You could make the argument that a movie’s soundtrack is just as crucial to telling the story as the actual screenplay. The score gives the audience cues for how, when, and what to feel. A good soundtrack can make a movie stand out — just like a bad soundtrack can ruin a movie. Marvel’s films are a good example of soundtracks that adhere to a reliable formula. The scores often go unnoticed, and audiences may not recall them later.
Choosing the style of score for your film is often a post-production decision, but you can also make this decision during principal filming (often referred to as Temp Music) based on previous scores. Whenever you determine the nature of your soundtrack, here are some inspiring examples of composers who have pushed the boundaries of cinematic storytelling.
Johan Johansson
This Icelandic composer has been behind some of the most talked-about movies of the last few years — in collaboration with Denis Villeneuve. His latest partnership with Villeneuve brought us the unnerving soundscapes for the Oscar-nominated film Arrival. His scores aren’t traditionally paced — nor is their placement in the film. They often include heavy string sections and pulsating percussion, finding new ways to serve the director’s vision. His upcoming work on the Blade Runner sequel will put his versatility to the test with a futuristic, synth-heavy score that (based on the trailers) sounds like another home run.
Mica Levi
One of the standout features of 2014’s stellar Under the Skin was the incredible, unnerving soundtrack. The score stuck with me, and Levi has continued to demonstrate true talent (having already nabbed an Oscar nomination). Her most recent work, Jackie, featured an epic orchestral sound while maintaining the tone of an intimate character study. Levi is currently a hot commodity, and her work continues to give her modern twist to classical-sounding scores.
Daniel Hart
Fresh off a recent hit from Sundance, Dallas native Daniel Hart has mainly worked alongside indie darling-turned-blockbuster-director David Lowery. His range goes from simple, small-town Texas-style strings to the grandiose scope of Pete’s Dragon. Hart continues to work with Lowery and has signed on for his next film, Old Man and the Gun.
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
One of the most groundbreaking soundtracks of the past decade was Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’s Oscar-winning masterpiece for The Social Network. Going up against heavyweights like Hans Zimmer‘s legendary Inception score was no easy task, but their unique sounds led the duo to a golden statue. The score complemented the pacing and dark undertones of Fincher’s film perfectly. Following the success of The Social Network, composers are still trying to replicate Reznor and Ross’s style and tone, thus sustaining the new wave of electro-heavy soundtracks.
Dustin O’ Halloran
You’ve probably heard O’Halloran’s work before — you just might not have realized it. Fresh off an Oscar nomination like Levi, O’Halloran has scored the entirety of Transparent and I Love Dick. Offering up some of the simplest-yet-most-heartbreakingly-cinematic pieces to date, O’Halloran specializes in understated scores. Soundtracks don’t always need to be over-the-top and in-your-face; rather, they can simply complement the footage, guiding the story frame by frame.
These composers’ refusal to stick with one style or form is why they keep landing stylistically challenging work with different directors. Some other composers to keep an eye on include Steven Price, Cliff Martinez, Shane Carruth, Geoff Barrow, and Michael Penn. If you’re ever in the position to choose the type of score — whether it’s electronic or classically based — to carry your video (even your commercial or corporate video), always think about the story and how the music can highlight its strengths.