Using stock music in film can be limiting for several reasons, particularly when compared to having a composer create original music that is tailored specifically for the project. I have used it, yet I understand the principles of synchrony. There are moments you certainly would not want to use it. Let's go over it. I have composed my own music, yet I don''t have a musical bone in my body. It was all off of feel...
I did do production work in Hip Hop back in the early 90s in a studio in Bronx producing R&B.
Here are some reasons why stock music may not always be functional for film:
Lack of Customization: Stock music is pre-made and may not perfectly fit the mood, tone, or pacing of a particular scene. It lacks the ability to be customized to match the specific emotions, dynamics, or narrative beats of the film.
Generic Sound: Stock music is often designed to be versatile and usable in a wide range of projects. As a result, it can sound generic or uninspired, lacking the unique character and personality that custom-composed music can provide.
Limited Options: While there is a vast library of stock music available, the options may still be limited compared to the creative possibilities that come with original composition. With a composer, filmmakers have the opportunity to explore a wider range of musical styles, instrumentation, and techniques to find the perfect fit for their project.
Lack of Synchronicity: Stock music is not composed specifically for the rhythm, pacing, and choreography of the film's visual elements. When a composer creates music tailored to the movement and dynamics of the scenes, it enhances the overall synchronicity and immersion of the audience, much like dance choreography with perfect synchrony.
Originality and Uniqueness: Original music composed for a film adds a layer of originality and uniqueness to the project. It becomes an integral part of the storytelling process, complementing the visuals and enhancing the audience's emotional engagement with the film in a way that stock music often cannot replicate.
Creative Collaboration: Working with a composer allows for creative collaboration between the filmmaker and the musician. This collaboration can lead to a deeper understanding of the film's themes, characters, and narrative arc, resulting in music that is truly integrated into the fabric of the film.
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These are excellent points you make.
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100% spot on. Thank you so much for sharing Mario Leone !
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i absolutely agree with you. Stock pictures and stock music really starts to annoy me and could really result in disliking the video or movie
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Good points about stock music. What I wonder, as I play game apps with stunning soundtracks, apparently programmed by developers with no musical background or training, is how do sound libraries not fit in with stock or canned music? For instance, EastWest is touting various applications that use sound libraries of real instruments to generate incredibly polished orchestrations and even melodies using little more than a mouse and a few key clicks. Kind of like, enter a few parameters, and then, out pops a soundtrack. What got me looking into this was a spam that reads:
Blah blah Orchestrator RPG Expansion Pack... blah blah specifically designed for RPG video game soundtracks. Blah blah everything from environmental and boss fight music to character themes, these presets will allow you to "compose" any RPG game soundtrack in seconds.
The inverted commas around "compose" are my own. This isn't the only company offering software that literally "composes" soundtracks like a cook bakes a cake. And this doesn't appear to be AI driven software.
I feel kind of cheated when I have been moved by the soundtrack to a game or film, only to find it was dialed up by a developer using software that starts out by offering her/him the option of choosing styles based on real composers.
Is this canned music?