# Film Score — Genre

> Music composed for film/TV. Serves narrative. Cinematic emotional support.

## Defining elements

- Serves the story (not standalone)
- Emotional / narrative-driven
- Variable length (cues from 30s to 10+ min)
- Mostly instrumental
- Synced to picture (when in film)
- Various tones (heroic, tender, tense, etc.)

## Sub-types

- **Symphonic score** — orchestral (John Williams)
- **Hybrid score** — orchestra + electronic (Hans Zimmer modern)
- **Electronic score** — synth-driven (Trent Reznor, Daniel Lopatin)
- **Minimal score** — sparse (Jonny Greenwood)
- **Period score** — era-appropriate
- **Source music (diegetic)** — music in the scene's world

## Typical instrumentation

Varies wildly by film:
- Orchestra (most common for big films)
- Solo piano (intimate films)
- Synth + orchestra (modern thrillers, sci-fi)
- Acoustic ensemble (indie films)
- World instruments (specific cultural films)

## Production characteristics

- Recorded to picture
- Mixed for cinema (Dolby Atmos)
- Wide dynamic range
- Multiple cues per film
- Theme + variations across film

## Composers / styles

- **John Williams** — symphonic adventure (Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter)
- **Hans Zimmer** — hybrid (Dark Knight, Inception, Dune)
- **Ennio Morricone** — wide range (Westerns, Cinema Paradiso)
- **Howard Shore** — Lord of the Rings symphonic
- **Trent Reznor + Atticus Ross** — modern electronic (Social Network)
- **Hildur Guðnadóttir** — chamber + electronic (Joker, Chernobyl)
- **Jonny Greenwood** — minimal classical (There Will Be Blood)
- **Joe Hisaishi** — Studio Ghibli emotional
- **Bernard Herrmann** — Hitchcock psychological

## For Suno

```
[Style: cinematic film score, 80 BPM, F# minor, hybrid orchestra (strings 
+ brass + percussion) + electronic elements (synth pads + processed bass), 
emotional and dramatic, wide dynamic range, no vocals, cinematic feel for 
thriller/drama]
```

## Tone examples

### Heroic
- Brass + powerful drums
- Major key
- Examples: Star Wars main theme

### Tender
- Piano + soft strings
- Major or relative minor
- Examples: "Schindler's List" main theme

### Tense
- String tremolos + low brass
- Minor / dissonant
- Examples: Psycho strings, Jaws theme

### Mysterious
- Synth pads + sparse percussion
- Examples: Blade Runner 2049

### Action
- Driving percussion + brass
- Fast tempo
- Examples: Mission Impossible theme

## Avoid

- Pop song format
- Vocal-led (unless specific scene)
- Hooks over emotion
- Generic mood