Composing for Visual Media

Bachelor of Music - 189 Credits

Competency: Literacy
Course Number: GE-100
Credits: 3

Course Description
Understanding the writing process with proper use of grammar and APA formatting are usable and integral skills of college students. Planning, preparing, writing, and editing will be important aspects of this course and students can expect to develop their skills within narrative, descriptive, expository, and persuasive essays. A focus on APA formatting will be essential for this course. Supporting evidence and research for these essays will be conducted from articles, journals, and books pertaining to musical topics such as genre, artists, theory, and history. Music students will be able to explore their musical topics of interest and use their composition skills to demonstrate their ability to effectively communicate in writing. This course consists of a weekly, three hour lecture.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
MUS-1000
Credits: 3

Course Description
Applied Theory Lab 1 consists of five primary elements: Music theory, ear training, basic piano, sight singing and music notation. The class will cover the fundamentals of all the aforementioned elements. Some of the topics covered will be major keys/scales, intervals, transposition, sight-reading, and hand notation skills. Ear training components will consist of melodic, rhythmic and interval dictation. The students will sit at a workstation with a computer and piano keyboard. The dissemination of the material will be interactive and hands on. The ear training, sight singing, piano and notation are all used in such a way as to reinforce the music theory goals for the course. This course consist of four weekly, one-hour labs.

Competency: Music Tech
Course Number: 
PROD-1000
Credits: 3

Course Description
In Pro Tools 100 students explore introductory level Pro Tools hardware and software functionality while studying the supplementary coursework provided. Through studying the basic Pro Tools principles, students gain the skills needed to complete a Pro Tools project from initial set-up to final mix-down. Whether the project involves recording live instruments, MIDI sequencing of software synthesizers, or audio looping, this course provides the basic skills needed to succeed. At the conclusion of this course students will be given the official Pro Tools 100 certification exams. This course consists of a weekly, two hour lecture and two-hours of lab. This course may be taken as an elective.

Competency: Literacy
Course Number: 
PROD-105
Credits: 4

Course Description
This course provides the opportunity to see, study, and discuss the works of composers of the past, as well as many working in the current day. Through these studies, students gain an appreciation of how difficult and rewarding a career in composition may be. This course consists of two, weekly two-hour lectures.

Competency: Music Tech
Course Number: 
PROD-127
Credits: 2

Course Description
Harmony and Voice Leading for the Media Composer, with practical applications and examples from Film, Television, and Video Games. As a focused extension of Theory Labs, first elements of Harmony will be discussed, including scales and intervals, triads and four part writing. Harmonic progressions in the major and minor modes. Dominant Harmony, and Modes. All presented with examples from films scores from John Williams, Brian Tyler, Hans Zimmer, John Powell, and others to show their use in composing for visual media including film, television, and videogames. This course meets once weekly, for a two-hour lecture.

Competency: Music Tech
Course Number: 
PROD-230
Credits: 3

Course Description
This class explores the vast options of Logic Pro X. This DAW puts a complete recording and MIDI production studio on your Mac, with everything a pro musician needs to write, record, edit, mix, and notate like never before. All in an intuitive interface that puts the tools you need right where you need them. The course focuses on the creative aspects of using this DAW with an emphasis on scoring applications. There are numerous creative projects culminating to creating a fully produced score. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture and two-hour lab.

QUARTER SUMMARY

Competencies Covered: Literacy, Musicianship, & Music Technology.

Total Credits: 18

Competency: Literacy
Course Number: 
GE-101
Credits: 3

Course Description
Thinking critically is a logical art of understanding how to evaluate circumstances, judgments, situations, and texts. Escaping ambiguity within writing and deterring from fallacy within logic is this course’s objective. Critical thinking in combination with English composition offers dynamic features that include professional writing of resumes, business letters, and proposals. The grammatical concepts learned in English 100 will be emphasized and applied and MLA citation format will be introduced. Music students will be able to explore how to effectively use critical thinking skills and composition while working within the music industry. Topics include philosophical, psychological, historical, and social approaches to thinking critically. Effectively knowing how to critically think allows for successful communication and logical problem solving in a student’s career and everyday life. This course consists of a weekly, three-hour lecture.

Prerequisite: GE-100: English Composition

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
MUS-1001
Credits: 3

Course Description
Applied Theory Lab 2 continues with the five primary elements of Applied Theory 1. Diatonic harmony, chord construction and progressions as well as chromaticism are introduced. Added requirements for ear training will be chord progression and chord recognition dictation. Students are asked to perform on the piano all ear training material to better comprehend the information. Computer notation is introduced. This course consist of four weekly, one-hour labs.

