borrow Metropolis from the library and watch it during (Canadian) Thanksgiving!! Yay! I hear Gottfried Huppertz's score is mind-blowing. :)

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Back to school!

COFFEE!!!!!! I've gotten into the habit of drinking coffee on my most dreadful day of the week... Wednesdays. Why hump day? I have SEVEN courses on the day. Yikes! It's because I took Film History as a non-music elective. My father suggested I drop it, and it would've made my term a bit easier, but honestly... the stress is worth it. Because I want to be a film composer, I have decided to take as many film studies courses as possible... I want to learn as MUCH about the history of film (beginning to now) as I can. It fascinates me so... almost as much as music (but not quite there!). The other film course I'm taking is Hitchcock and Modernity, which I find interesting because we are looking at not only Hitchcock's popular works, but also at his very early works.. before he moved to Amerrr-i-ca! All of this is amazing.

I just wanted to blab since I haven't posted on here in so long. Hmmm.. what else can I talk about...


I LOOOOOOVE THE MARX BROTHERS!! They made my summer very enjoyable. I watched a LOT of early films during my summer break, and the first Marx Brothers film I came across was 'A Night at the Opera'. It was the first film that I borrowed that centered around comedy, so I was quite surprised at its liveliness. Jokes were told here and there.. I almost couldn't keep up! It got me interested, and I watched a few more... the most recent I saw was 'Monkey Business' which had me on the floor. I'm going to save up some money to buy this -->> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002MHDYW/ref=wl_it_dp/102-3849476-1368960?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1CYGK29FBJ8Z2&colid=SMLA43BWOL1G <<-- because it's so damn worth it. Also, I recently learned how to compose for Harp, so Harpo's instrument solo is always a pleasure to watch.. he uses a lot of extended techniques! :D