Music for Film & Video

Curriculum guideline

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Course
MUSC 3284
Discontinued
Yes
Course code
MUSC 3284
Descriptive
Music for Film & Video
Department
Music
Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Credits
2.00
Start date
End term
202010
PLAR
No
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
26
Contact hours
3 hours per week
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
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.

Course description
A course in practical film music composition, working with QuickTime movies in the Logic Pro sequencing environment. Through lecture, demonstrations, and assignments, students will learn the art of 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
  4. Tempo and pace
  5. Identifying mood of the musical cue, internal vs external perspectives
  6. Applications of harmony and orchestration to film
  7. Application of mixing concepts to film
  8. Integration into iMovie for assignment submission
  9. Importing/exporting audio EDL
  10. Cue sheet generation
Learning outcomes

The main objective of the course is to get students writing music to picture in a variety of different genres. Students will understand the demands of the industry as well as general 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.

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

  1. Working with QuickTime movies in Logic
  2. Write cues in various styles for whatever is required by the genre
  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 and television
  8. Application of orchestration to film
  9. General industry procedures
Means of assessment
Regular assignments (minimum of 5) 60%
Final project/film* 40%

* The Final Project constitutes one component of the graduation portfolio requirement.

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.

Prerequisites

MUSC 3181 or permission of instructor