Prerequisite: Applied Theory Lab 1.

Competency: Music Tech
Course Number: 
PROD-1001
Credits: 3

Course Description
Pro Tools 110 continues building on the concepts learned in Pro Tools 100. Students focus on the key concepts and skills needed to operate a Pro Tools system, and provides the foundation for later post-production courses within the program. At the conclusion of both levels, students will be given the official Pro Tools 100 and 110 certification exams. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture and two-hours of lab. This course may be taken as an elective

Prerequisite: Pro Tools 100.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
PROD-100
Credits: 3

Course Description
This class is specific to composing for the genre of drama, and explores the style and language needed for this genre. Students examine notable music from the past, as well as what to expect in the future. This course is taught by an expert in the drama field, and includes extensive hands on experience. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture and two-hour lab.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
PROD-111
Credits: 3

Course Description
This three level course provides students with the chance to learn and experience the nuance and craft of writing for film. In levels 1 & 2, students are given a variety of films and television shows to compose for, while having a working professional guide them and provide constructive criticism of their work. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture and two-hour lab.

Prerequisite: Students must complete each level in order to continue into the subsequent level of the course. 

Competency: Music Tech
Course Number: 
PROD-205
Credits: 2

Course Description
This course primarily focuses on technique, but also provides a creative look at how to solve musical problems. Many times composers must deal with last minute changes to scenes. In this situation, and if there is no music editor provided for the project, being able to deal with these problems is an invaluable tool for composers. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture. This course may be taken as an elective.

QUARTER SUMMARY

Competencies Covered: Literacy, Musicianship, & Music Technology.

Total Credits: 17

Competency: Literacy
Course Number: 
GE-200
Credits: 4

Course Description
Effective communication is a necessity for any industry and is used as a fundamental tool that connects individuals and determines the quality of an interaction. This course will provide music students with an applied knowledge of how to improve communication skills with others for their future success as music professionals. Some of the topics that will be covered are communication styles, listening skills, providing and processing feedback, metacognitive reflections and cognitive communication, and interpersonal, non-verbal, and verbal communication. Special attention will be paid to the relevancy of this course to students’ interactions with other music professionals. Major course assignments will provide practical applications for music students to demonstrate the speaking and listening skills they’ve acquired for their careers. Topics in this course will be relevant to music students’ needs and interests. This course consists of two weekly, two-hour lectures.

Prerequisite: GE-101: English Composition & Critical Thinking

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
MUS-1002
Credits: 3

Course Description
Applied Theory 3 continues to build on the five primary elements of Applied Theory 1 and 2. Minor keys/scales, modes, progressions in major and minor tonality, modulation, constitutes some of the new information in Applied Theory 3. Melodies, rhythms, intervals, progressions, chord qualities continue to grow in complexity as we move through these upper levels of Applied Theory 3. This course consist of four weekly, one-hour labs.

Prerequisite: Applied Theory Lab 2. 

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
PROD-101
Credits: 3

Course Description
This class is specific to composing for the genre of comedy, and explores the style and language needed for this genre. Students examine notable music from the past, as well as what to expect in the future. This course is taught by an expert in the comedy field, and includes extensive hands on experience. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture and lab

Competency: Instrument
Course Number: 
PROD-103
Credits: 2

Course Description
This class provides students a chance to closely examine the work of a film composer chosen by them. Films will be viewed during class, students will be asked to discuss the composer’s work, and will replicate a piece of his/her score. By examining the music in-depth, students are able to learn exactly how the composer achieved what he/she did. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture.

Competency: Music Tech
Course Number: 
PROD-107
Credits: 2

Course Description
Level 1 of this course serves as an introduction to MIDI and virtual instrument-based composition using a digital audio workstation (Pro Tools). Students are taught both the best practices and the workings of MIDI systems, which subsequently lays the groundwork for their own MIDI-based productions. This course consists of a weekly, one-hour lecture and two-hour lab. This course may be taken as an elective.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number:
PROD-112
Credits: 3

Course Description
This three level course provides students with the chance to learn and experience the nuance and craft of writing for film. In levels 1 & 2, students are given a variety of films and television shows to compose for, while having a working professional guide them and provide constructive criticism of their work. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture and two-hour lab.

