Composition for Film and Television 1 - MUS00129M

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Module summary

This module develops your familiarity with musical and technical issues in the composition of music for film and TV.

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Semester 1 2025-26

Module aims

This module aims to introduce core elements of the practice of scoring for film and television through the observation and analysis of cues within a storyline, alongside a development of skills pertaining to technical aspects of music for screen composition including the creative use of DAWs and mixing and mastering. You will learn to read the emotional contours of a film, and how to apply those emotions to the music. The module is structured around regular seminars and individual tutorials across the semester.

The submission is a portfolio of short pieces that demonstrate a range of approaches and may include responses to a selection of different genres, such as horror, drama, comedy and sci-fi that shows engagement with appropriate styles.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, you should:

• have developed an understanding about appropriate spotting;
• have developed a deeper awareness of music’s function in screen composition;
• have developed some knowledge of how to work with DAWs;
• have developed knowledge of working methods in the industry

Indicative assessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

Portfolio of creative work responding to three different genres with concise commentary of c.1000 words (100%). Total duration of music will normally be in the range c.7-12 minutes.

Indicative reassessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100

Module feedback

You will receive written feedback inline with standard University turnaround times.

Indicative reading

TBC