How's Your Tonal Execution?

[JustDave]

First the definition: Tonal execution in film refers to the way filmmakers convey the emotional tone of a scene through various techniques, such as lighting, music, and camera angles. It shapes the audience's perception and emotional response, enhancing the overall storytelling experience. It also applies to music and art.

This is a new thing movie critics are addressing, probably because they're tired of the other things they have trashed to death. I've been running into the expression more and more lately. I did mostly figure out what it is, but it sounded so pretentious that I figured there had to be more to it, so I looked it up. No it's basically what I thought. I can understand writing and music, but Art??? When I read a movie review, I'm just trying to get a feel for whether I should spend my money on it at the theater. It's not like I'm going to ask, "OK you like the film, and you thought it was a good story, but how was the tonal execution?

It sounds like an odd thing to focus on. Mostly, it's something we intuitively or unconsciously pick up, and I'm guessing it's taught in drama courses. I'm thinking critics have latched on because they've run out of things to talk about.

 

[Paco Dennis]

I rather like the phrase and am glad that film critics are including "tonal expression".

Being a musician I have changed a hard rock and roll song, to a danceable tune for a country audience. Tonal expression. If the artist is not interested in expressing their tonal for the art piece they are making, well, that is the tonal expression=none.

I also relate to what u said. Enough analysis for a movie? I just want to watch it.

 

[Oldeagle66]

Well, I can pretty much figure out the direction a movie is headed by the location, or pick out the killer early in a mystery by the camera angles if that's what you mean.

 

[IrishEyes]

First the definition: Tonal execution in film refers to the way filmmakers convey the emotional tone of a scene through various techniques, such as lighting, music, and camera angles. It shapes the audience's perception and emotional response, enhancing the overall storytelling experience. It also applies to music and art.

This is a new thing movie critics are addressing, probably because they're tired of the other things they have trashed to death. I've been running into the expression more and more lately. I did mostly figure out what it is, but it sounded so pretentious that I figured there had to be more to it, so I looked it up. No it's basically what I thought. I can understand writing and music, but Art??? When I read a movie review, I'm just trying to get a feel for whether I should spend my money on it at the theater. It's not like I'm going to ask, "OK you like the film, and you thought it was a good story, but how was the tonal execution?

It sounds like an odd thing to focus on. Mostly, it's something we intuitively or unconsciously pick up, and I'm guessing it's taught in drama courses. I'm thinking critics have latched on because they've run out of things to talk about.

I do notice the background music in any filmed piece when it's present. I even have favorite writers for film composing, especially
period piece films. Bear McCreary being one, To take all the emotions of a scene and write music to enhance it is amazing to me
how well he does it. How many pieces does one have to compose for a multi season series? He even uses the original instruments for that music to make it more authentic. Outlanders series as well as Black Sails series are two I have even just listened to the soundtracks of for the love of the music. Here is a list of his most current scores. I know many of you have seen some of these, how many actually know and admire his talent? For me the music enhances it and I just love music of a wide variety,

 

[MACKTEXAS]

I've somehow missed those conversations or shifts in critics' focus. To me, no tonal execution can make a bad story good, but the right music and lighting can certainly make a good story better. These effects are especially important in suspense scenes and deeply emotional parts of a film, even down to the music that plays during the closing credits. I have actually gone out and bought certain music because it touched me deeply in some films.

 

[Oldeagle66]

I've somehow missed those conversations or shifts in critics' focus. To me, no tonal execution can make a bad story good, but the right music and lighting can certainly make a good story better. These effects are especially important in suspense scenes and deeply emotional parts of a film, even down to the music that plays during the closing credits. I have actually gone out and bought certain music because it touched me deeply in some films.

Some of the best music in a movie that really got me more interested is in 'Legend' with Tom Hardy where they put in 'Sissy Strut' by the Meters.

 

[JBR]

I think the term applies well to effects in painting, going back centuries. Like with this one by Rubens, "Old Woman and Boy with Candles"



And in movies, especially during and after the film noir of the 1940s and the early 1950s, the term could be applied to how direction, lighting, music and other elements were used.

 

[JustDave]

Music plays an important role in movie making. Mostly, I don't pay much attention to it, but I would guess it's still adding an effect that I experience.

 

[JustDave]

I think the term applies well to the effects in painting, going back centuries. Like with this one by Rubens, "Old Woman and Boy with Candles"

View attachment 460662

And in movies, especially during and after the film noir of the 1940s and not the early 1950s, the term could be applied to how direction, lighting, music and other elements were used.

I can understand tonal, but only if I redefine "tone" to apply it to a visual situation. I don't usually do that. It may just be me.

 

[JustDave]

Here. This helps (google):

What is Tone?​

Tone refers to the lightness or darkness of a color. It is determined by how much black or white is mixed into a pure hue. Tones are variations of a color from light to dark.

I guess I would have just called it a shade, But tone it can be.

 

[JBR]

Here. This helps (google):

What is Tone?​

Tone refers to the lightness or darkness of a color. It is determined by how much black or white is mixed into a pure hue. Tones are variations of a color from light to dark.

I guess I would have just called it a shade, But tone it can be.

I thought of another example of the use of the word. Like when someone says, "don't talk to me with that tone of voice." I don't know if you've heard that phrase, but I think it's fairly common.

But about the term "tone" applied to movies, where's @ChiroDoc when we need him?

 

[JustDave]

I thought of another example of the use of the word. Like when someone says, "don't talk to me with that tone of voice." I don't know if you've heard that phrase, but I think it's fairly common.

I'm very familiar with that kind of tone. I usually think of tones as being audible. But I'm adjusting to the artistic meaning now.

 

[Fritz]

Since there's so many horror movies and gruesome TV shows anymore tonal execution means jack to me.

 

[ChiroDoc]

Music plays an important role in movie making. Mostly, I don't pay much attention to it, but I would guess it's still adding an effect that I experience.

Good point. It reminds me of a comment by the great cinematographer, Roger Deakins, who said something to the effect that the job of the cinematographer is for his work not to be noticed.

There are certain scenes in film where the photography is so incredible that one does notice, and the same can be said about music scores.