Prerequisite: Students must complete each level in order to continue into the subsequent level of the course.

QUARTER SUMMARY

Competencies Covered: Music Technology, Literacy, Musicianship & Instrument.

Total Credits: 17

Competency: Literacy
Course Number: GE-306
Credits: 4

Course Description
This is a compact and focused course of Physics with special emphasis on Motion, Waves and Sound/Voice. Topics cover Motion, Newton’s Laws, Energy, Temperature and Heat, Electromagnetism and Electromagnetic Waves, and understanding the elements, mechanisms and the dynamism of Waves and Sound. This course consists of two weekly, two-hour lectures.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
MUS-2000
Credits: 3

Course Description
Applied Theory 4 continues to build on the five primary elements of Applied Theory 1, 2 and 3. Tri-tone substitutions, composition, atonal music, modal interchange and secondary dominants are some of the new concepts in Applied Theory 4. Upon completion of Applied Theory 4, the student should arrive at level of musicianship expected of a working professional. This course consist of four weekly, one-hour labs.

Prerequisite: Applied Theory 3. 

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
PROD-204
Credits: 3

Course Description
This class is specific to composing for the genre of video games, and explores the style and language needed for this genre. Students examine notable music from the past, as well as what to expect in the future. This course is taught by an expert in the video games field, and includes extensive hands on experience. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture and two-hour lab.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
PROD-207
Credits: 3

Course Description
Some writing projects simply do not have the budget to pay for musicians. In these instances, the composer must be able to create a convincing, moving score by himself/herself. This class explores successful electronic writing, and allows students to create works using the concepts and techniques studied. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture and two-hour lab.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: PROD-213
Credits: 3

Course Description
The final course in the series provides students with the chance to learn and experience the nuance and craft of writing for film. Students are given a variety of films and television shows to compose for, while having a working professional guide them and provide constructive criticism of their work. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture and two-hour lab.

QUARTER SUMMARY

Competencies Covered: Literacy & Musicianship

Total Credits: 16

Competency: Literacy
Course Number: 
GE-202
Credits: 3

Course Description
Compared to many other nations, the United States is relatively young; however, this doesn’t mean that this country’s history, with its interesting figures, significant events, and transformative shifts in ideology, doesn’t offer an important perspective students can use when making sense of our nation’s past and its influence on contemporary society. This course begins with a brief look at the Country post-Civil War, and when quickly moves into a more in depth examination of the country from the Industrial era through WWII. The course ends with a critical discussion of the country during the 1950s post-war era, a time that many people fondly recall as America’s golden age, but students will learn to view in a more nuanced light. Throughout this course, the nation’s social, economic, and cultural climate will be discussed from a historical context and our nation’s diverse populations and their historical experiences will be emphasized. This course consists of two weekly, one and a half hour lectures.

Prerequisite: GE-101: English Composition & Critical Thinking

Competency: Entrepreneurship
Course Number: 
COMP-207
Credits: 2

Course Description
This course focuses on music publishing with an introduction to the various income sources found in the music industry. Topics include: choosing between BMI and ASCAP, how to protect your song or song performance through copyright, recording artist deals and record companies production deals and song splits, mechanical and sync licensing, as well as understanding the varying types of common publishing deals. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
MUS-2001
Credits: 3

Course Description
Applied Theory 5 is project based to ensure that all the information disseminated through levels 1-4 have been completely absorbed and understood. Tasks will include piano performance, composition, transcription, orchestration, transposition, analysis and computer notation. This course consist of four weekly, one-hour labs.

Prerequisite: Applied Theory 4. 

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
MUS-416
Credits: 1

Course Description
Many composers in the “real world” choose to conduct their own works. This course teaches students the technique and knowledge needed for successful conducting, as well as provides an opportunity to conduct fellow musicians. This course consists of a weekly, one-hour lecture. This course may be taken as an elective.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
PROD-201
Credits: 2

Course Description
It is important for an underscore to be created to serve the scene. At times the music is thematic and carries an entire scene, but more often than not it is played under dialog and must not get in the way. At these times, the composer may use inner voices and movement to create interest and movement. During this course students study scores and classical examples, as well as create music that makes use of the techniques studied. This course consists of a weekly, two- hour lecture.

Competency: Entrepreneurship
Course Number: 
PROD-208
Credits: 1

Course Description
This course provides students with the chance to work with a young director on a film project. This is the opportunity for students to apply everything they have studied, to create a film score, and to have the opportunity to collaborate with another artist. This course consists of independent study.

