Feb 11, 2019
*Updated November 2021
When you watch a film that’s set in an arid climate, you can’t feel the hot desert wind on your face or taste the dust in the air. You don’t feel the sensation of sweat dripping down your back or the cold creeping in as the sun sets over the sand dunes.
You don’t physically experience any of these sensations because you’re actually seated comfortably at home or en route to work on public transit with your mobile device balanced on your knee.
But here’s the caveat: Filmmakers can (and do) use music and other storytelling tools to create a more immersive viewing experience. (It’s why you invest so much time creating shot lists, shooting scripts, storyboard templates, call sheets, and more.)
If a main goal of yours is to showcase a scene’s landscape — and make viewers feel like they’ve been transported to a certain place — it’s not enough to decide on an extreme wide shot and call it a day. You need music that helps draw your audience into the scene, and you probably want to do it without spending tens of thousands of dollars on licensing.
How to build a soundtrack that showcases setting
Searching for the right song is something you don’t want to rush. That’s because your music selection impacts your audience’s interpretation of your film, travel vlog, or other project.
The first step in building a soundtrack that showcases setting is simply knowing the role that location plays in your project. Think of it in the same way you would develop a character.
A desert — like any location — can be beautiful, but it can also be stark, melancholy, or dangerous. When you shoot in this type of landscape, the music that you use clues the audience in on how they’re meant to view the setting.
Is the lead character overwhelmed by the landscape and running low on supplies? The music could reflect this sense of desperation and uncertainty. Are they speeding over sand dunes in a vehicle they just commandeered to get away? The pace of the music should be fast-paced and high energy to reflect the adrenaline rush of the moment.
Whatever the case may be, context matters when building a project’s soundtrack. And to help you get inspired, let’s take a look at five films that masterfully use music to build up the emotional power of a scene in which the landscape is a main character.
We’ll also share 18 song recommendations from Soundstripe’s library that have a similar tone and feel to the music used in each scene, in case you want to try it out on your next project.
5 films that executed this perfectly (and 18 royalty free song recommendations)
1. Life of Pi (2012)
From the very start of this scene, the ocean and what exists underneath is the main focus. The music begins softly and peacefully and takes on a quicker pace as Pi watches the glowing jellyfish below him.
When he notices something coming up toward him, the music slows briefly until he — and the viewer — realizes that the “something” is a whale. The music builds to a crescendo as the whale breaches the water and jumps high into the air.
As the whale falls back into the water, it takes Pi and some of his supplies with it — signaling another tonal shift in the music that highlights Pi’s vulnerability and surprise in that moment.
Here are three royalty free songs that can create a similar effect as this film’s score:
- Oleander Tea by GLASWING
- Eudaemonia by Cody Martin
- Last Love by Moments
2. The Mountain Between Us (2017)
The music at the start of this scene is eerie and suspenseful, which is reinforced by the dog barking and the enclosed setting. The music is quiet and subtle until the moment when Alex (Kate Winslet) sees a mountain lion.
The tension builds and subsides until she is face-to-face with the mountain lion, unarmed. Once she shoots the flare gun, the camera shifts to Ben (Idris Elba) as he makes his way toward her across the mountain landscape.
The music at this point has a slower pace but starts to quicken again in the moments before Ben reaches the plane.
If you’re looking for music that builds tension in a similar way, check out these tracks:
- The Predator by Phillip Mount
- Darkness Approaches by Louis Lion
- Change Will Come by Third Age
3. A River Runs Through It (1992)
Unlike the scene from “The Mountain Between Us,” the music in this scene is serene and calm from start to finish. And that’s because what’s happening on-screen is low stakes and low danger (no mountain lions in sight, fortunately).
The music builds, not to increase tension but to signal character development as Paul (Brad Pitt) separates from his father for the first time while fishing.
If you want to license music that sounds serene and natural, here are three songs worth considering:
- Tranquility by Lincoln Davis
- Tucked Away by Shimmer
- Choice by Stephen Keech
4. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
In classic Indiana Jones style, the music in this scene is used to reinforce the main character’s heroism as he goes up against opposition that almost always has the advantage of more people and weapons.
So, as Indiana (Harrison Ford) chases down and commandeers the vehicle, the music and the desert landscape work well together to build the tension and excitement of the scene.
If you’re looking for a royalty-free alternative that matches the energy and pace of this score, check out these songs:
- Verge Of Discovery by Cody Martin
- Believe In Something by Caleb Etheridge
- Pillars Of Fire by Kevin Graham
5. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2001)
This scene might be one of the most peaceful fight scenes of all time, and the music is a key reason why. Throughout the conflict — and as the characters duel above ground level — the score is serene.
The music is also accompanied by many different sound effects: bending tree branches, a strong wind, swords clashing against swords, etc. All of these enhance the moment, adding layers that viewers take in without being distracted from the action.
Below are three royalty free songs that have a similar tone and feel:
- Doha by Ian Kelosky
- Lineage by Shimmer
- Suzhou Canal by Door to Penglai
Where To Find The Right Royalty Free Music For Landscape-Centric Videos
Each of these film examples use music as a storytelling tool to bring new meaning to what’s happening on-screen. Whether the scene took place on water or on land, the filmmakers chose music and created a score that showcased the surrounding landscape in a new and unique way.
As you search for music that will impact your audience in a similar way, don’t overlook royalty free music — especially since it’s easier and more affordable to license than any of the music used in these films or popular songs played on the radio.
These 18 song selections are just a small sample of the many different tracks we have on offer at Soundstripe. As you can see, our royalty free music selection is varied, but all of it comes from highly talented musicians.
When you are ready to pair your next film, travel vlog, or other video with music that will do justice to the grandeur on display, sign up for a subscription and get access to thousands of radio-quality songs.