(new) Berklee Online Course - Film Scoring 101

[peru]

'lo

I'm taking a DP4 class over yonder at BerkleeMusic.com (not the phys edu) with Ben Newhouse <--mellow / funny / wrote the book BN). I was migrating from G4/OS9/DP3 to G5/OSX/DP4.6.1 and hoping for the quick road to get 'up to speed' - to dig a little deeper into MOTU's MIDI-editing capabilities (as well as a shoulder for some of this EW orchestral software). The course (with QT 'show me .movs') has been a surprise - very enlightening - pushed me into a final project that I might not have attempted otherwise. Now, I'm bringing in Strings, RA and Woodwinds and ... it's so much fun. There was LBEWQL and LAEWQL. [life before / life after] Aside from that, the added benefit is that DP's doorstop manual actually makes sense now, as in: See Jane Run - piece of cake. I get it.

I know these classes aren't 4 year scholarships at the School 'O Dreams, but they're a pretty good bridge for taking a leap. (especially if you live in the boondocks). The assignments are really an invitation to create and there's a way to go beyond the Professor's expectation and make it your "own private Idaho. (I don't know why i wrote that / no time to edit) Yeah, there's the curriculum but it's up to you how much heart and mind.

So ....that said~

Berklee just sent out a flyer for a new online 12-week course: Film Scoring 101. Syllabus below: A noncredit class - 900 bucks. Something new, too: Berk is leaving the classes open for a whole year so students may revisit the archives: logged real-time chats, Lessons, Activities, Topics, QT Tutorials, etc.

Spring semester starts April 3rd - http://www.berkleemusic.com/ New Courses link


Lesson 1: Drama and Music

* Absolute Music vs. Functional Music
* List Situations Where Music Provides Support
* Early Film and Sound Technology
* Identifying Dramatic Intent
* Identify Emotions for Music
* Think Like a Director
* Quiz

Lesson 2: Dramatic Functions

* Focusing on the Visual
* A Symbiotic Relationship
* Relationship Between Visuals and Music of Scenes
* More Symbiosis
* Dramatic Function: Three General Categories
* Identify Dramatic Functions of Scenes from "To Kill Mockingbird"

Lesson 3: Spotting for Music

* Spotting
* Considerations When Spotting
* Analyze the Spotting Process With a Scene
* Analyze the Spotting/Scoring of Several Scenes
* Spot Two Scenes

Lesson 4: Film Terminology and Dramatic Application

* The Stages of Film Production
* Setting Up and Shooting a Scene
* Analysis of Scene Structure
* Film Grammar and Linear Structure
* Scene Comparison with and without Music
* Basic Film Terminology
* Photographic Processing Effects
* Identify Editing Techniques and Photographic Effects
* Camera Movement and Perspective
* Breaking Down a Scene

Lesson 5: Working with SMPTE Time Code

* SMPTE Time Code
* Digital Audio – Digital Video
* SMPTE and Relative Time (aka-Clock Time or Running Time)
* Determine Relative Time
* SMPTE and Relative Time Conversion Tools
* Importing Video and Creating an Offset Start Point
* Using Markers in Your Video and Sequence
* Adding Markers in a Movie Clip
* Quiz
* Assignment

Lesson 6: Synchronization

* Synchronization
* Methods of Synchronization
* Critical Synchronization
* Music and Visual Sync
* Applying Sync Leeway
* Leeway- Early or Late
* Identify the Sync Relationship with Hard and Soft Sync Events
* Comparison of Timing Events to selected tempo - Bar/Beat Numbers
* Bar/Beat Breakdown
* Assignment

Lesson 7: Synchronization Part 2

* Frame Click Tempo Defined
* Comparison of Frame Click tempo to Metronome
* Subdivision of a Frame for Additional Tempi
* Using the Beat Sync Spreadsheet with a Frame Click
* Comparing Beat Sync Accuracy – Leeway of Neighboring Tempi
* Bar Layout and Use of Mixed Meters
* Starting a Cue
* Ending a cue
* Changing Tempo Directly
* Changing Tempo Gradually
* "Hiding" the Feel of Pulse