Prerequisite: Students must complete each level in order to continue into the subsequent level of the course. 

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
PROD-210
Credits: 4

Course Description
During this course, students are guided through the process of writing and presenting musical compositions which may then be added to the LACM MUSIC library – the recorded music division of Los Angeles College of Music. LACM MUSIC works as the administrator to expose and place songs within the catalogue, which is comprised exclusively of alumni and faculty of the college. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture and two-hour lab.

QUARTER SUMMARY

Competencies Covered: Entrepreneurship, Literacy & Musicianship

Total Credits: 16

Competency: Entrepreneurship
Course Number: 
COMP-208
Credits: 2

Course Description
Building on the concepts presented in Music Business for Songwriters 1, this course will delve into the aspects of writing for varied media platforms and the practices and contracts associated with each. Topics will include: writing for music libraries, title replacement, single-song agreements, licensing deals, catalog acquisition, videogame custom composition agreements, film trailer and/or theme song composition and contracts. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture.

Prerequisite: Music Business for Songwriting 1. 

Competency: Literacy
Course Number: 
GE-403
Credits: 3

Course Description
This is a comprehensive course of basic Psychology structured upon the biological, cognitive, developmental and social foundations of human behavior. Additionally, it also covers the basic and most common mental health disorders. Topics include neuroscience, sensation and perception, motivation and emotion, learning and memory, human development, social psychology and personality. This course consists of two weekly, one and a half hour lectures.

Prerequisite: GE-100: English Composition

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
PROD-200
Credits: 3

Course Description
When you have written all there is to be written and you are done orchestrating, you come down to the finishing touches of your musical endeavor. Sometimes the little things can have the greatest impact. Adding different guitar parts, percussion passes, or synth sounds can bring a production to a different level, adding intimacy or energy to a scene with just a light touch. In this course, students experiment with the vast array of ways to do accomplish this. This course consists of a weekly, one-hour lecture and two-hour lab.

Competency: Entrepreneurship
Course Number: 
PROD-209
Credits: 1

Course Description
This course provides students with the chance to work with a young director on a film project. This is the opportunity for students to apply everything they have studied, to create a film score, and to have the opportunity to collaborate with another artist. This course consists of independent study.

Prerequisite: Students must complete each level in order to continue into the subsequent level of the course.

Competency: Music Tech
Course Number:
PROD-212
Credits: 3

Course Description
Each genre and each score must be true to itself and the film it must serve. The composer must accurately present the score, whether it is a small acoustic score, electronic, or large ensemble. This course explores the relationship between content and production. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture and two-hour lab.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number:
PROD-231
Credits: 2

Course Description
A lecture-based introduction to the instruments of the orchestra through the study of each instrument family (strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion). Learn how sound is produced on them and explore typical idiomatic scoring techniques for each one. Examine the rudiments of combining sounds to begin developing your understanding of the orchestral palette and its infnite possibilities. Coursework includes a review of music fundamentals, a primer on how to read and study an orchestral score, and assigned exercises. Apply your knowledge by composing two short pieces for small ensembles, to be played down in class or a studio recording session. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture.

Competency: Music Tech
Course Number: 
PROD-306
Credits: 3

Course Description
This class explores the vast creative options of Ableton Live. This DAW is designed for creating musical ideas, turning them into finished songs, and even taking them onto the stage. It is a fast, fun, intuitive way to make music with efficient workflow enhancements to audio improvements and a new technology called Link which works under the hood, allowing you to instantly play in perfect sync with multiple instances of Live as well as a growing number of iOS apps. There are numerous creative projects culminating to creating a fully produced demo of an original song. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture and two-hour lab.

QUARTER SUMMARY

Competencies Covered: Literacy, Entrepreneurship, Music Technology & Musicianship.

Total Credits: 17

Competency: Entrepreneurship
Course Number: 
COMP-301
Credits: 2

Course Description
Following Music Business for Songwriters 2, this course will cover topics including: work-for-hire agreements, understanding the Musicians Union when contracting with demo session players, common agreements with major Film and TV companies, advanced royalty allocation and distribution, when to seek an attorney or manager/agent and how to make most effective use of the relationship with each, along with catalog compilation in varied genres/formats. A study of international markets applied to royalties, copyright, and contracts will also be a focus in this course. This course will consist of one weekly two-hour lecture.

