ABSTRACT
This chapter helps composers for silent film analyze and understand a particular film they may consider tackling. It looks at approaches from cinema studies, including formalist readings and apparatus theory, and the significance of cultural context, and how composers can apply these approaches when studying a film. This chapter shows how composers can focus on and draw on cinematic elements such as subplots, character identities, character arcs, and locations. It highlights opportunities created by background sounds, environmental sounds, and even offscreen sound in silent film. This chapter discusses spotting, scene divisions, and identifying important tentpole sequences. Budgeting and rights are addressed as part of things to consider in selecting and preparing a film.