Lesson 8: Scoring Practicum – from spotting to mixing

* Spotting a Short Film
* Creating a Music Summary
* Developing a Concept for the Score
* Developing Thematic Material
* Relationship of Cues to Story Content and to One Another
* Assignment: Preparation for Creating a Complete Score

Lesson 9: Free Timing Techniques

* Methods of Free Timing Defined/Examples
* Comparison to Use of Clicks
* Composing to a Stop Watch
* The "Written" Click
* Freedom from Pulse – Ritards, Rubato
* Conducting/Performance Consideration
* Free Timing Applied to Using a Sequencer

Lesson 10: Overlap Cues and Transitions

* Overlap Cues Defined and Analyzed
* Why and When to Use an Overlap
* Four Techniques for Creating Overlaps
* Musical Considerations: Tonality, Tempo, and Instrumental Color
* Overlapping Source Cues and Underscore
* Double Track Cues
* Sweeteners and Overlays

Lesson 11: Scoring under Dialogue or Narration

* The Realities of Soundtrack Balance: Dialogue is King
* Open and Closed Scoring Situations
* Female/Male Voice Timbre and Register
* Narration vs. Dialogue – Other Considerations
* Rhythm and Dynamics of Spoken Word
* Instrumental Color: Choices for Blending
* Orchestration Dynamics Texture
* Dialogue and Music as Counterpoint

Lesson 12: Professional Scoring – preparations and application

* Types of Scoring Jobs
* Making Contacts
* Self-Promotion – The Scoring Demo
* Getting Organized for a Scoring Assignment
* Going Solo
* Building a Team
* Work Methods and Creating Mock-Ups
* Deadlines and Delivery
* Contracts and Copyright


Quiet on the set, please -
peru (sugar h)

[Neilfactory]

i would love to go at Berklee!

>Neil

[efiebke]

Oh I have to temporarily exit my "lurking mode". . . LOL!!

I can't believe that Berklee is now offering an "on line" Film Composition course!!!

This is great!

I graduated from Berklee in 1982. I'm a Film Composition Major! I am PROUD of my time spent at Berklee. I LOVED my time spent at Berklee and the 5 wonderful years living in Boston! I especially LOVE my BM degree!! (Pun intended! :D ) I add it to my other two degrees whenever I can!

Edward Fiebke, RN ASN, BSN, BM

LOL! :D

But gosh! How times have changed!!

On-line Film Composition courses!!!

Very, very, very cool!

I learned Film Composition at Berklee using flat-top movieloas. (Forgot how to spell "movieola". . . :o ) And "cut and paste"!! Back then, we literally cut the audio film and pasted it together! And I KNOW that there are members here that remember the original "cut and paste" (cut and tape) stuff too! LOL! I also went to Berklee when it cost roughly $4500/year. This included tuition, food and housing. Recently, just for kicks and giggles, I went to the Berklee web site to check the CURRENT cost of attending Berklee! Talk about inflation!!! LOL!

I am a PROUD ICU/CCU nurse. Also, my wife and I own a small production company where we produce CD's and live shows for my fellow nurses and healthcare professionals. It's a great part-time business that truly compliments my full-time job caring for sick people.

And every so often I spend time at my computer putting music to DV's that I produce. Nothing commercial. Very "home made". And a WONDERFUL creative out-let.

And I have Berklee to thank for much of what I do now.

And I'm glad to read that Berklee now has online Film Composition courses.

How time has changed!! Really! Isn't technology wonderful?!?!? :)

I wonder if Berklee still has those now very old movieolas??? Anyone know???

O.K. Back to "lurk mode". . . .

[peru]

Neil - you could probably teach the Professor a few things. One day, I expect to see yours and Cécile's name rolling by in the ending credits of a great film. You ought to be passing your discs out at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah USA. Just keep saying yes to manifesting that flow of inspiration. Doors will fly open.

efiebke - Sounds like you had a blast in Boston and the education has enhanced your life in terms of both joy and purpose.

