“Steamboat Willie” is famous because it used fully synchronized sound. View the film again. How is the sound used to emphasize the action? Give some specific examples. What role does music play in the film? Does the use of sound reveal something about each of the characters? What does it reveal and how is sound used?
Thanks to Iwerks animation and Stalling’s music brilliance, distributors found interest in Steamboat Willie. In addition for being Mickey Mouse’s first exclusive appearance in animation, Steamboat Willie holds a significant part in animation history for being the first to master synchronized music, sounds, and (hypothetical) dialogue in animation. The music since the start of the film plays in a fun lively tone, already giving context to the viewers that this would be a comedic film at this era of time. As the animation plays, the steamboat steam gives off a consistent rhythm to the music followed along with Mickey’s whistling. He uses his foot to tap the boat’s deck and turns the wheel like a drum snare, all in rhythm in a musical fashion. He also has a high pitched chitter, which tells me he is energetic and upbeat. The big large cat character which I presume to be Pete, has a lower tone of voice but also sounds authoritative and strict. Minnie also shares a high pitched voice, but sounds more fluttery. Point being said, all sounds have direct distinction from each other. In simple terms, its truly an array of instruments alike forming a genuine orchestra.
