The Prelude to the Drama

Research Paper (undergraduate) from the year 2011 in the subject Musicology, grade: 1,3, Humboldt-University of Berlin, language: English, abstract: Over the past decade, TV series have aroused a growing popular interest, which makes them a subject worth studying. In my project I am willing to consider the music soundtracks attached to TV series focusing on the title sequence and trying to answer questions like: Which is the relationship between title sequence music and TV series genre? When compared to full length movies, which are the specific functions of the title sequence music in TV series?

To develop this subject I will firstly comment on some general issues regarding TV series influence on popular culture and on the reception of popular music. Secondly, I will consider the characteristics and functions of the title sequence music, in a general way and by analyzing the differences between two paradigmatic cases: CSI and True Blood. Finally I will briefly consider the differences and similarities between the cases considered and draw some conclusions.