Narrative Visual Perspective in English

Lyrical Essay

For the Listener Lyric Unit we were tasked with making a lyrical essay of our choosing that we would research and cite. I enjoyed this project despite the fact that I didn’t create a production piece because of the chances I was given to study something that pertains to the world on my own. Although, the project didn’t need to be serious in any sense, and it could’ve been based upon something as trivial, as what’s better: Narwhals or Killer Whales.

Hearing a World

One of the most important aspects of any film or game is the soundtrack. From horror films, or expansive adventure games, there’s an empty feeling that is apparent without any music. They would be utterly devoid of emotion, the whole amount of effort put into making a soundtrack is well worth the expense.

Music may be even more important than the visual aspects of a game, setting the mood before and after a dramatic event, or a title screen. Horror films and games simply aren’t scary with the sound turned off. The power of the music from any game or movie is impactful and will likely stay with me for the rest of my life in the form of nostalgia.

A sort of sadness, similar to a friend long gone.

Although there’s joy in remembering the worlds that we had been entranced and pulled into. Sucked somewhere else, alongside Harry Potter, or Indiana Jones, with them during their adventure. 

Something that sticks with me, forever and always, is the original soundtrack of the game Minecraft, one of the first MMO’s I played with my friends. Even making new ones online from across the globe. The Minecraft soundtrack is mostly serene, giving you the feeling that you’re safe to explore a world of your own. Most of the soundtrack was composed by C418. This is also why it is so memorable, the nostalgia from the game being that of a very old friend.

The sounds of the world are completely different from sound effects, controlling mood rather than controlling the continued belief in the world.

Akin to how I believed that I could explore my own blocky world, 

by myself, 

creating and destroying how I please. 

Exploring pyramids, temples, villages, and shipwrecks. Having a game develop and change, but continually sound the same- 

Growing on me throughout my childhood, being a very important part of my life.

Continuing to stick with me, even when I stop playing, the world is the same that I was introduced to many years earlier, almost frozen in time.

It saddens me to think of the friends from that game, man’s best friend, sitting and waiting for me to return, when I never will. Having fought angry mobs, explored, and built a home together, my dog still sits- in Minecraft, waiting.

The big difference between the soundtracks of a game and film, making game soundtracks better to work to, is the idea that there is interactivity in mind. You are drawing the player into your world, however you don’t want them to be drowning in your music. They still have to be able to move around and explore the environment without being overtly distracted.

Video games aren’t largely considered a part of the formal arts by the orthodox public, despite all the different aspects of storytelling and creative expression in the visual and sound effects.

This should be changed because of the impact that music makes upon the world, and the music of games and movies are some of the most tangible parts of my childhood. Never quite being able to recreate the true gaming experience or relive the same impact a movie had on me.

But the music remains the same, and gives me the same feeling, no matter my age.

Bibliography

Bryonie, and Gentlepunk. “The History and Power of Soundtracks.” Tracks & Fields Blog, 1 Oct. 2019, www.tracksandfields.com/blog/2016/02/10/history-power-soundtracks/.

In the History and Power of Soundtracks, they talk about the different ways and give examples of how soundtracks in movies help guide the viewer’s emotion. I used this to think up my own examples in games and movies, as well as listening to specific pieces of music referenced.

Leigh, Megan. “The Importance of a Good Soundtrack: The Mood Is in the Music.” Pop Verse, 3 Apr. 2014, pop-verse.com/2014/04/04/the-importance-of-a-good-soundtrack-the-mood-is-in-the-music/.

Gave important insight as to how the industries got their own soundtracks. Lead me to further research Minecrafts soundtrack, seeing who the composer is, and whether or not they had been commissioned to create the music or if they were merely picked. Further talks about the importance of music to set the mood within a world.

McLaughlin, Author: Dillon, and Dillon McLaughlin. “The Surprising Reason You Should Listen to Video Game Soundtracks at Work.” Cool Material, 19 Sept. 2018, coolmaterial.com/media/the-surprising-reason-you-should-listen-to-video-game-soundtracks-at-work/.

Soundtracks are actually very different from movies, the source tells us that because games are created with progress in mind. You’re meant to be able to work and explore, solve puzzles and problems without being too distracted by the music. This is important to keep in mind because it is the major distinction between games and movies.

“Music.” Minecraft Wiki, 17 Dec. 2020, 21:33, minecraft.gamepedia.com/Music.

A source that talks of all the songs used within the game, the composers, and history and background about them. Gave information about the albums released, and how only some music was implemented into the game.

Pascholatti, Lucas, et al. “The Importance of Videogame Soundtracks to Arts.” Diggit Magazine, 5 Jan. 2018, www.diggitmagazine.com/articles/importance-videogame-soundtracks-arts.

Informs us that video games are largely not considered an orthodox art. As well as devling on the history behind video games and EDM music. As well as telling us the powers of nostalgia that many games may have over us.

“What Makes a Great Movie Soundtrack?” Cambridge Audio, 13 Sept. 2017, www.cambridgeaudio.com/usa/en/blog/what-makes-great-movie-soundtrack.

Cambridge audio talked about what it takes to make a soundtrack and the composition of one. How it does such a significant job on making the film or game more immersive. It’s an investment worth taking and does a lot more for a film, despite the time and effort necessary to do so.

Intention Statement

Hearing a World is a lyrical essay about the importance of soundtracks in games and movies. I chose to write this essay from my own perspective, and in relation to my childhood because movies and games have always been a significant part of my activities. I really enjoyed the freedoms of writing style that I was given, allowing me to hop around and make purposeful indents as I pleased. I tried to write in the poetic styles we were given in class, but I was mostly driven by my own experiences and connections to write as if I was telling a story. My own story, just in my own way.