Prerequisite: Music Business for Songwriters 2. 

Competency: Literacy
Course Number: 
GE-303
Credits: 3

Course Description
Spanish 1 is an introductory course, which emphasizes the basic skill of listening comprehension and speaking ability, writing simple grammatical sentences and grammar exercises. Short reading selections emphasize new vocabulary and grammar structures. Grammar and vocabulary are used to develop the four main skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. The basics of verb usage and conjugation, greetings, numbers, professions, colors, adjectives, and phrases related to work, nationalities, family, home, and a restaurant will be covered. This course consists of two weekly, one and a half hour lectures

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
PROD-307
Credits: 3

Course Description
Student’s breakdown the different needs to accomplish the goal of achieving exceptional music for smaller budget films; how to gain resources, how to improve the audio field and stylistic differences within the genre. We will also study how to improve films that need structural help due to guerrilla style production. We will spot and score a variety of scenes in this genre to gain insights to the genre. Course is designed around the Socratic method to engage students in a vibrant process for learning and developing a case for what they understand. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture and two-hour lab.

Competency: Music Tech
Course Number: 
PROD-314
Credits: 3

Course Description
This course covers the core concepts and skills needed to operate an Avid Pro Tools | HD 12 system in a professional studio environment. This course builds on the Pro Tools Fundamentals I and II series of courses (PT101, PT110) providing intermediate and advanced-level Pro Tools concepts and techniques. Students learn to customize the configuration of Pro Tools | HD Native systems to maximize results and improve recording, editing, and mixing workflows. The hands-on exercises provide experience optimizing system resources, configuring I/O, navigating and color-coding sessions, managing session media, using advanced selection and auditioning techniques, working with clip gain, applying advanced automation techniques, creating submixes and applying parallel processing, advanced mixing and finishing techniques for a final mixdown. This course
provides the foundational training for the Avid Certified Operator: Pro Tools | Music Candidates wishing to sit either of these certification exams must have firstly passed the Avid Certified User: Pro Tools certification exam. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture and two-hour lab.

Prerequisite: Pro Tools 101, Pro Tools 110.

Competency: Entrepreneurship
Course Number: 
PROD-333
Credits: 1

Course Description
This series provides students with the chance to work with a young director on a film project. This is the opportunity for students to apply everything they have studied, to create a film score, and to have the opportunity to collaborate with another artist. This course consists of independent study.

Prerequisite: Students must complete each level in order to continue into the subsequent level of the course.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
PROD-335
Credits: 2

Course Description
This course builds on the knowledge acquired in Instrumentation, broadening the student’s understanding of how orchestral sounds work in combination with one another. Through score study of classical masterworks and examples from the film/TV world, you gain practical insight into the process of orchestral writing and techniques. Also covered are proper score layout, voicing within individual families, and how to achieve orchestral balance. You apply the techniques you’ve learned by composing two short pieces for small ensembles. These pieces will be recorded at midterm and during Finals Week. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture.

QUARTER SUMMARY

Competencies Covered: Literacy, Entrepreneurship, Music Technology & Musicianship.

Total Credits: 14

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
COMP-100
Credits: 1.5

Course Description
This course is designed to improve (or uncover) each student’s songwriting ability through a study of the craft of songwriting, and to inform their careers by focusing on the various business aspects of songwriting. Students broaden their historical perspective of songwriting through a study of definitive songwriters of popular music, while performing and recording their own compositions weekly. Melody, structure, lyrics, collaboration, and the development of a “hook” are all looked at in great detail. This course consists of a weekly one-hour lecture and one-hour lab. This course may be taken as an elective.

Prerequisite: Students must complete each level in order to continue into the subsequent level of the course. 

Competency: Entrepreneurship
Course Number: 
COMP-302
Credits: 2

Course Description
The independent songwriter must learn how to be a viable and efficient business person. This course will cover concepts of business accounting procedures and tools, state and federal tax laws for the independent contractor, business investments and growth plans, strategic partnerships with like-minded professionals and companies, corporate music opportunities and more. The course series will conclude with a practical, hands-on application of concepts in the compilation of all needed business agreement and contract templates, a complete short and long term business plan, along with a song catalog that is ready for promotion to the varied media sources addressed in Music Business for Songwriters 1-3. This course will consist of one weekly two-hour lecture.

Prerequisite: Music Business for Songwriters 3. 

