It assists in intensifying or relaxing the pace of the film. This is such a influential function, that some critics believe it to be the only one. These critics believe that the emotional response that a score generates from a viewer is also able to provide the film with other musical functions as well, since all music, whatever its other functions are, inherently presents emotion, because that is its nature. This view is acceptable, since many of the other functions, when used in the film, do indirectly produce a vast scale of emotion from the viewer. This is most effectively done through a variety of specific orchestrations.
Film music has functions outside of the film as well.
Scores are frequently created by composers in the form of concert suites, so that they can be listened to privately at home, or in a concert itself. Soundtracks, on the other hand, are a million dollar industry. Film producers, though previously naive about the possible financial success of a soundtrack album were quick to catch on. Executives were soon pleased with the results of the following years, as the idea of a song for a film pleased music fans. One can easily understand the course this idea took, being that when a concept catches on with the public, it is always exploited by Hollywood executives.