Composing for Film and Video Games gives 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. demonstrate the ability to compose original music to visual media;
2. demonstrate the ability to produce complete professional quality mixes using industry standard software;
3. aurally recognise and critically analyse music in its relationship to the visual image; and
4. demonstrate a critical understanding of their creative decisions and their broader context within the medium.

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). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Motives, Dissonance and Voice Leading	Ongoing assessment of selected tasks.
2	Construction of the Primary Phrase	Ongoing assessment of selected tasks.
3	Lord of the Rings Score Analysis	Ongoing assessment of selected tasks.
4	Construction of Secondary Phrase	Ongoing assessment of selected tasks.
5	Star Wars Score Analysis	Ongoing assessment of selected tasks.
6	The Influence of Wagner	Ongoing assessment of selected tasks.
7	Construction of the ABA Form	Ongoing assessment of selected tasks.
8	Bernard Herrmann Score Analysis	Ongoing assessment of selected tasks.
9	Countermelody	Ongoing assessment of selected tasks.
10	The Passacaglia	Ongoing assessment of selected tasks.
11	The Ostinato	Ongoing assessment of selected tasks.
12	Guest Lecture TBA	Ongoing assessment of selected tasks.

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Creative Project 1	30 %	11/09/2026	28/09/2026	1, 2, 3
Final Creative Project	40 %	13/11/2026	30/11/2026	1, 2, 3
Research Paper	30 %	13/11/2026	30/11/2026	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 Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

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 Academic Skills 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 ‘Canvas’ 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

Compose four 8-bar melodies, each demonstrating one of the following primary phrase motive forms:

• AAAB
• ABAB
• ABAC
• ABBC

Each melody must be written in two versions. In the first version, the secondary phrase (bars 5–8) must be a direct repetition of the primary phrase (bars 1–4). In the second version, the secondary phrase (bars 5–8) must be a modified repetition of the primary phrase (bars 1–4).

Each melody must also be realised in MIDI.

Submission Requirements

• Submit all notated melodies as a single PDF (do not submit a ZIP file).
• Notation should be presented in either:
• a single staff with a treble clef melody and chord symbols above the staff, or
• two staves with the melody on the upper staff and chord symbols above.
• Submit the audio for each melody as MP3 files.

Assessment Criteria

• Proper resolution of dissonance.
• Accurate demonstration of the assigned motive forms and phrase construction.
• Quality and originality of the thematic material.

Assessment Task 2

Final Creative Project

The student will compose a total of three 24-measure pieces: two 24-measure ABA forms incorporating countermelodies, and one 24-measure passacaglia.

Each piece must be realised in MIDI. Submit a single PDF containing the scores (melody and chord symbols only) for all four pieces, together with MP3 recordings of the MIDI realizations. Please do not upload ZIP files.

Assessment Criteria

• Proper resolution of dissonance.
• Demonstration of the assigned motive forms, phrase construction, and formal design.
• Effective use of countermelodies (where applicable).
• Quality and originality of the thematic material.
• Quality of the MIDI realization, orchestration, and mix.

Assessment Task 3

Research Paper

Word limit: 1,000–1,500 words

Presentation requirements: Written document

The exegesis will combine biographical research with musical analysis. Students will select a film or video game composer and, following a brief biographical overview, undertake a thematic analysis of 48 measures of the composer's music.

The 48 measures may comprise any combination of musical excerpts, for example:

• two 24-measure ABA themes;
• one 24-measure ABA theme and three 8-measure melodies; or
• six 8-measure melodies.

The analysis should examine the composer's use of:

• motives;
• phrase structure;
• period and thematic construction; and
• formal organisation.

Annotated musical examples (sheet music) must be included and discussed within the paper.

The exegesis will be graded using the following criteria:

• Ideas and critical insight.
• Organisation and coherence.
• Support through the use of appropriate sources and citations.
• Style and mechanics.
• Accuracy of musical analysis.
• Appropriate use of class terminology.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

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 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

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted 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 Accessibility 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 supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students