Cliché Music

Jon Starr

Jon Starr

Veteran
We all know a cliché scene, cliché dialogue, cliché story, etc...

But what about cliché music? Not just sappy romance music in a romance scene, but in other contexts. I'm wondering what you all think is considered "cliché music", or over-used music, and in what context?

For me (in no particular order), first has to be "Requiem for a Dream" for pretty much anything, but especially trailers. It's been used for Two Towers, then exploded in indy trailers, or music videos by 13 year olds on youtube that think it makes anything look cool and epic.

Second has to be Duel of Fates for any Star Wars Fan Film. On http://theforce.net/fanfilms/ it has been criticized many times as every kid that's fighting with a lightsaber in their backyard or a forest (in bathrobes) seems to use this music piece.

What about you?
 
PK Gillock said:
The Sunshine Trailer also uses the Requiem music. But it works very well. :)

http://www.isara.org/component/option,com_seyret/Itemid,216/task,videodirectlink/id,15/
Click to expand...

Yeah it does. And for Sunshine and Two Towers I'll accept it, but when you don't know what you're doing, leave cliché music alone. I'm talking to those 13 year-old film makers.

Since everyone is linking their stuff, here:

Duel of Fates for anything Star Wars: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoQhsAX6vzI



I'm noticing a trend here though. It all seems to be "epic" music. What about other styles?
 
Jon Starr said:
I've heard it a few times. Perhaps used a lot, but I wouldn't consider it cliché. I might even use it for my trailer.

Do you consider it cliché?
Click to expand...

Absolutely - personally I feel it's been used to death.

Another one that I'm worried is in danger of being overused lately is Yo Yo Ma's awesome rendition of Bach's Cello Suite No. 1
It was in a Gatorade commercial for goodness sake.
:)

(granted, it was a damn well shot commercial)
 
Luis Caffesse said:
Absolutely - personally I feel it's been used to death.
Click to expand...

That's true. Not because you said it, but I listened to it again and you're right. I remember know dozens of videos using it...

Guess I'll scratch that from my trailer. :P

One song I'm noticing is getting a lot of use is "Mad World" the piano (non 80's) version from Donnie Darko.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ4yADbKA7E

Lots of videos on youtube, heard it for the gears of war commercial, and recently on the show "without a trace" (and it's probably been on CSI or some show one time or another).
 
Contrary to popular opinion, I like the Tears for Fears version of Mad World more than the slower one.

My dad loves TFF and I grew up listening to them.
 
Come to think of it, "Dead Already" isn't really in alot of movies, but it is second to "Walking on Sunshine" for amount of trailers it's in.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top