Master the Art of Composing For Film and Learn To Find Gigs Doing It!
Here is a list of some of the topics we will cover:
- Tools of the trade
- Finding the emotional response
- Music Theory and Genre
- Using Modes in Film Scores
- Finding the Message
- Learning from Temp Cues
- “Spotting” the film
- Working with industry budgets
- Diegetic music and nondiegetic music
- Score and Source
- The Ostinato
- Working with silent films
- Setting up a session
- Marking hits
- Scoring the opening credits
- Motive and Lietmotif
- Working with Lietmotifs
- Working with rhythm in cues
- POV
- Finding and analyzing POV scenes
- Composing using POV
- Any much, much, more!
01
Welcome & Overview
Welcome to the class! In this section we will talk about what is covered in this class, the tools we will use, and a bit about the examples used in this class.
Introduction
Tools of the Trade, and a Look at One of My Projects
Update! MuseScore 3.0
What I’ve Found in Other Film Scoring Classes
A Note About Examples in This Class
02
Emotion and Music Theory
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One of the first things we should do with any project is explore the emotional palette of the scene.
Finding the Right Emotional Response
Music Theory and Genre
Using Modes in Film Music
Finding the Message of the Film
Threnody for the Care Bears
03
The Process
Before we dive in to writing our soundtrack, let’s learn a little bit about the process of scoring a film.
Learning From Temp Cues
Spotting the Film
Budgets
04
Diegetic Music and Non Diegetic Music
Sometimes called “source” and “score” music, these are the two main types of music we work with in film composition.
Diegetic and Non Diegetic Music
Score and Source Example: JAWS (1975)
Source Music Elements
When the Score and Source Collide
Analysis: Battlestar Galactica
05
The Ostinato
Once you learn what an ostinato is, you won’t be able to stop noticing them in every film score that you hear.
Analysis: Captain America
Analysis: Requiem for a Dream
The Ostinato
Working with Silent Films
Setting Up a Session
Composing with Ostinatos
Building on Ostinatos with More Elements
Marking Hits
Finishing Up Our Intro
A Quick Analysis So Far
[DOWNLOAD] MuseScore (Notation) File
Working with Notation
06
Motive and Leitmotif
When working on a film, you can sometimes create reusable motives for people, places, and things.
Motive and Lietmotif
Analysis: Star Wars
The Opera Connection
Locating Lietmotifs
Composing Lietmotifs
Adding Rhythm
Our Long Cue So Far
07
Point of View (POV)
Composing with an understanding of POV is essential!
What is POV?
Finding and Analyzing POV Scenes
Scoring a POV Scene
Analysis of our POV Scene
08
Wrap Up
This class got so big I decided to make a part 2!
Split in 2
Coming in Part 2!
Thanks for Watching!
But Wait! There’s More!
Certificate of Completion
Dr. J. Anthony Allen
Music PhD, Producer, Composer, Instructor, Professor, Author, & Ableton Certified Trainer.
ABOUT
Dr. Allen is a professional musician, top-rated online instructor, and university professor. In 2017 the Star Tribune featured him as a “Mover and a Shaker,” and he is recognized by the Grammy Foundation for his music education classes. He currently teaches at Augsburg University in Minneap
