The placement of pop songs in film as promotion: The PRINCE of Egypt—a mini-case study

Authors

  • Dean Diehl College of Charleston

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18533/journal.v1i3.32

Keywords:

Film Music, Film Scores, Soundtracks, Pop Music, Movie Music, Scores, Music in Film, Product Placement in Films

Abstract

From humble origins as a masking sound for the clicking and clacking of early film projectors to epic masterpieces by masterful artists such as John Williams and James Horner, the use of music in film has evolved over time. This paper briefly examines the impact of the consolidation of entertainment companies into massive media giants covering film, television, video games and record labels on the use of music in film. As these media conglomerates seek to create synergy between their various divisions there is an ever-increasing potential for the aesthetic use of music in the creation of an aural atmosphere within which film makers tell their story to be compromised by the intentional introduction of songs for the purpose of increasing exposure and licensing income for priority artists. The paper includes an examination of the use of pop music in the marketing of the DreamWorks film PRINCE of Egyptas an illustrating case based on the author’s personal experience as the General Manager of a record label involved in the process.

Author Biography

  • Dean Diehl, College of Charleston
    Dean Diehl is the Director of the Music Business program at Trevecca Nazarene University.  Diehl spent 18 years in the music industry in various roles including General Manager of Reunion Records and Sr. Vice President of Marketing for Provident Label Group.  During that time he worked with artists such as Michael W. Smith, Third Day, Casting Crowns and Bob Carlisle.  In 2008, Diehl resigned from his position in order to pursue a career in higher education.  In 2011 Diehl received his Masters in Business Administration from Middle Tennessee State University where he received the “2011 Outstanding MBA Graduate” award.

References

Chihara, P. (n.d.). From Scene to Shining Screen: A Short History of Film Music. Retrieved October 15, 2010, from

AmericanComposers.com.

Cohen, A. (2001). Music as a Source of Emotion in Film. In J. P. (Ed.), Music and Emotion: Theory and Research

(pp. 249-272). New York, NY: Oxford University Press USA.

Facts & Figures: Key Statistics. (2010, November 23). Retrieved November 23, 2010, from RIAA.com:

http://www.riaa.com/keystatistics.php

Hemmings, T. (2010, October 30). President, Provident Music Group. (D. Diehl, Interviewer)

Holbrook, M. (2003). A Book Review Essay on the Role of Ambi-Diegetic Film Music in the Product Design of

Hollywood Movies: Macro marketing in La-La-Land. Consumption, Markets and Culture , 6 (3), 207-230.

Hyman, N. (2010, August 31). Ranked: Music Video Directors turned Film Directors. Retrieved November 23,

, from Metacritic.com: http://features.metacritic.com/features/2010/music-video-directors-turned-film-directors/

Inglis, I. (2007). Popular Music History on Screen: The Pop/Rock Biopic. Popular Music History , 2 (1), 77-93.

Langkjaer, B. (2002). Casablanca and Popular Music as Film Music. P.O.V. , 14, 62-74.

Lipscomb, S., & Tolchinsky, D. (2005). The Role of Music Communication in Cinema. In D. Miell, R. Macdonald, &

D. Hargreaves, Musical Communication (pp. 383-404). New York, NY: Oxford University Press USA.

Nilsen, R. (2008, May 3). Music's Starring Role in Films. The Arizona Republic .

Noes, D. (2010, October 20). Vice President, Integra Interactive. (D. Diehl, Interviewer)

Peterson, J. (1999, September). A Brief History of Film Music. Retrieved October 2010, from Mfiles.com.

Rothstein, E. (1991, November 10). Film View; Need More Humor or Horror? Add Music--Very Carefully. New

York Times .

Smith, J. (2000). That Money-Making "Moon River" Sound: Thematic Organization and Orchestration in the Film

Music of Henry Mancini. In J. Buhler, C. Flinn, & D. Neumeyer, Music and Cinema (pp. 247-271). Hanover, NH: Wesleyan University Press.

Soundscan, N. (n.d.). The Prince of Egypt Soundtrack LTD Sales Report. Retrieved November 18, 2010, from

Nielsen Soundscan.

Southard, B. (2005). Pop Music In British Cinema. Journal of Popular Film & Television , 33 (3), 173.

Spande, R. (2009, July). The Three Regimes: A Theory of Film Music. Retrieved October 2010, from

RobertSpande.com.

Taylor, C. (1998, February). Tale of "Hearts" Voyage to the Top: Fate of Dion's Smash Wasn't Always Certain.

Billboard Magazine , p. 73.

The Prince of Egypt Box Office Results. (n.d.). Retrieved November 18, 2010, from Box Office Mojo.

Downloads

Issue

Section

Article

Similar Articles

1-10 of 134

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.