I actually love how Powell does themes because it allows for a lot of interesting narrative flexibility. In Pan (2015), there's a tune that seemingly represents Neverland ("Floating / Neverland Ahoy!") but is also used whenever Peter's mother is talked about; we later find out that she and Peter's birth father the Fairy Prince were FROM Neverland, so in coming to Neverland Peter is actually returning to his roots. I speculate then that this "Neverland / Mother" theme specifically represents "Peter's Roots", even hitting its zenith near the end of the film in "Transfiguration" when Peter sees a vision of his mother, who (I'm reading off Wikipedia here, only watched the movie twice 🙃) "reaffirms him to be Neverland's savior: Peter Pan."
@jjstarA113 Absolutely! There’s a quote from him in the new book about how this approach allows him to use different themes as needed in different ways depending on what story he needs to tell.
Star Wars definitely suffers from that "character's theme must play when character walks in" problem, I can remember finding it distracting when it was clearly there just because it was "supposed to be"
It can be effective, but it can also be distracting (and unnecessary). John Powell definitely has some more interesting solutions. Thanks for checking out the video!
2 shows that are really bad for this, IMO are the Rings of Power and the Witcher. A lot of people love the music for Rings of Power, and I think it's nice music, but the issue you mention is really distracting Love your videos
Somehow in the thousands of times I've listened to the first movie's score, I've never noticed until now that the Hiccup/"Fun" Vikings Theme stops showing up halfway through 🤯
Reminds me of how in the series of Harry Potter movies, some of the most memorable melodies that Williams came up with in the first 3 films completely disappear within a few movies, which is a bit sad but also may fit the darkening tone of the films better. It's not like something as vital as Hedwig's theme is renounced entirely. But I also didn't really notice that some of these sounds were missing until someone pointed it out. You remember them so well it feels like they were there the whole time.
@randomcommenter7343 I know what you mean. The changing of directors and composers did sacrifice some of those themes, but they still feel very much a part of it all.
Could you possibly make a video just playing each theme/leitmotif in the trilogy and saying their name and a brief description of how they're used? I am having trouble keeping all of them straight in my head, and a high-level overview might be helpful to others too. Keep it up!
It would be pretty extensive! There are over 20 themes and motifs in the trilogy, which is probably too much for a single video. But I’m definitely making more and charting my way through. Edit: I may be able to work that into something, and I already have plans for a similar series of videos.
It’s probably the best thing for a comprehensive analysis of the scores, especially if you want to go deeper into music theory and technicalities beyond my understanding. It analyses influences on the score, every theme and motif, every cue from the trilogy, and contains a lot of exclusive interviews from John Powell. I recommend if it will be that useful for you.
For a composer that isn't fond of making specific character themes "whenever a character walks in", he did it pretty well in Solo in regards to Tobias Beckett. His motif is in every single scene he's in at least once.
But how do you know that's Beckett's Theme for sure? It can be hard to figure, but I try to consider alternatives. This is a leitmotif breakdown for Star Wars. Solo is included. It contains a "Secrets" motif that could be what you're referring to. franklehman.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Star-Wars-Thematic-Catalogue.pdf Edit: I see the confusion now, I was thinking of the wrong character. What you call Beckett's Theme is a theme for his gang. It's the group and the affiliation, not the character. As a side note, I find it pretty similar to the Warring Vikings Theme.
Amazing video I love that someone also take a look at genius of John Powell especially when it comes to HTTYD score wich is still my favorite score till this time thank You buddy and keep up the good work
@@FilmScoreandMore Well he worked with Hans Zimmer on two first Kung fu panda's he worked on "ice age" and of course "the shrek" but from more recent one "the call of the wild" wich I also loved :)
@@FilmScoreandMore Tbh I've always called the flying theme (the first half of it) hiccup's theme and the second part hiccup and toothless's theme, The motif we talked about in this video I was referring to it as the Viking theme (or the 1st theme of the people) and seeing this point of view about the fun theme being hiccup's theme doing Viking things actually makes total sense! I'm glad you made this video :) PS: I made a Mock-up of the track "Into the hole" from httyd 3 and I'd like if you check it out cuz I'm a BIG fan!!! (sorry for my bad English it isn't my native language)
@Alexander-h5o Yeah, there are three distinct Viking themes (with this being one of them), so it gets confusing. You can send me a link to that mockup if it’s online, or email it to me! Have you seen my analysis of Into The Hole? Also, you’re English is perfectly fine here.
@@FilmScoreandMore Of course I've seen your "into the hole" analysis, I've watched almost all of you videos! The Mock-up is in my channel (this account)
@@FilmScoreandMoreI think the reason I find your videos so interesting is that you explain an aspect (of my favorite soundtrack and music in general) in a very compact and simple way. With letting us hear parts of the soundtrack that you are talking about. And just talking about stuff that interests me soooo much that I didn’t know before. So thank you for that!