I just signed up for the class. (freshman!) I'm guessing most composers on this forum are already writing for Film/Game/TV so the syllabus may be too greenhorn for veterans. Berklee - not everyone's cup of tea ...although I wouldn't mind taking a seat in their audio engineering program. There are plenty of Music Institutes, Music Schools, and Music Departments :::

http://www2.siba.fi/Kulttuuripalvelut/institutes.html

Lately, I've been running into a lot of Eastman guys. Serious Musicians.

[Neilfactory]

Peru>I'm happy for you.Congrats:)
Thank you for yours nice words.

>Neil.

[Nick Batzdorf]

What's interesting is that I saw it showing Don Wilkins as the instructor, and he's retiring. (He's been there a long time - I went through his program 25 years ago and he'd already been there a while then.)

[Cat]

I just found another online course - Music for the Media, at:

www.musicforthemedia.co.uk

I saw the ad in the Sound On Sound magazine. Anybody heard of it?
To me it looks more "hand on" kind of training, but I am afraid that will take too much longer (6 to 12 months of hard working), and it is in the UK (I am targeting the Canadian/US market).

[drew]

I just found another online course - Music for the Media, at:

www.musicforthemedia.co.uk

I saw the ad in the Sound On Sound magazine. Anybody heard of it?
To me it looks more "hand on" kind of training, but I am afraid that will take too much longer (6 to 12 months of hard working), and it is in the UK (I am targeting the Canadian/US market).

I know some people who have taken this course. It's not just about film music but covers commercials, corporate videos, animation, TV, documentarires and others. Though based in the UK, you can take the course no matter where you live. The only criticism I heard was that the material is kind of dated.

[WoodIsGood]

Peru, Thanks for the info. I just registered. I appreciate the heads up.

[Cat]

Peru, Thanks for the info. I just registered. I appreciate the heads up.

I just did it, too.
Thanks Peru!

[Vissequ]

Thank you Peru. I needed 5 credits for high school, and what a great way to earn them!!

I'll be signing up too!

[leogardini]

The course has already started and I´m there...is someone from here there too???

[Kayamb]

Hi everyone,

I have also heard a little about this course:
www.crackthecodemusic.com

Does anyone have done it or known someone that has done it? It is worth doing it?

Cheers!

[WoodIsGood]

This is the first time the course has been offered online. I'll let you know how it goes. Oops, sorry. I didn't click the link. Thought you were still talking about the Berklee class.

[Lee Ophelius]

I have been doing the music for media course for a while now and i am enjoying it greatly.
Some of the things i have learnt about the industry would take years to learn out in the field. However if you are just interested in writing for films then you should know that you only study one short film, the rest of the assignments are based on commercials, games, animation, documentaries etc. Whilst the meterial does seem very dated it helped me decide that i hate doing commercials and i love doing films and documentaries.
I think the course is also good value for money six hundred english pounds.
you also get access to their hotline for advice and help. hope this helps someone.:)

[ugisiger]

hi to all
the end of the berklee course is near. because i think to go in too,,,
- what are the experiences with the course?
- workload?
- what about the assignemnets?
- any hints?

thanks and happy scoring :-)
Ueli

[Manip]

I would consider an online course if it had like filmed classes... But what is the value in reading large amounts of written text? If I'm going to do that then I might have well order some books from the bookshop and start reading though those for twelve weeks.

I'm not trying to be critical... But Berklee course offers written material and a discussion area... But I can get written material anywhere and discuss it on any number of music forums. It's not like I can use the credit for anything.

[XGener8or]

Recently, just for kicks and giggles, I went to the Berklee web site to check the CURRENT cost of attending Berklee! Talk about inflation!!! LOL!


Just for curiosity I checked the cost for international students

Holy poop on a stick :eek:

42000 bucks for one year

So you gotta be a friggin millionaire to go to such a school in the states. Here we have it good, studying costs nothing, and you actually get money for it.

