Call for Blog Posts: 100 Years of Synchronised Screen Soundtracks

An RMA Sound on Screen Study Group Project

October 2027 marks 100 years since the premiere of The Jazz Singer, the first full-length film with a synchronised soundtrack. The film is highly problematic in its cultural appropriation and representations of race and was not the first with synchronised sound, but its commercial success was the catalyst for significant developments in film production and exhibition that changed the idea of film. To recognise a century of synchronised screen sound, we are seeking contributions for a series of blog posts exploring and reflecting on histories of, contributions to, and moments in screen music and sound. We intend that this series of posts will draw attention to the complexity and depth of the history and geography of screen sound and music, and invite researchers, archivists, students, and practitioners at all career stages to contribute to this initiative, which we hope will encompass the breadth of our field.

The term ‘screen soundtracks’ is intentionally broad and includes any media in which music, dialogue, and/or sound is synchronised with a moving image. Potential blog post topics include, but are not limited to:

• Summaries or reviews of existing publications or dissertations on screen music and sound (the author’s own, or those by others), including the opportunity to reflect on developments in screen music and sound since publication/completion of the text
• Historiographies, literature reviews, or reflections on screen soundtrack histories, including overlooked or marginalised histories, microhistories and local histories
• Production or exhibition histories of any period, region or culture
• An overview of a year, decade or other key period of screen soundtracks
• Pivotal moments, or other ‘advents’ in soundtrack history from any part of the world
• Investigations of sites and geographies of screen music production and reception
• Analyses of significant or revealing audiovisual moments from any medium (film, television, video games, social media, adverts, music videos, installation art, etc.), contextualised within screen soundtrack history more broadly
• Challenges and contentions in screen soundtrack history

Blog posts should be a maximum of 1000 words plus a brief reference list. Posts may include links to external sources (e.g. YouTube clips), and images may be included as long as there are no permissions to clear. This is an open call, and since we would like to post new blog entries throughout 2027, submissions will be reviewed at the end of each month. Expressions of interest should be emailed to [email protected], and should include:

1. Your name and a short (max 50 words) biography/overview of your research area(s). 2. Proposed blog post title 3. A short summary of the topic (max 250 words). If relevant, include citation information for relevant publication(s) summarised. 4. An anticipated deadline for submission of a first draft of your post (to assist with scheduling and the order of posting).

Membership of the Royal Musical Association or the RMA Sound on Screen Study Group is not a requirement to contribute. However, should you wish to join the RMA, please visit “Joining the RMA”.

Best wishes,

Elsa Marshall (Blog Project Lead) and Ian Sapiro (Chair, RMA Sound on Screen Study Group)

For and on behalf of the RMA Sound on Screen Study Group Committee