What would you call the theme that plays just prior to Hiccup meeting Toothless for the first time (in "The Downed Dragon," and reprised absolutely beautifully in the bonus track "The Vikings Have Their Tea")? I've always subconsciously considered that theme to belong to Hiccup
That one is “Viking Theme,” explained in detail in the second half of that original video. Powell also said he prefers scoring character arcs instead of characters, so a number of themes represent ideas of who he is and aspires to be at different times. ruclips.net/video/l3QpqPDiT2k/видео.htmlsi=ggPGeplZIv1-hNb-
Hello, I'm an enthusiast of movies soundtrack. I really think your videos help me a lot in understanding the concept of the music in the HTTYD. I'm a trumpet player in Marching Band and I'm dreaming of making my own music soon, your videos is one of my reference in learning music. For now my skill is not even close to make one. But I know one day I'll be able to finish my project. Btw, Can I suggest that you make a video about the Demon Slayer soundtracks? I think they got a pretty cool music. Thank you in advance
Great video, as always! There is another theme I would like to ask about that only occurs in HTTYD 2, and only occurs twice (to my knowledge): Hiccup the Chief and the end of Two New Alphas. Is there an official name for this theme? Seems like it plays during scenes that are related to Hiccup becoming chief.
Yes, I plan to cover that one eventually. It’s simply the Hiccup The Chief theme for exactly that purpose. Powell used it as an example of how he scores character arcs instead of characters. Listen for it when Hiccup leaves Berk in search of Drago in “Drago’s Coming” and when he confronts Eret in the following scene.
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
What do you think about John Powell's strategy of using themes? Would you have guessed this is Hiccup's Theme?
I actually love how Powell does themes because it allows for a lot of interesting narrative flexibility. In Pan (2015), there's a tune that seemingly represents Neverland ("Floating / Neverland Ahoy!") but is also used whenever Peter's mother is talked about; we later find out that she and Peter's birth father the Fairy Prince were FROM Neverland, so in coming to Neverland Peter is actually returning to his roots. I speculate then that this "Neverland / Mother" theme specifically represents "Peter's Roots", even hitting its zenith near the end of the film in "Transfiguration" when Peter sees a vision of his mother, who (I'm reading off Wikipedia here, only watched the movie twice 🙃) "reaffirms him to be Neverland's savior: Peter Pan."
@jjstarA113 Absolutely! There’s a quote from him in the new book about how this approach allows him to use different themes as needed in different ways depending on what story he needs to tell.
Star Wars definitely suffers from that "character's theme must play when character walks in" problem, I can remember finding it distracting when it was clearly there just because it was "supposed to be"
It can be effective, but it can also be distracting (and unnecessary). John Powell definitely has some more interesting solutions.
Thanks for checking out the video!
2 shows that are really bad for this, IMO are the Rings of Power and the Witcher. A lot of people love the music for Rings of Power, and I think it's nice music, but the issue you mention is really distracting
Love your videos
@JenksAnro I’ve also heard high praise for it, but I can imagine it gets old if it’s really musical character announcements.
Somehow in the thousands of times I've listened to the first movie's score, I've never noticed until now that the Hiccup/"Fun" Vikings Theme stops showing up halfway through 🤯
There are a lot of themes to keep track of! It’s very easy not to notice. I don’t think I noticed for a long time.
Reminds me of how in the series of Harry Potter movies, some of the most memorable melodies that Williams came up with in the first 3 films completely disappear within a few movies, which is a bit sad but also may fit the darkening tone of the films better. It's not like something as vital as Hedwig's theme is renounced entirely.
But I also didn't really notice that some of these sounds were missing until someone pointed it out. You remember them so well it feels like they were there the whole time.
@randomcommenter7343 I know what you mean. The changing of directors and composers did sacrifice some of those themes, but they still feel very much a part of it all.
Could you possibly make a video just playing each theme/leitmotif in the trilogy and saying their name and a brief description of how they're used? I am having trouble keeping all of them straight in my head, and a high-level overview might be helpful to others too. Keep it up!
It would be pretty extensive! There are over 20 themes and motifs in the trilogy, which is probably too much for a single video. But I’m definitely making more and charting my way through.
Edit: I may be able to work that into something, and I already have plans for a similar series of videos.
@@FilmScoreandMore Cool! Btw, do you like Heine's book overall? I'm considering buying a copy, interested to hear your thoughts.
It’s probably the best thing for a comprehensive analysis of the scores, especially if you want to go deeper into music theory and technicalities beyond my understanding. It analyses influences on the score, every theme and motif, every cue from the trilogy, and contains a lot of exclusive interviews from John Powell. I recommend if it will be that useful for you.
Yippee! There can never be enough videos dissecting HTTYD music.
I’m happy to hear that! Have you seen my others?
HTTYD vid detected, sub applied. Always a pleasure to find more music nerds talking about how amazing HTTYD’s music is.
