Research Project: The Impact of Film Music Tempo on Audience Attention and Emotional Engagement
Asad Mahar
Research Project: The Impact of Film Music Tempo on Audience Attention and Emotional Engagement Introduction This research aims to explore how different tempos in film music influence audience attention and emotional engagement. The focus of the study is on the neurocognitive effects of music, with a specific emphasis on how musical tempo affects brain activity, emotional responses, and attention during film viewing. By utilizing EEG technology to measure alpha-band suppression and event-related potentials (ERPs), this study aims to provide a detailed understanding of the relationship between tempo in film music and audience engagement. Research Question The central research question guiding this study is: Overview of the Structure The literature review will be organized around three main themes: (2015) argue that music can modulate viewers' connection with characters by influencing their emotional responses. Studies such as those by Baumgartner and Boczkowska (2023) further investigate how music interacts with visual elements to intensify or mitigate emotional reactions, supporting the idea that film music is integral to audience engagement. However, there is a gap in understanding how different musical tempos specifically affect these emotional connections. While much has been written about how music affects general emotional responses, little research has addressed how the tempo of music influences the intensity and nature of those emotions. The study by Young-Sung Kwon et al. s of musical tempo on audience engagement in film contexts. Hypotheses: 1. Faster tempos in film music will lead to greater attention and emotional engagement, as indicated by alpha-band suppression and increased ERP P300 amplitudes. 2. Slower tempos will have a reduced effect on attention and emotional engagement, leading to a more relaxed cognitive and emotional state. The Gap: This study addresses the gap in understanding how different tempos in film music influence both attention and emotional engagement, providing empirical data to support the theoretical claims about tempo’s role in film music's impact on audiences. Theme 3: Neurocognitive Models of Music and Emotion in Film Viewpoint