SUCCESS IS IN THE AIR

The Soundtrack, Music and Marketing of Strictly Ballroom

Abstract

The conventional function of film music, it has been argued, works "to support and complement the style, mood and narrative of [a] film" This explanation serves however to elide a range of other factors which determine the composition of film scores. This article will attempt to map and explore a range of these with specific regard to the highly successful Australian feature Strictly Ballroom and emphasise the crucial role played by factors such as: budgetary parameters; copyright permission; marketing considerations; and the personal tastes of the production team.