Composition for Film and Video Games is designed to give students the knowledge and skills required to compose, mix and produce music for film and video games.  Students will analyse and examine a wide range of musical styles and approaches to scoring and learn the compositional techniques which provide the foundation of these styles.  Course work includes the analysis of music in the context of the visual image, the use of technology in scoring and a history and development of multimedia composition to the present day.  Students will be composing original pieces to a variety of dramatic visual media.   

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. compose original music to visual media;
2. complete professional quality mixes using Logic Pro X software;
3. aurally recognize and theoretically analyze music in its relationship to the visual image; and
4. communicate and articulate their creative decisions.

Required Resources

Resources, including weekly readings, will be made available via the course website.

Recommended Resources

Information regarding weekly readings and set listening will be posted on the course website. Further texts, papers, journals, websites, library materials, audios, videos will be given during the semester.

Recommended Texts

Adler, Samuel. The Study of Orchestration. 3rd ed. New York: W.W. Norton, 2002.

Brant, Henry. Textures and Timbres: An Orchestrator’s Handbook. New York: Carl Fischer Music, 2009.

Dobbins, Bill. Jazz Arranging and Composing: A Linear Approach. Rottenburg. Germany:

Gould, Elaine. Behind Bars: The Definitive Guide to Music Notation. London: Faber and Faber, 2011.

Paul Griffiths, Modern Music and After (Oxford University Press Inc, New York, third ed. 2010)

Vince Corozine, Arranging Music for the Real World, Classical and Commercial Aspects (USA: Mel Bay Publications, 2002)

Russell Garcia, The Professional Arranger Composer,(New York: Criterion, Music Corp, 1954)

Additional web resources:

•  Complete Guide to Film Scoring (Berklee Guide) – Richard Davis guides you through the entire film music industry from preparing scores, contracts, fees, royalties, timeframes – its a great introduction to the film music industry.
• Advanced Techniques for Film Scoring (Book and CD) – Although it has some slightly out dated information on equipment and production techniques, this book still has some great information on advanced compositional techniques along with some written examples.
• On the Track: A Guide to Contemporary Film Scoring – Although fairly expensive, this book is great. Full of helpful information about orchestration, timing, rhythm, harmony, and how to create your own sound for a movie. Also contains over 100 great interviews.
• The Reel World: Scoring For Pictures-Updated And Revised Edition (Music Pro Guides) – Again, this is a great book outlining the overall industry, including how to create relationships with others, how to do a spotting session, how to setup your studio etc. Plenty of great information in here.

Staff Feedback

Verbal feedback will be provided during seminars on the weekly topics. Formal written feedback will be provided following the completion of assessments. Informal feedback, via consultation with the Course Convenor, is available throughout the semester.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Lecture: Motives, Dissonance and Voice Leading	Tutorial participation Ongoing assessment of selected tasks.
2	Lecture: Construction of 4 bar Antecedent Phrases	Tutorial participation Ongoing assessment of selected tasks.
3	Lecture: Construction of 4 bar Consequent Phrases	Tutorial participation Ongoing assessment of selected tasks.
4	Lecture: Lord of the Rings	Tutorial participation Ongoing assessment of selected tasks.
5	Lecture: Star Wars	Tutorial participation Ongoing assessment of selected tasks.
6	Guest Lecture TBA	Tutorial participation Ongoing assessment of selected tasks.
7	Lecture: Construction of 24 bar ABA Form	Tutorial participation Ongoing assessment of selected tasks.
8	Lecture: The Influence of Wagner	Tutorial participation Ongoing assessment of selected tasks.
9	Lecture: Countermelody	Tutorial participation Ongoing assessment of selected tasks.
10	Lecture: Passacaglia	Tutorial participation Ongoing assessment of selected tasks.
11	Lecture: Ostinato	Tutorial participation Ongoing assessment of selected tasks.
12	Guest Lecture TBA	Tutorial participation Ongoing assessment of selected tasks.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Creative Project 1	30 %	30/08/2021	30/09/2021	1, 2, 3
Final Creative Project	40 %	08/11/2021	01/12/2021	1, 2, 3
Research Paper	30 %	08/11/2021	01/12/2021	3, 4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Creative Project 1

The student will compose eight 8 bar melodies which demonstrate AAAB, ABAB, ABAC and ABBC motive forms as well as consequent phrases (2nd4 bars) which are direct, varied and transposed repetitions of the antecedent phrase (1st4 bars).  Five of the melodies should be in minor keys and three in major keys. Four of the melodies should be in 4/4 time and two in 3/4 time and two in 6/8 time.  Each of the melodies should be realized in MIDI.

All notated melodies should be either a single stave with treble clef melody and chord symbols above or in two staves with chords and melody above. All melodies should be submitted as a single PDF not a zip file.

All audio for the melodies should be submitted in one mp3 file.

Assessment criteria:

[25]Proper resolution of dissonance. 

[25]Demonstration of assigned motive forms and phrase construction.

[25]Quality of the thematic material

• [25]Quality of the recording, mixing and midi orchestration.

Assessment Task 2

Final Creative Project

The student will compose three 24 measure ABA forms which include the use of countermelodies and one 24 measure Passacaglia. 

Each of the melodies should be realized in MIDI. Both a PDF of the score to the melody and chords only as well as an mp3 of the MIDI file should be submitted for assessment. Please do not upload Zip files.

Assessment criteria:

 [25]Proper resolution of dissonance. 

[25]Demonstration of assigned motive forms and phrase construction.

[25]Quality of the thematic material

[25]Quality of the recording, mixing and midi orchestration.

Assessment Task 3

Research Paper

Word limit 2000 word minimum.

Value: 30%

Presentation requirements: Written document

Estimated return date: Exam week 2

 The exegesis will have two parts.  In the first part, the student will write a detailed aesthetic response to the music they have written during the course. This will include reflection on the processes and artistic choices made, the style of orchestration and composition, and the relationship of the newly written works to established composers and film composers. In essence this is the point where the student identifies their sound and is able to articulate how and why that sound is made. Students should include a brief analysis of one of their ABA pieces and identify specific composers and pieces which influenced them in their compositional process. In the second part of the exegesis the student will write about a composer who has influenced them.  This part should be both biographical and analytical.

 Assessment criteria:

 [25] Ability to do a detailed analysis. 

[25] Ability to respond to the aesthetic and technical choices of the score.

[25] Sense of context in relating this work to established film scores and processes.

• [25] Quality of the written expression and attribution of ideas and concepts.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students