In many instances, film scores are performed by orchestras, which vary in size, from a small ensemble to a huge number of musicians, perhaps including a choir. The orchestra is either a studio orchestra, employed by the studio, or a performing orchestra such as the London Symphony Orchestra. For films with even smaller budgets, however, and possibly for TV or video games (although these, too, frequently have orchestral scores), a synthesiser can be used to re-create the sound of an orchestra. This is generally much cheaper, although the results are thought by many to be inferior.
A film composer is usually contacted after the film has been shot, and is shown an unpolished 'rough cut' of the film, and talks to the director about what sort of music should be used. He will then work on creating this music. Films often have different themes for important characters, events, ideas or objects, taking the idea from Wagner's use of leitmotif. These may be played in different variations depending on the situation they represent, scattered amongst incidental music.
When the music has been composed and orchestrated, it is then performed by the orchestra or ensemble, often with the composer conducting. The orchestra performs in front of a large screen depicting the movie, and sometimes a 'click-track' is used--a series of clicks which help the conductor to synchronise the orchestra's playing to the film.
A film's music might also include songs or other music not written specifically for the film (see Soundtrack)
Film score composers include:
- David Arnold: Independence Day, Stargate, Tomorrow Never Dies
- John Barry: several James Bond films, Dances With Wolves
- Roy Budd: Get Carter
- Aaron Copland
- Carl Davis
- Patrick Doyle
- Ludovico Einaudi
- Danny Elfman: The Simpsons (Theme), Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice, Batman
- Eliot Goldenthal: Frida
- Jerry Goldsmith: many Star Trek scores, both film and TV; Omen
- James Horner: Titanic, Legends of the Fall, Braveheart
- Maurice Jarre: Lawrence of Arabia
- Trevor Jones: Cliffhanger
- Michael Kamen: Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves, Band of Brothers (TV)
- Erich Wolfgang Korngold: The Sea Hawk, The Adventures of Robin Hood
- Michel Legrand: Les parapluies de Cherbourg
- Alfred Newman
- Thomas Newman: American Beauty
- Randy Newman
- Michael Nyman: The Piano
- Rachel Portman: The Cider House Rules, Emma
- Nino Rota: The Godfather, Romeo and Juliet, Otto e Mezzo
- Camille Saint-Saens, the first renowned classical composer to write for films
- Howard Shore: The Lord of the Rings
- Dmitri Shostakovitch
- Alan Silvestri: Back To The Future, Forrest Gump
- Max Steiner: Gone With the Wind, King Kong
- John Williams: Star Wars series, Schindler's List, Indiana Jones trilogy, Jaws, Harry Potter series
- Debbie Wiseman: Wilde
- Hans Zimmer: The Lion King, Gladiator, Crimson Tide, Hannibal
- A.R. Rahman: Roja, Rangeela, Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India
- Ilayaraja: Mouna Raagam, Hey Ram, Aboorva Sahodhargal
