SCORING COURSES

MUS-K 455/555 – Topics in Music Scoring for Visual Media: Advanced Scoring

Fall: “Short Form”; Spring: “Long Form”: 3 credits.   9:45-11:00am TR, M 373 (JS328)

A course designed for composition and scoring majors and minors, and others with significant composing and/or arranging skills.

In-depth study and practice of the dramatic art of scoring original music to picture. Participants will compose, produce demos, and orchestrate original music to a variety of media samples; such as Film, Television, and Gaming. Ancillary lectures and discussions will include the current business climate in Hollywood and the skill sets one would need to pursue a career as a media composer. The semester will culminate in a recording session of multiple scenes you will have written over the semester.

Technical recommendations:
Though there will be a workstation with software available for student use, it is suggested that students own or have at their disposal use of:
1) Digital Audio Workstation (DAW, sequencer)
2) Sound library (orchestral library, softsynth, extras as desired)

For scoring MAJORS: suggested minimum personal computer and software resources.

Examples:
1) Digital Performer, Logic, Pro Tools, or CuBase
2) Orchestral: Spitfire, East/West, Cinesamples, Vienna, etc.; SYNTH: Omnisphere, Absynth, etc.

Packages may be available with student discounts.

MUS-K 455/555 – Topics in Music Scoring for Visual Media: Synthestration 1

Fall semesters: 3 Credits.  1:00-2:15pm  WF, ESB328

This course is designed for music majors that want to improve their MIDI demo skills.

In-depth study and practice of creating strong MIDI realizations of concert music, media and film music, and many other genres. Through the use of sample libraries and DAW techniques, participants will translate their Sibelius/Finale scores, or DAW exclusive compositions, into superior sounding audio demos. Additional study of signal processing techniques and demo mixing will be explored along with current industry-standard workflows.

Technical recommendations:
Though there will be a master workstation with software available for student use, it is suggested that students own or have at their disposal use of:
1) Digital Audio Workstation (DAW, sequencer)
2) Sound library (orchestral library, softsynth, extras as desired)

For scoring MAJORS: suggested minimum personal computer and software resources.

P: Permission of instructor and demonstrated background in MIDI and composition.

Contact Professor Thomas with questions about Synthestration and tech/sample libraries.

MUS-K 455/555 – Topics in Music Scoring for Visual Media: Synthestration 2

Spring semesters: 3 Credits.  11:30-12:45pm  T TH, ESB328

This course is designed for composers, audio engineers, and filmmakers that want to experience more complex score mixing, workflows, and challenges in the music for picture production process.

Synthestration 2 will provide hands-on projects that will teach you how to: organize and manage longer form projects that contain many music cues – such as films and episodic TV; map out the music for picture with spotting notes; use Pro Tools to plan and prepare for a live film music recording session that uses video, custom click tracks and stems; use iZotope RX to cleanup live recordings or production audio; use advanced MIDI and sound design techniques to create or enhance electronic/hybrid scores; mix and deliver a film score; create and submit critical industry standard cue sheets to performance rights organizations; and so on.

Technical recommendations:
Though there will be a master workstation with software available for student use, it is suggested that students own or have at their disposal use of:
1) Digital Audio Workstation (DAW, sequencer): Pro Tools preferred, but not required.
2) Sound library (orchestral library, softsynth, extras as desired)
3) Ability to record live instruments or ambient sounds w/ a DAW or portable recorder.

Contact Professor Thomas with questions about Synthestration and tech/sample libraries.

MUS-K 455/555 – Topics in Music Scoring for Visual Media: Orchestration for the Screen

Spring semesters: 1.5 Credits. 1:00-2:15pm MF, ESB328

This modular spring semester course (Jan. 13 – March 14) is designed for music majors that want to improve and understand the techniques of orchestration for picture. In-depth study and practice of creating current industry-standard practices in Hybrid Orchestration for media, film, TV, and game music. Transforming MIDI-based scores into Sibelius/Finale scores, as well as techniques for special doubling and overdub pass recording are explored, as well as how to interface with the composer’s team and preparedness for final timely delivery of materials for recording. Taught by Hollywood professional orchestrator Brad Ritchie (Supergirl, The Flash, Black Klansman, La-La Land, First Man — IMDB listing).

Technical recommendations:
It is suggested that students own or have at their disposal the use of 1) Digital Audio Workstation (DAW, sequencer) and 2) sound library (orchestral library, softsynth, extras as desired). P: Permission of instructor and demonstrated background in MIDI, composition, and orchestration. Contact Professor Groupé with any questions.

MUS-K 455/555 – Topics in Music Scoring for Visual Media: Music Licensing and Monetization

Spring semesters: 1.5 Credits. 1:00-2:15pm MF, ESB328

This modular spring semester course (Mar. 23 – May 1) is an in-depth study and practice of creating current industry trends in music licensing for film, TV, and other media. Understanding how production, music library, composing, and production is done. How to navigate the Ad pitch and song requests that come out almost daily form Advertisers and TV/Film placement firms. Understanding how Synch licenses work, who owns the publishing? How to submit Cue sheets for performing rights purposes and so on. Taught by career producer and licensing expert at Mutiny Records, Ryan Fitch.

Technical recommendations:
It is suggested that students own or have at their disposal the use of 1) Digital Audio Workstation (DAW, sequencer) and 2) sound library (orchestral library, softsynth, extras as desired). P: Permission of instructor and demonstrated background in MIDI, composition, and orchestration. Contact Professor Groupé with any questions.

MUS-K 302/502 – Independent Study in Music Scoring for Visual Media

1-3 credits, depending on the scope of the project. (“Double Exposure” is 1 credit)

P: Permission of instructor. Contact Professor Groupé with any questions.

K560 – Episodic Television Writing – on site in Los Angeles

This 8 weeks course, first 8 weeks of the spring semester, will be taught in Los Angeles by top television composer Rick Marvin.

This immersive professional experience is similar to a work study program. Students will need to cover their travel and lodging expenses while there.

There is a limited number of seats to be in this course, it is competitive, and there is an application process.

Along with weekly in-studio mentoring of episodic TV writing assignments, students will also be engaging in weekly field trips to a variety of industry related events. Such as, visiting a large scoring session at Sony, Fox, Warner Bros or other stages. Visits to other working composers and their studios, guest visits from music professionals in a variety of fields, tours of Ascap and BMI, film festival screenings, and more.

Currently the course is only available to M.M. students in the Scoring for Visual Media Degree program, and those students must first complete both Short Form, Long Form and Synthestration 1 as prerequisites.

Permission to be authorized, after completing the above, will be given by the scoring program director.

MUS-F 444 / MUS-F 544 / MUS-X 420 Small Ensembles

1 credit elective. Wednesday evenings or Friday evenings.   7:15-9:15pm, Mac 066

The IU Scoring Ensemble provides the opportunity for IU musicians to perform music live to picture and learn more about the craft of studio session recording. The ensemble will meet tutti approximately every two weeks on either Wednesday evenings or Friday evenings 7:15-9:15pm, Mac 066. We will avoid orchestra concerts and other large ensemble conflicts in our scheduling.

The course is an elective 1 credit per semester and can be repeated for as many semesters as desired.

https://blogs.iu.edu/jsomscoring/scoring-ensemble/iu-scoring-ensemble-course-description/

Please contact Professor Groupé with any questions.