Thanks for the sub! There are plenty more videos to check out on this channel! Have you seen the original video?
For a composer that isn't fond of making specific character themes "whenever a character walks in", he did it pretty well in Solo in regards to Tobias Beckett. His motif is in every single scene he's in at least once.
But how do you know that's Beckett's Theme for sure? It can be hard to figure, but I try to consider alternatives.
This is a leitmotif breakdown for Star Wars. Solo is included. It contains a "Secrets" motif that could be what you're referring to.
franklehman.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Star-Wars-Thematic-Catalogue.pdf
Edit: I see the confusion now, I was thinking of the wrong character. What you call Beckett's Theme is a theme for his gang. It's the group and the affiliation, not the character. As a side note, I find it pretty similar to the Warring Vikings Theme.
Amazing video I love that someone also take a look at genius of John Powell especially when it comes to HTTYD score wich is still my favorite score till this time thank You buddy and keep up the good work
Thanks, I’m glad to hear it! What other John Powell scores do you know?
@@FilmScoreandMore Well he worked with Hans Zimmer on two first Kung fu panda's he worked on "ice age" and of course "the shrek" but from more recent one "the call of the wild" wich I also loved :)
@tuteles The Call Of The Wild is one of my favorites!
Amazing video as always! Keep them coming!
Thanks! What was amazing about it?
@@FilmScoreandMore Tbh I've always called the flying theme (the first half of it) hiccup's theme and the second part hiccup and toothless's theme, The motif we talked about in this video I was referring to it as the Viking theme (or the 1st theme of the people) and seeing this point of view about the fun theme being hiccup's theme doing Viking things actually makes total sense!
I'm glad you made this video :)
PS: I made a Mock-up of the track "Into the hole" from httyd 3 and I'd like if you check it out cuz I'm a BIG fan!!!
(sorry for my bad English it isn't my native language)
@Alexander-h5o Yeah, there are three distinct Viking themes (with this being one of them), so it gets confusing.
You can send me a link to that mockup if it’s online, or email it to me! Have you seen my analysis of Into The Hole?
Also, you’re English is perfectly fine here.
@@FilmScoreandMore Of course I've seen your "into the hole" analysis, I've watched almost all of you videos!
The Mock-up is in my channel (this account)
@Alexander-h5o Good to know! I’ll check that out soon.
It's AMAZING! It's hard to imagine the film without John Powell. He's not just a great composer, but a great story teller as well.
Absolutely! He’s called himself less of a “composer” and more of a filmmaker in charge of music.
And again, an amazing video!
Thank you! What did you like about it?
@@FilmScoreandMoreI think the reason I find your videos so interesting is that you explain an aspect (of my favorite soundtrack and music in general) in a very compact and simple way. With letting us hear parts of the soundtrack that you are talking about. And just talking about stuff that interests me soooo much that I didn’t know before. So thank you for that!
@Yoris302 I’m glad to! It’s interesting to me, and I think it’s important to simplify everything as much as I can. It does get complicated sometimes.
Underrated video
Thanks, what do you like about it?
What would you call the theme that plays just prior to Hiccup meeting Toothless for the first time (in "The Downed Dragon," and reprised absolutely beautifully in the bonus track "The Vikings Have Their Tea")? I've always subconsciously considered that theme to belong to Hiccup
That one is “Viking Theme,” explained in detail in the second half of that original video.
Powell also said he prefers scoring character arcs instead of characters, so a number of themes represent ideas of who he is and aspires to be at different times.
ruclips.net/video/l3QpqPDiT2k/видео.htmlsi=ggPGeplZIv1-hNb-
Hello, I'm an enthusiast of movies soundtrack. I really think your videos help me a lot in understanding the concept of the music in the HTTYD. I'm a trumpet player in Marching Band and I'm dreaming of making my own music soon, your videos is one of my reference in learning music. For now my skill is not even close to make one. But I know one day I'll be able to finish my project.
Btw, Can I suggest that you make a video about the Demon Slayer soundtracks? I think they got a pretty cool music. Thank you in advance
I’m glad to hear my videos are helpful to you! Keep practicing your performance and try some composing. Just keep working at it.
Great video, as always! There is another theme I would like to ask about that only occurs in HTTYD 2, and only occurs twice (to my knowledge): Hiccup the Chief and the end of Two New Alphas. Is there an official name for this theme? Seems like it plays during scenes that are related to Hiccup becoming chief.
Yes, I plan to cover that one eventually. It’s simply the Hiccup The Chief theme for exactly that purpose. Powell used it as an example of how he scores character arcs instead of characters.
Listen for it when Hiccup leaves Berk in search of Drago in “Drago’s Coming” and when he confronts Eret in the following scene.
honestly i really like that
What do you like?
@@FilmScoreandMore that its both hiccups theme and fun viking theme!
@xRandom.editsx It’s an interesting way to use the theme! And it is fun!
I always thought it was Berk's theme
A lot of people call it that.