Course

Music for Film and Video II

Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Department
Music
Course Code
MUSC 2172
Credits
2.00
Semester Length
15
Max Class Size
26
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Course Designation
None
Industry Designation
None
Typically Offered
To be determined

Overview

Course Description
An advanced course in practical film music composition, working with QuickTime movies in the Logic Pro sequencing environment. Through lecture, demonstrations, and assignments, students will learn advanced techniques for composing music for film, TV, and other visual media.
Course Content
  1. QuickTime movie importing and the Logic Pro environment
  2. Spotting a scene/film
  3. Palette of sounds and its applicability, including the exploration of third party sound libraries
  4. Tempo and pace, with the addition of large multi-cues
  5. Identifying mood of the musical cue, internal vs external perspectives
  6. Applications of harmony and orchestration to film, TV, and video games
  7. Application of mixing concepts to film, TV, and video games
  8. Importing/exporting audio EDL
  9. Cue sheet generation
  10. Work on longer, larger term project with emphasis on continuity required for full length film
  11. Printed sheet music and recording by live players in final project
Learning Activities

The instructor will devote three hours per week to lecture/demonstration. Students will work alongside the instructor in the Technology Lab. Students will be expected to complete regular assignments and projects outside of class time. These can be done in the lab or at home.

Means of Assessment

Assessment will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. 

The following is an example evaluation scheme:

Assignment #1 20%  
Assignment #2 20%  
Assignment #3 25%  
Assignment #4 25%  
Professionalism    10%  
Total 100%  

Professionalism is assessed on consistent attendance, punctuality, taking responsibility for deadlines, constructive and considerate inter-personal communication and contribution to class discussion and group work. 

 

 

Learning Outcomes

The main objective of the course is to get students writing music to picture in a variety of different advanced genres. Students will acquire and understand advanced concepts of music mixing and orchestration as they apply to film. Using QuickTime and audio clips, the students will learn to compose music to the video or audio clips in the Logic Pro environment. Primary instruments will be those accessible via MIDI and virtual instruments in Logic, as well as live instruments recorded to be mixed with the sequenced mixes.

 

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to understand and apply the following:

  1. Working with multiple QuickTime movies in Logic;
  2. Write cues in various styles as required by the genre, with emphasis on longer, more complex scenes;
  3. Integrate sequencing and programming knowledge from other courses for the end goal of composing to picture;
  4. Work on a deadline as required by the industry;
  5. Prepare spotting notes and cue sheets as required in the industry;
  6. Integration of recorded live audio;
  7. mixing concepts with regard to film, television, and video games;
  8. Application of more advanced orchestration to film, TV, and video games;
  9. General industry procedures.
Textbook Materials

No texts or materials are required. All required hardware and software for the completion of assignments and projects are available in the lab. A complete list of recommended software will be available at the first class session. A reference text list will also be made available.

Requisites

Prerequisites

MUSC 1272

Corequisites

No corequisite courses.

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer Details for MUSC 2172
There are no applicable transfer credits for this course.

Course Offerings

Winter 2025