Music for Digital Media Module Guide
Module Title: Music for Digital Media
Module Code: AF230 006D
Location of Delivery: Cambridge
Pathway: Creative Music Technology
Workshop/Lecture: 11am to 1pm, Mondays at Hel 040 and Hel 041. Even Weeks: Tuesdays 9:30-10:30 at Cos117.
Module Leader and Tutor: Julio d’Escrivan
Cambridge / Helmore Building / Room 242
Extension: 2978
Email: julio.d’escrivan@anglia.ac.uk
Module Description
Music for Digital Media allows students the opportunity, with the aid of appropriate technology, to compose and realise original music to accompany a film, video or other type of digital moving or still image. Students may either work with supplied material, or with other students undertaking complementary work within media production modules. A range of techniques will be examined, together with a consideration of approaches to film and image music composition from selected commercial and non-commercial film composers. These approaches will be examined by undertaking a series of practical exercises designed to acquaint students with a range of techniques. A consideration of appropriate digital image editing software will allow students to understand better how their music will fit in the overall scenario of audiovisual collaboration. Further exercises will allow students to create works of interactive video manipulation by using musical input and appropriate software. Students will provide their collected exercises in a portfolio in digital format for viewing on computer, digital film projector or video; at least two of these exercises will be a ‘self-briefed’ soundtrack to original images (manipulating these images by musical ways or synchronising music to these images). Students will be encouraged to demonstrate autonomy in problem solving and creativity by availing themselves of the necessary tools to realise the exercises. Appropriate management of learning resources will be evident from this. The module portfolio is accompanied by a brief critical evaluation that should place the student’s work in the context of current trends in film music writing as well as providing a basis for the students own criteria and judgement.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the student will be expected to be able to:
1. identify key elements of the creative rationale for the composition of music for film or digital image;
2. Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the possible relationships of music and digital images with the use of interactive software.
3. Effectively use a range of computer-based equipment to compose and synchronise music with film or digital image;
4. Define criteria to be met by their own work and that of others whilst identifying the appropriate tools needed to carry out the work with a minimum of guidance.
Outline Delivery
All details of the delivery, content and assessment are detailed on the lesson plan
Attendance Requirements
Students are expected to attend all teaching sessions on the courses for which they have registered. Practical projects, rehearsals and ensemble performances are collaborative in their nature and require full attendance. Students taking practical and performance modules should be aware that at certain times a more intensive commitment is required which must be balanced against other life and work commitments. You will be notified of these extra rehearsals as far in advance as possible.
If you need to be away from classes for an extended period, it is very important that you inform your Student Adviser, and that you complete a ‘mitigating circumstances’ form.
Please see the notes on ‘Attendance’ in the Anglia Ruskin Undergraduate Student Handbook for full University regulations.
To be effectively prepared for a teaching session, you should:
- have completed all the set reading or other prescribed work as described in the course handbook or as set by your lecturer
- have your own copy of the required text or other material
- bring adequate writing materials for taking notes
- be wearing appropriate clothing, especially for rehearsals and performance workshops
- arrive mentally and physically prepared for the session
International students who are non-EEA nationals and in possession of entry clearance/leave to remain as a student (student visa) are required to be in regular attendance at Anglia Ruskin. Failure to do so is considered to be a breach of the immigration regulations. From the academic year 2008/09 onwards, Anglia Ruskin is required to inform the Border and Immigration Agency (Home Office) of significant unauthorised absences by any student visa holders.
Attendance for Group and Collaborative Work
For modules that include collaborative practical work, especially those leading to live performance events, there is an especial necessity for full and punctual attendance. Poor attendance and/or engagement inevitably has a detrimental affect on the work of your fellow students and will hinder their achievement, as well as your own.
If you are unable to attend a particular rehearsal, class or workshop you should inform your Module Leader or the Department Administrator immediately, and in advance of the class wherever possible. All members of staff have voicemail and email. You will then be entered on the register as an ‘explained absence’. Failure to do this will mean that you will be marked ‘unexplained absent’.
Absence for reasons of external work commitments, timetable clashes or time mismanagement will not be accepted.
You should be aware that poor attendance and/or lack of commitment will inevitably affect your ability to meet module learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard, and consequently your marks may be affected.
