CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND marks the third film Williams scored for his longtime collaborator Steven Speilberg, following THE SUGARLAND EXPRESS in 1974 and JAWS in 1975; and the two have continued to work together on over 25 films. With this score, Williams creates an atmosphere of both terror and curiosity, mixing ominous atonality with rhapsodic orchestral sequences. Music also becomes language in the film, when the “five tones” (Re, Mi, Do, Do, So) are used to communicate with the film’s extraterrestrial visitors - evolving from a playful call and response, to an otherworldly sound and light show. While many films are scored after principal production, Williams composed the score for CLOSE ENCOUNTERS before the film was edited, with Speilberg using it as his north star.