Code: MUS004
Title: Oscar!
Pre-requisites: MUS001 or MUS002, MUS003
Coordinator: Ms Sue Lonsdale

Explosions, murders, chase scenes and true love.  Where would the movie industry be without the right music to accompany these things?  This unit focuses on music in the movies and how it is used to enhance the story and characters.  You will acquire the skills, knowledge and vocabulary needed to compose, perform and analyse music at a senior level.  Industry standard computer software will be used to score a short section of film.

Topics

• Develop analytical skills and vocabulary to a senior level
• Investigate the use of music in film through observation and practical tasks
• Develop composition skills appropriate to a film score
• Develop performance skills in voice and keyboard

Assessment

Students will complete the following pieces of assessment:

• Aural Analysis (Mid Term 1)
• Composition (Film soundtrack)  (End Term 2)
• Performance of a film related piece of music. (Mid Term 2)
• Written Exam (End Term 2)

At completion students should know

• Styles of scores and relation to different genres of motion film
• An understanding of the history of sound and present day use
• Knowledge of terms and techniques associated with film music
• Instruments of the orchestra
• Compositional devices of film genre 

At completion students should be able to

• Extend performing skills within small ensembles
• Use scoring techniques relevant to film genre/script
• Interpret musical elements within a range of repertoire
• Identify cultural and historical context of repertoire
• Analyse characteristics of film music genre

Literacy elements

• Develop the ability to view attentively and respond in metaphorical ways
• Develop oral, aural and kinaesthetic memory and sensitivity to words
• Explore variety of expressive forms - identify multiple meaning in texts

Integrated technology

• Digital camera
• Internet
• Power-point
• Dvd/vcr
• Sound editing

Assignment guidelines

Please refer to the Assignment Guidelines on how to set out bibliographies and references.  

Resources

1 x manilla folder, 1 x music exercise book - which contains both lines for writing and manuscript, 1 x black fine point pen

Related Links

• SoundtrackNet
• Film Music Network
• Film Sound.org