Competency: Literacy
Course Number: 
GE-400
Credits: 3

Course Description
This is a comprehensive course of World Geography structured upon a World regional approach. Topics include World physical processes, regions divided and organized into Europe, Russia & the Near Abroad, Middle East, North & Sub-Saharan Africa, South & East Asia, Oceania & Antarctica, Latin America & North America (US & Canada). This course consists of a weekly, three-hour lecture.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number:
PROD-211
Credits: 2

Course Description
Keeping a score interesting, while not getting in the way of the film or dialog, requires a knowledge of how to use instruments in the most effective way for the film. This class provides students with the opportunity to explore different scores from an orchestrator’s point of view, and to experiment with different techniques to make the most cinematically effective use of the orchestra. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
PROD-309
Credits: 3

Course Description
Horror has a long lineage in film and tv and now gaming. Scoring music to horror creates unique scenarios for the film composer to accurately musically describe the scenes at hand. How does one create fear and horror with music? In this course we’ll look at various composers answers to this question in their scores, as well as my own work with composer Marco Beltrami on Cursed and Redeye. Harmonic, Orchestral, and Electronic techniques will be described in depth in this course. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture and two-hour lab.

Competency: Music Tech
Course Number: 
PROD-315
Credits: 3

Course Description
Pro Tools 210 covers techniques for working with Pro Tools systems in a professional music production environment. Concepts and skills learnt in the Pro Tools Fundamentals I (PT101), Pro Tools Fundamentals II (PT110) and Pro Tools Production I (PT201) courses are reinforced with practical music-specific examples. This course prepares candidates for the Avid Certified Operator: Pro Tools | Music certification exam. Candidates wishing to take this certification exam must have firstly passed the Avid Certified User: Pro Tools certification exam. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture and two-hour lab.

Prerequisite: PT101, PT110, PT201. 

Competency: Entrepreneurship
Course Number: 
PROD-334
Credits: 1

Course Description
This series provides students with the chance to work with a young director on a film project. This is the opportunity for students to apply everything they have studied, to create a film score, and to have the opportunity to collaborate with another artist. This course consists of independent study.

Prerequisite: Students must complete each level in order to continue into the subsequent level of the course.

QUARTER SUMMARY

Competencies Covered: Literacy, Entrepreneurship, Music Technology & Musicianship.

Total Credits: 15.5

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
COMP-101
Credits: 1.5

Course Description
This course will continue the study of popular song construct, but will be applied directly to varied genres of music and the requisite shift in stylistic approach. Each genre demands varied approaches as applies to lyric, melody, hook construct and delivery, structure and chord progressions. Popular genres to be analyzed will include Pop, Pop/Rock, Modern Rock, Hip Hop, Dance/Electronica, Indie/Folk and Alternative Country. This course consists of a weekly one-hour lecture and one-hour lab. This course may be taken as an elective.

Prerequisite: Songwriting 1.

Competency: Literacy
Course Number: 
GE-305
Credits: 4

Course Description
This course provides the basic concept of statistics: Topics include Data, Sampling, Experiments, Distributions, Relationships, Chance and Probability, Simulation & Expected Values, and Inference. This course consists of two weekly, two-hour lectures.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
PROD-305
Credits: 3

Course Description
Each Bachelor in Music Production candidate is required to present a 3-song originally composed, produced and recorded project to a panel of faculty and music industry professionals. Students will work in their private lesson and in other applicable courses to plan their project. This project will be presented on the LACM campus in a recording studio setting.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
PROD-313
Credits: 3

Course Description
Composing for documentary films is somewhat different from writing a score for a drama or other forms of fiction, but the task remains the same. The composer still has to help the film makers tell the story. Documentaries tend to have shorter scenes, and more of them. It is usually narrated and it may move quickly from one important moment to the next. You will learn how to navigate these demands, and help tell the story without getting in the way. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture and two-hour lab.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
PROD-337
Credits: 2

Course Description
A continuation of the previous section of Orchestration Techniques, this course explores further the relationship of music to visual media, and the ways in which orchestral color can enhance (or diminish) a score’s effectiveness. Technical questions, such as orchestrating around dialog or pre-records, receive special attention. Students will also consider the art of arranging and how it differs from orchestration. As in Orch Tech 1, assignments are based on case studies from class lectures, and students will have the opportunity to apply techniques learned by composing two short pieces for small ensembles, which will be recorded in-studio by
professional session musicians. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture.