Assessment
Your final portfolio submission consists of:
* All Music for film/video, set scoring exercises and the jitter patches that have been reflected/published on the blog (all exercises must be accounted for).
* Your selection of the three best tasks, which must include one of the jitter tasks, on a DVD showreel (this will be explained in class).
Your final date will be:
Although tasks should be posted on the blog as indicated in the lesson plan above, the DVD showreel should be handed in at the end of the module, Tuesday 12th of May, before 5pm, at the i-Centre.
The marking weight of the portfolio will be:
100%
The Marking scheme will be:
0-100, you need 40 or above to pass. The 3 tasks submitted will be marked out of 25, for a total of 75%. The remaining 25% is the mark for your blog development and participation in the module’s blog community (keeping your blog up to date, commenting on fellow students’ work, etc).
The tasks from which you will choose your representative portfolio items are briefed in class according to the lesson plan above, here are the briefs again:
Task 1: Create an alternative soundtrack for a chosen 1′ segment within the intro to Bergman’s Persona. You will be supplied with the QT Movie. Discuss your process on your blog.
Task 2: Score a set animation. You will be supplied with the QT Movie. Be aware of key ideas from recommended texts when blogging this task.
Task 3: To score a commercial. Be aware of key ideas from recommended texts when writing your report for the task. You can incorporate a jingle into your piece if you so wish.
Task 4: score incidental music for the film scene given in class. Be aware of key ideas from recommended texts when writing your report for the task.
Task 5: According to the instructions given in week 8, create a sound design on the chosen movie segment. You will provide your own. Be aware of key ideas from recommended texts when blogging your report for the task.
Task 6: Create a short musical interpretation of a set painting, according to guidelines/rules you set previously, they must be easily verifiable by ear to anybody who reads them and wants to follow them. This will be explained fully in class, so it is essential that you are here and not rely simply on this text! You should write an account of your conceptual process on your blog.
Task 7: Make a Jitter patch: use colour value changes to trigger musical events by using counters and soundfiles or synths.
Task 8 Make a Jitter Patch in which you will create a short interactivity process of music to video. It can be music or video led, but the interactivity must take place through jitter.
Task 9: Compile all your work together in a DVD showreel-style presentation
Task 10: Compile an overview of the music for media market and blog it
Tasks will be handed in for discussion on the HEL040 classroom server DEPOT, then posted on the blog. Please make sure you are very familiar with the outline programme lesson plan above. The tutor will aim to provide constant feedback on the tasks handed in.
You will be given feedback in class and via comments to your blog. Not every piece that you publish will be commented on by the tutor because your issues may be covered by comments to a previous blog entry or to a student who publishes first or raises the issue in class. However, ALL your items will be viewed and the examined upon hand in and you must be aware of feedback given to other students in class or via blog comments. You are also expected to comment on other students’ blog items.
The criteria used for assessing your work will be those for artifact creation and written work.
The final portfolio must be submitted by Tuesday 12th of May 2009, before 5pm at the i-Centre of the Cambridge Campus (on the ground floor of Rackham building, opposite the garden square between Helmore and the Library).
Assessment Criteria and Marking Standards
Anglia Ruskin University Generic Assessment Criteria
Please consult your student pathway handbook for details about Anglia Ruskin’s generic assessment criteria and policy. This information can also be found under the Student section of ANET.
Module Specific Assessment Criteria
In addition to Anglia Ruskin’s generic assessment criteria, your work will also be marked against module-specific assessment criteria. Assessment tasks for this module will be marked against the marking criteria for Artefact Creation and Written Work, which are available under the Student Resources section of the departmental web site at: www.anglia.ac.uk/mpa.
Assessment Offences
You are reminded that any work that you submit must be your own. All suspected assessment offences will be investigated and can result in severe penalties. Please note that it is your responsibility to consult the relevant sections of the Academic Regulations (section 10) and the Student Handbook.
Module Definition Form
The Module Definition Form for AF230 006D – Music For Digital Media can be found by clicking here.
Learning Resources
All details of the learning resources for this module are given in the Resources section of this web site.
Report of Last Delivery of Module
The report of the last delivery of AF230 006D – Music For Digital Media can be found by clicking here.
