ANH 2: Baby Force Theme (Minutes 6-10)

Star Wars Music Minute

First Darth Vader appearance in all of Star Wars. First Force theme appearance in all of Star Wars (but it's different than we expect). First stun gun. First droids on Tatooine... Element7 (Pep) joins me in a discussion about the music & sound in minutes 6-10 of Star Wars!

Discussion Highlights:

• 0:00:00 - Introduction
• 0:03:45 - Start talking about the minutes
• 0:06:15 - Is scoring done chronologically?
• 0:10:43 - First instance of the Force theme, but some notes are missing
• 0:11:52 - Discussion on score vs. lore
• 0:15:27 - Our introduction to C-3PO, R2-D2, and their sound/language
• 0:18:03 - Underscore and the relative softness of the music in the mix
• 0:22:00 - Darth Vader without the Imperial March
• 0:33:12 - Seamless transitions in and out of music, like an airport conveyer belt
• 0:35:00 - How this choreography and set feels like a black box theater
• 0:40:24 - The first stun gun moment in Star Wars
• 0:41:28 - How does loud, prominent music make us feel as opposed to softer or background music?
• 0:46:30 - Launching from the escape pod, and the music says "this is where it all begins"
• 0:48:30 - Star Wars through Threepio's eyes
• 0:53:50 - The cadence of James Earl Jones's voice
• 0:56:30 - pressurized doors in Star Wars
• 0:59:30 - The desolate soundscape of Tatooine
• 1:07:10 - What is music?
• 1:10:12 - SWMM questionnaire
• 1:18:15 - Goodbyes

Themes Referenced:

• 4. Leia
• 5. Death Star
• 6a. Imperials (Motif)
• 6b. Imperials (Ostinato)
• 6) Planetary Descent Figure
• Set Piece Motif: Escape Hatch

References:

• Complete Catalogue of the Musical Themes of Star Wars (Frank Lehman): https://franklehman.com/starwars/
• Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Ballet (Arabian Dance): https://youtu.be/kI4HTzXPzgE
• Star Wars Minute 6: The Spice Mines of Kessel: http://www.starwarsminute.com/2013/06/10/minute-6-the-spice-mines-of-kessel/

STAR WARS MUSIC MINUTE QUESTIONNAIRE:

1. In exactly 3 words, what does Star Wars sound like?

• Beyond the horizon

2. What's something related to Star Wars music or sound that you want to learn more about?

• Lightsaber sounds

3. What's a score or soundtrack you're fond of besides anything Star Wars?

• The Last Samurai (composed by Hans Zimmer)

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Xanthe:

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