| Applications
for the Professional Certificate in Film Scoring are now being accepted.
Classes begin Tuesday, September 7, 2010.
Schedule
View a detailed schedule of classes.
Composition Coursework
The five core composition classes have been significantly expanded
both in subjects covered and class hours and are taught by the Program
Founder, two-time Emmy-Award winning film composer Hummie Mann.
Film Scoring 1: Foundations
An introduction to the aesthetics, technical and legal aspects of film
music. This course focuses on the process of composing music for film,
the effect of music on images, and all aspects of the film industry.
Film Scoring 2: Applied Music Composition
Advanced composition techniques applicable to the creation of scores
that support particular dramatic effects – sadness, triumph, suspense,
comedy, etc. Students will learn how to handle the unique compositional
challenges presented by film, such as scoring under dialog and manipulating
their compositions to fit a film’s nonmusical timing requirements
while maintaining musical integrity.
Film Scoring 3: Orchestration for the Studio Environment
Orchestration specifically focusing on works to be recorded in a professional
studio environment. There are a variety of techniques that work only
in the studio and not in a concert hall, and vice versa. It is crucial
that film composers understand how to take advantage of these differences
and avoid the potential pitfalls of applying live-performance orchestration
techniques in a recording-session context.
Film Scoring 4: Dramatic Composition Lab
Project-based class where students complete composition exercises that
meet specific dramatic, technical, compositional and orchestrational
requirements. Students will present their compositions to the class
and get feedback from the instructor and other students.
Film Scoring 5: Directed Study in Film Composition
The last third of the program is devoted to the composition of scores
to six film projects. This class is the practical application of everything
studied in the program thus far. Students receive guidance and direction
through private lessons with program director Hummie Mann, group discussion
and supervised lab hours.
Technology Coursework
Technology classes are taught by Tim Huling and Doug Zangar. These
courses teach the software programs that are considered standard tools
of the industry.
The profession of film scoring now requires a high level of technological
competence, and many of our students enter the industry as a technical
assistant to a working composer. Consequently, we prepare our students
with a professional-level working knowledge of all the software commonly
used in the industry, including:
- MIDI Sequencing: Digital Performer and Logic (30 hours of instruction
in each)
- Notation: Finale and Sibelius (27 hours of instruction in each)
Advanced MIDI: Plugins and synthesis principles (30 hours of instruction)
- Audio Recording and Mixing: Protools and Studio Technology (30 hours
of instruction)
- Synchronization: Auricle (9 hours of instruction)
Additional Coursework
Various Instructors & Guests
Conducting
Taught by Hummie Mann (conductor of many major-motion-picture scores,
including his own films and City Slickers, The Addams Family, The Grudge,
A Walk to Remember, Drag Me to Hell) this class teaches the conducting,
rehearsal and podium techniques necessary to run an efficient professional
recording session.
Music and Audio for Games
Taught by Scott Selfon, this class is a thorough investigation into
how music and sound operate in the video-game environment, with an emphasis
on adaptive, interactive, non-linear composition methods. Students will
have the opportunity to write music that is designed to be adapted to
game play by special, video-game oriented audio engines and will learn
to use current software that controls music and audio in game play through
hands-on experience.
Songwriting for Film
Taught by Sue Ennis, this course is an investigation of how structure,
melody, and lyrics function together to create a well-written song.
Students will also examine the ins and outs of writing songs for films,
including how to tailor a song for a scene and what constitutes a successful
End Credit song. Students will write a film-oriented song and receive
instructor and peer feedback.
Film Music History and Analysis
Taught by Tim Huling, this class is an analytical look at the style
and function of music for film throughout film history, starting with
silent-era films and covering scores up to the present day. Students
will present an analysis of a seminal film score in class.
Guest Lectures
Active professionals of the film-music industry and related fields
will come and give their insights on working in the industry. They will
cover topics ranging from the creative – different approaches
to scoring films; to the technical – insights from designers and
power users of cutting-edge software; to the business – marketing
and current trends in contracts and legal issues. Guests To Be Announced. |