Prerequisite: Orchestration Techniques for Film 1.

QUARTER SUMMARY

Competencies Covered: Literacy & Musicianship.

Total Credits: 13.5

Competency: Literacy
Course Number: 
GE-102
Credits: 3

Course Description
This course is an introduction to finance as it relates to musicians and to all creative entrepreneurs. Students will learn the most important aspects of finance including time value of money concepts, financial calculations, budgeting and financial planning and will develop critical money management skills to help them thrive in the music business. The class will be introduced to financial spreadsheet applications such as Microsoft Excel but students will also discover how use these tools to create customized budgets and financial plans. This course consists of a weekly, three-hour lecture.

Competency: Literacy
Course Number: 
GE-404
Credits: 3

Course Description
This is a comprehensive and focused course of Health and General Well-Being. Topics cover achieving wellness, eating and exercising towards a healthy lifestyle, building healthy relationships, understanding and preventing disease, drug use and abuse and making health and healthy choices. This course consists of two weekly, two-hour lectures.

Competency: Entrepreneurship
Course Number: 
IND-207
Credits: 2

Course Description
This course will cover creative and business concepts associated with the role of the Music Supervisor, including: what a music supervisor’s primary job is, how to interact with the music supervisor on a Film/TV assignment, what a music supervisor needs to know and be qualified to do, and how to pursue becoming a music supervisor. Qualities a music supervisor must have will be studied extensively, as this can be a viable career path for many musicians and songwriters. Topics will include: critical “song to picture” analysis, expansive music genre and artist knowledge, ability to organize song clearances and cue sheets, confidence in communicating with directors and producers of Films and TV shows along with expressing specific needs to composers in regard to musical direction, tempo, keys, song edits and “sound alike” references. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture.

Competency: Literacy
Course Number: 
MUS-302
Credits: 2

Course Description
Each course offers a broad survey of musical masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the Baroque era. Emphasis is on major composers, rhythmic, harmonic and melodic inventions, form, period instruments, secular and sacred music, and listening awareness. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
PROD-106
Credits: 2

Course Description
Given the ever-growing prominence of video in modern media, this course provides students with a basic understanding of the full video production process by teaching “do-it-yourself” video production, beginning with shooting and editing, and concluding with post production. Students also learn about file formats, cameras, lighting, planning, and video/sound editing. By the conclusion of the course, students will produce both a music video and a commercial promoting said music video. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture. This course may be taken as an elective.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
PROD-406
Credits: 3

Course Description
In Composing for Action Films students first build a large orchestral template to handle the needs of this style. We will explore live music sweetening. Course will heavily focus on key elements of orchestration in this genre – the use of ostinato’s, building flourishes and how to create and score for “big sound”. We will learn how to effectively ³arc² a musical thread that consist of large fast musical cues. And we will study the use of thematic development within the genre. Course is designed around the Socratic method to engage students in a vibrant process for learning and developing a case for what they understand. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture and two-hour lab.

Competency: Entrepreneurship
Course Number: 
PROD-435
Credits: 1

Course Description
This series provides students with the chance to work with a young director on a film project. This is the opportunity for students to apply everything they have studied, to create a film score, and to have the opportunity to collaborate with another artist. This course consists of independent study.

Prerequisite: Students must complete each level in order to continue into the subsequent level of the course.

QUARTER SUMMARY

Competencies Covered: Literacy, Entrepreneurship & Musicianship.

Total Credits: 16

Competency: Entrepreneurship
Course Number: 
ELE-104
Credits: 1

Course Description
In weekly meetings, students will create their professional resume and explore topics related to general career development. Topics will include essential computer programs used in an office setting, apps and social media platforms that will be required knowledge when working with an entertainment company, interview skills and preparation, time management skills, office communication protocol, and more. These weekly classes will be designed to prepare the students for interviewing and placement in a professional internship while enrolled in the Internship course. This course consists of a weekly, one-hour lecture.

Competency: Literacy
Course Number: 
GE-402
Credits: 3

Course Description
Political science is a study of political policy, behavior, process, systems, and overall government structures. This course will cover the concepts of political economy, ideology, theory, and philosophy. It will further elaborate on political analysis, comparative politics, and international relationships. An examination of both humanistic and scientific approaches, perspectives, and tools will be used throughout the course. The political dynamics of American governmental structures as well as comparisons with other regions of the world will be applicable. Students will be able to understand and compare different countries from around the world and firmly understand the integration of government and policy within multiple societies. This course consists of two weekly, two-hour lectures.

