Call for Chapter Submissions (DEADLINE EXTENSION TO JULY 1 2021):

The Convergence and Divergence of Music in Games and Films, edited collection

Editors: Richard Anatone and Andrew S. Powell

 Video games and film share many similar characteristics from both a narrative and musical perspective. These media present compelling stories to their respective audience by incorporating similar plot devices, which are enhanced by soundtracks that often endure similar compositional techniques. Among these are the use of recurring associative themes, leitmotivic scoring, transformative procedures, and the manipulation of diegetic and nondiegetic boundaries (just to name a few).

Despite these similarities, musical scoring to video games differ greatly from their cinematic counterpart. This may be due most notably to the fact that video games enjoy a deeper level of interaction with their players than films do with their audiences. As a result, time is experienced much differently among the two mediums. Indeed, while films may span only a few hours, video games may span hundreds of hours, requiring different compositional strategies in its scoring.

With the abundance of games based on pre-existing films, films based on pre-existing games, and original role-playing games drawing on filmic techniques and narratives, we have a unique opportunity to strengthen our understanding of music’s role in these two similar, yet unique mediums. We are looking for writers who are interested in in contributing their research regarding music in the so-called “film-based video game” and the “game-based movie.” Chapter topics may include (but are certainly not limited to):

·         Comparative analyses of compositional procedures in film and video game music

·         Comparative analyses of filmic and ludic techniques and music’s role among them

·         Nostalgia, memory, and/or legacy among the two mediums

·         Exploration of trans-medial relationship with other mediums (TV shows, fan-based webisodes, cartoons, commercials, etc.)

·         Ludic/musical/filmic methods of representation (race, gender, ethnicities, etc.)

Completed chapters should be between 7000 and 9000 words. Successful chapters should explore compositional processes in both film and video games as a comparative analysis. Chapters should not include more than 12 pictures, including tables. All pictures should be 300dpi.

Please send abstract submissions to richanatonemusic@gmail.com by July 1, 2021. Include a title to your proposed chapter, along with a short abstract (about 300 words), a preliminary reference list, and a brief biography. In the body of the email, please include the proposed name of the chapter and your name. Interested writers who have not yet completed their doctoral degree, nor have attained candidacy should also include a letter from their advisor speaking to their research and writing capabilities.

Writers will be notified by July 15, 2021. If accepted, chapters will be due by August 1, 2022.