[FilmComposerZ]

wow, I think it might be a waste. Now I'm no "film composer" at all, but I know the big guys did not go to film scoring classes at all. And here they are scoring pictures. I just think you can do it on your own. That's my opinion though. The bottom line is you don't need somebody telling you how to score a dramatic scene. What you must do, melody, harmony, that comes out from within you under the directors notions as to what he wants to convey...

I don;t know, just my opinion again. 42000 bucks for teaching you what? Danny Elfmann never did film scoring classes...he was a rock n roller...

Pablo

[Nick Batzdorf]

You can learn nuclear physics on your own too, but most people find it worthwhile going to college.

[WoodIsGood]

Sorry this post is late as I know the summer term has already begun at Berklee, but here are my thoughts after completing the course . . .

This is a very basic course as the name "101" implies. I guess there's really know way to know exactly how experienced each and every student is in the world of film music, so the course covers a wide range of "basic" techniques. (I'm pretty sure you can access the complete course syllabus at the Berklee website) Overall I think it's a good course for those who want an overview of the film music industry and don't really have much personal experience with scoring on their own. If you've imported a quicktime into your DAW and know how to set up sync markers, and you have a good idea of how to identify dramatic situations in a film/video then you will probably be somewhat under-whelmed by the course. Even the instructor reiterated that there's no better way to learn the craft than to actually do it for real.

My expectations for the course were to make sure I wasn't missing anything and to get one-on-one interaction and feedback from an industry professional. This is the area where I feel the course needs work. There were only 3 or 4 actual scoring assignments and we sometimes went a couple of weeks before getting any feedback. In fact, for one of the assignments I got feedback from some of my fellow classmates well before the instructor. I think the instructor was overwhelmed by the amount of assignments he had to keep up with as this was the first time he taught this course online and I'm sure he had a regular course at the actual school as well. I don't question the experience and capability of the instructor at all. In fact, I found his comments to be quite detailed and constructive when he actually had the time to sit down and comment on our work. I know he didn't intend to take 2 weeks to get to grading our work, but I would consider this point if you are thinking about taking the course. Maybe they will take the feedback to heart when planning future semesters.

Also, if you are planning on getting scenes from actual films to score then you might be disappointed. Due to copyright issues it's tough for them to get access to feature films, so we got a scene from an older TV series and a couple of dated industrial documentaries to score. Personally, I didn't feel like the scenes provided were quite dramatic enough to warrant serious consideration from a film composer. I think in some cases needle-drop could have done the job. I was hoping for a 2-3 minute scene from a dramatic film where you could really get in there and influence the mood with your music. I wanted to see how what I wrote would work or not work and what were the reasons for it. Once again, this is just my personal opinion, but the scenes we were given did not involve actors or much in the way of sound effects, etc. They were just documentaries on a particular subject that to me were somewhat uninspiring.

Maybe I missed something and maybe my expectations were set too high, but in the end I don't know how much I actually learned from the class. Maybe online is not the place to do it. If I had to do it again I would not spend $950 on this course; I would put it toward some books and more sample libraries from EastWest! ;)

[awpmusic]

I just found another online course - Music for the Media, at:

www.musicforthemedia.co.uk

I saw the ad in the Sound On Sound magazine. Anybody heard of it?
To me it looks more "hand on" kind of training, but I am afraid that will take too much longer (6 to 12 months of hard working), and it is in the UK (I am targeting the Canadian/US market).


Highly recommended - you'll learn lots and there is a US based course as well. Go for it.

[fongi]

I know somebody who did the Music for the Media course and he said it was just great, if it´s any better that Berklee couldn´t say, Music for MEdia operate out of London and Hollywood. As a point of interest it doesn´t neccessarily follow that the course is the "bees Knees" just because it´s Berklee, O.K. a different theme altogether but I did a Jazz improvisation course at Berklee some years back and the tutors weren´t in any way better than the ones we have here in Europe. Some people dig the prestige, "I did the course at Berklee" some will find that cool for sure ;)