Prerequisite: GE-100: English Composition

Competency: Literacy
Course Number: 
MUS-303
Credits: 2

Course Description
Each course offers a broad survey of musical masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the Baroque era. Emphasis is on major composers, rhythmic, harmonic and melodic inventions, form, period instruments, secular and sacred music, and listening awareness. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
PROD-311
Credits: 3

Course Description
Movie trailers are a marketing tool for the studios to present a vision for the film coming out. The structure and techniques of creating the right trailer music will be discussed in length. Identifying the message of the movie, addressing the change points of the trailer, the 3 act structure of the trailer, Drama, Comedy, Action, Thriller, Horror and more will be detailed as well as examples presented and exercises presented week to week. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture and two-hour lab.

Competency: Music Tech
Course Number: 
PROD-408
Credits: 3

Course Description
An intensive 22 week, 2 part course serving the nascent film composer by learning the craft of music editing for feature films. Students will have practical experience in having mock roles as a music editor from pre-production (setting a tone for the film, working with execs in the process) to post production (working with composers and handling all music for mix stage) therefore gaining knowledge to the roles, responsibilities that serve not only the composer but the production and studios as well. Studies will spend time to “compose” cues from existing musical stems. We will work exclusively in Pro Tools and become affluent in the tools offered within the software to become quick and effective. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture and two-hour lab.

Competency: Entrepreneurship
Course Number: 
PROD-436
Credits: 1

Course Description
This series provides students with the chance to work with a young director on a film project. This is the opportunity for students to apply everything they have studied, to create a film score, and to have the opportunity to collaborate with another artist. This course consists of independent study.

Prerequisite: Students must complete each level in order to continue into the subsequent level of the course.

QUARTER SUMMARY

Competencies Covered: Literacy, Entrepreneurship, Music Technology & Musicianship.

Total Credits: 13

Competency: Entrepreneurship
Course Number: 
PROD-412
Credits: 4

Course Description
Each student will be given an opportunity to have an internship with a working composer. You will assist, watch, listen, and soak up whatever the composer is willing or able to share with you. This will give every student the opportunity to see the day to day business of composing for a living, to understand what it takes to deliver a project that is compliant with the direction of the director/producers.

Competency: Literacy
Course Number: 
GE-302
Credits: 3

Course Description
Philosophy is considered to be the history of human thinking. Philosophy teaches how to think and attempts to unravel concepts of life through the practice of questioning. Philosophical questions examine what reliable knowledge is, what is God and does it exist, what is truth, what are right and wrong, what makes something beautiful or unattractive, what is reality, what happens when we die, and in totality, what does it mean to study philosophy. This course will act as a guide for conducting life and every major can benefit from philosophical learning. Students will be able to gain relevant connections from philosophy to their daily life. This course consists of a weekly, three-hour lecture.

Prerequisite: GE-101: English Composition & Critical Thinking

Competency: Literacy
Course Number: 
GE-406
Credits: 3

Course Description
This course is a comprehensive and focused study of the structure and function of the human body at the cellular, histological, and organ level. The emphasis of study includes microscopic and macroscopic anatomy and physiology of the Integumentary, Skeletal, Muscular, Nervous, Endocrine, Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Immune, Gastrointestinal, Renal and Reproductive Systems. This course consists of two weekly, one and a half hour lectures.

Competency: Musicianship
Course Number: 
PROD-405
Credits: 3

Course Description
Each Bachelor in Music Production candidate is required to present a 6-song originally composed, produced and recorded project (EP) with requisite digital materials (EP cover design, bio of composer(s)/producer(s) and general description of project) to a panel of faculty and music industry professionals. Students will work in their private lesson and in other applicable courses to plan their project. This project will be presented on the LACM campus in a recording studio setting.

Competency: Musicianship 
Course Number: 
PROD-413
Credits: 3

Course Description
Composing for commercials presents a unique and lucrative niche in the marketplace for the media composer. Commercials demand music to be representative of the brand immediately and carry it through to the end. How does one identify musically with the brand or the message? Tags, hit points, hooks, and mood tracks will all be discussed with examples from the commercial literature. This course consists of a weekly, two-hour lecture and two-hour lab.

QUARTER SUMMARY

Competencies Covered: Literacy, Entrepreneurship & Musicianship.

Total Credits: 16