The Role of Music in Crafting an Engaging Documentary

Music plays a crucial role in filmmaking, especially in documentaries. While visuals and narration are fundamental to telling a story, music can elevate a documentary by adding depth, enhancing emotions, and reinforcing the themes being explored. Whether it’s a sweeping orchestral piece or a subtle background tune, music has the power to influence how an audience perceives and reacts to the narrative. In this blog, we’ll explore the role of music in documentaries and how it helps craft an engaging and impactful viewing experience.


Setting the Tone and Mood

One of the most significant functions of music in documentaries is its ability to set the tone and mood for a scene. From the first moments of a documentary, music can signal to the viewer what to expect emotionally. A somber, slow melody may prepare the audience for a tragic story, while an upbeat and energetic track can inject optimism and excitement into an uplifting narrative.

Take Won’t You Be My Neighbor? (2018), the documentary about beloved television personality Fred Rogers. The film’s soundtrack carefully balances emotional tones with soft piano pieces that evoke feelings of nostalgia, warmth, and compassion. These moments are integral in helping viewers connect with the story, making them feel invested in Rogers’ personal journey and the impact of his work on children and society.

In contrast, in documentaries like 13th (2016), which focuses on racial inequality and mass incarceration in the United States, the music choices are often intense, dramatic, and thought-provoking, amplifying the urgency and gravity of the issues discussed. Music, in this case, isn’t just a background element; it’s an active participant in shaping the viewer’s emotional reaction.


Evoking Emotion and Empathy

A powerful documentary is one that makes an emotional connection with its audience. Music plays a pivotal role in creating this connection by guiding the viewer’s emotional response. Through the right choice of soundtrack, a documentary can enhance empathy and compassion, making the viewer feel more personally involved in the subject matter.

In The Cove (2009), a documentary that highlights the brutal dolphin hunts in Japan, the music serves as an emotional cue to the harrowing footage of the hunts. The somber tones of the score build a sense of outrage, sadness, and empathy, encouraging the audience to reflect on the cruelty of the practice and spurring them into action.

Similarly, in Free Solo (2018), a documentary about rock climber Alex Honnold’s attempt to climb El Capitan without ropes, the music is carefully designed to heighten the tension and anxiety that builds as Honnold faces perilous moments. The music creates a suspenseful atmosphere, making the audience feel as though they are experiencing the climb with him, amplifying the emotional stakes of the journey.

The Role of Music in Crafting an Engaging Documentary
The Role of Music in Crafting an Engaging Documentary

Supporting the Narrative and Themes

Beyond setting the mood, music is an essential tool for supporting the documentary’s narrative and themes. It can underscore key moments in the story, highlight turning points, and emphasize important messages. Music can also help reinforce the documentary’s central ideas, providing a seamless connection between the visuals, narration, and subject matter.

For instance, in He Named Me Malala (2015), which tells the story of Malala Yousafzai, the music reflects the themes of bravery, education, and the fight for equality. The score uses a mix of traditional Pakistani instruments and modern orchestral elements to weave together Malala’s cultural heritage with the global significance of her activism. The music helps underline the global impact of her message while keeping the focus on her personal journey.

The music in The Social Dilemma (2020) is another example of how a documentary can use music to amplify its themes. Focusing on the dangers of social media and its impact on mental health, the film uses electronic and sometimes discordant sounds to emphasize the growing sense of chaos and instability created by the digital world. The music perfectly complements the fast-paced, anxiety-inducing visuals, giving the audience a visceral experience of the issues being discussed.


Music as a Narrative Tool

In some documentaries, music goes beyond supporting the tone or reinforcing themes – it becomes a key narrative device. This is especially true in films that focus on music itself or feature significant musical elements within the story.

Consider the documentary 20 Feet from Stardom (2013), which explores the lives of backup singers in the music industry. The music is integral to the documentary, serving not only as a backdrop but also as a central storytelling element. The singers’ voices, paired with the vibrant musical score, tell the stories of their struggles and triumphs within the music industry. The documentary would not be the same without the music – it is deeply tied to the narrative, offering the audience both emotional context and a deeper understanding of the subjects’ lives.


Music to Enhance the Pacing and Flow

Music is also used to manage the pacing of a documentary. A well-timed soundtrack can help transition between scenes, control the rhythm of the film, and maintain audience engagement. Upbeat tracks can quicken the pace, while slower, softer music can encourage reflection during more contemplative moments.

In Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011), a documentary about sushi master Jiro Ono, the music is minimalist and subtle, mirroring the simplicity and artistry of Jiro’s work. This simple score helps regulate the pace of the film, allowing the viewer to fully appreciate the beauty and precision of Jiro’s craft without distraction. The music enhances the contemplative nature of the documentary, making the slow, deliberate pace feel intentional and meditative.


Conclusion

Music is an integral component of documentary filmmaking, providing emotional depth, enhancing storytelling, and supporting the overall narrative. Whether subtle or dramatic, the right music can elevate a documentary from a simple retelling of facts to a moving and transformative experience. It helps set the tone, evoke empathy, reinforce themes, and create a rhythm that enhances the pacing. As we’ve seen in documentaries such as The Cove, Free Solo, and Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, the role of music goes far beyond being a passive background element – it is an active participant in shaping the audience’s emotional connection to the subject matter.

In the future, as documentary filmmaking continues to evolve, it’s clear that music will remain a powerful tool in capturing the hearts and minds of viewers, helping to craft films that resonate deeply and leave lasting impressions. Whether telling stories of human triumph or environmental crisis, music will continue to be the heartbeat of documentary filmmaking.