Course Title: Compile music for soundtracks

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2024

Course Code: COMM7396C

Course Title: Compile music for soundtracks

Important Information:

Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities. 

To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption. 

Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209

Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus 


Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance. 

School: 515T Creative Industries

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5410 - Diploma of Music (Sound Production)

Course Contact: Rebekha Naim

Course Contact Phone: +61399254849

Course Contact Email: rebekha.naim@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teachers:

John Phillips
Andrew Duffield

Email:

john.phillips@rmit.edu.au
andrew.duffield@rmit.edu.au 

Nominal Hours: 35

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

In this course you will acquire the skills and knowledge required to integrate musical elements into soundtracks for screen productions. This involves identifying and sourcing music components and synchronising them with moving image sequences.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUASOU517 Compile music for soundtracks

Element:

1. Confirm scope of soundtrack project and determine requirements

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Determine production requirements, timeframe and expectations with required personnel, and confirm roles of personnel involved in project

1.2 Confirm studio arrangements and resources meet technical, musical, and work health and safety (WHS) requirements

1.3 Identify moving image sequences that require theme, incidental or other music

1.4 Obtain shot list and music components for soundtrack, and confirm copyright requirements are met

1.5 Map musical events and duration to film shots as required

1.6 Identify specific equipment and resources needed to produce required music score

1.7 Confirm that equipment and resources will be available to meet production requirements

Element:

2. Compile soundtracks for moving image sequences

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Establish routine for viewing, assessing and discussing shot material with director and film editor

2.2 Monitor acoustic quality of soundtrack to achieve required sound using safe work practices

2.3 Share work in progress and seek feedback from required personnel, and incorporate suggestions and ideas as required

Element:

3. Synchronise music components to moving image sequences

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Identify frame rate for video or film required to synchronise sound and images

3.2 Match music components to screen images and sequences

3.3 Modify sound quality of music components in soundtracks according to other sound elements as required

3.4 Confirm quality of music components aligns with overall production requirements and concept

3.5 Listen to timing, sequencing, sound quality and element integration, confirm soundtrack aligns with production requirements and adjust as required

3.6 Present completed soundtrack to required personnel within required timeframe in line with production requirements

Element:

4. Evaluate work

Performance Criteria:


4.1 Evaluate quality and success of music soundtrack against production requirements

4.2 Evaluate process of compiling music for soundtrack in consultation with required personnel

4.3 Seek feedback from others and evaluate own role in soundtrack compilation process

4.4 Assess innovation and development of techniques and ideas using comparison of work against other soundtracks

4.5 Document evaluation outcomes and use results to develop strategies that can be applied to own work practices


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements. 


Details of Learning Activities

Learning will occur in class delivery and project work. Some external project completion will be required out of class, including:

  • class exercises 
  • analysis/critique of relevant reading material 
  • design activities or projects 
  • class presentations 
  • group discussion 
  • research 
  • independent project-based work 
  • ‘workshopping’ of student projects including peer/lecturer feedback


Teaching Schedule

CLASS

TOPIC

 

CONTENT

Ass 1

Ass 2

Ass 3

Ass 4

Ass 5

Ass 6

Week 1

INTRO

J&A

Introduction
Look at unit
Discussion of schedule
Soundtracks / Analysis videos

ANALYSIS

 

 

 

 

 

Week 2

VIDEO IN AUDIO APPS

John

Assessment requirements
Rubrics
Video in Audio Apps
Video Apps
Demo: Video importing in Logic
Demo: Video importing in Pro Tools

ANALYSIS

 

 

 

 

 

Week 3

CLIENT BRIEFS

Andrew

Lecture / Tutorial
Spotting sessions
Client Briefs
* Tempo
* Temp Tracks
* Markers

ANALYSIS

PLAN

MINORITY REPORT

 

 

 

Week 4

COMPOSING FOR FILM

John

Look @ "Seidler" process:
* Client brief / Spotting
* Temp Tracks
* Production / Recording
* Delivery / Synch
* Soundfirm

 

PLAN

MINORITY REPORT

 

 

 

Week 5

CLIENT BRIEFS

Andrew

Lecture / Tutorial
Spotting sessions
Client Briefs
* Tempo
* Temp Tracks
* Markers

 

PLAN

MINORITY REPORT

 

 

 

Week 6

COMPRESSION / PRODUCTION PROCESS

John

Compression
Sidechaining
Frequency sensitive sidechaining
Production crews
Production strategies

 

PLAN

MINORITY REPORT

 

 

 

Week 7

CLIENT BRIEF "CHIVAS"

Andrew

Sound Design / Music scoring

Review Minority Report

Chivas client brief

 

PLAN

MINORITY REPORT

CHIVAS

 

 

 

- Easter Break -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week 8

SOUNDTRACKS

MUSIC PLACEMENT

Andrew

Sound Design 

Music Placement

 

PLAN

MINORITY REPORT

CHIVAS

 

 

Week 9

REAPER / LOGIC

------------

FOLEY / ADR

CLIENT BRIEF : "ALLEY"

John

Other apps in music and film sound production and games sound design

Client brief
 "ALLEY" project
Video Apps
Video importing in Logic
Genre Analysis
File transfers / delivery

 

PLAN

MINORITY REPORT

CHIVAS

 

 

Week 10

 ANZAC DAY

 

 

 

PLAN

 

CHIVAS

ALLEY

 

Week 11

SOUND DESIGN"

Andrew

Sound Design / Music scoring

 

 PLAN

 

CHIVAS

ALLEY

 

Week 12

ATMOS SOUND / SURROUND SOUND

John

Studio demonstration of Dolby surround and Dolby Atmos

(94.1.3)

 

 

 

 

ALLEY

 

Week 13

VINTAGE SYNTHESIS

Andrew

Vintage synthesis demonstration. AKS demonstration

 

 

 

 

ALLEY

 

Week 14

PROJECT REVIEW - PRACTICAL WORK ON PROJECTS

 

Review Semester
Review projects

Complete and review
"ALLEY" submissions
Review

 

 

 

 

ALLEY

 

 

 Andrew

 John

 

 

Week 15

ASSESSMENT / REVIEW

 

 In class completion of Assessment #6 “Review”

 

 

 

 

 

REVIEW

 

Andrew 

 

 

 

Week 16

ASSESSMENT / REVIEW

 

 Project review and consultation

           


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

Please refer to the Learning Management System, Canvas, for all course details.

The University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through:

The learning Lab
www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/learning-lab
The Study Support Hub
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/study-support-hub
English for uni workshops
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/workshops/english-uni-workshops


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral/written presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights. Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on CANVAS.


Assessment Tasks

To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete the following assessment tasks to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessments and once you have demonstrated competency you will also receive a result after your final assessment task.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Analysis. This assessment is designed to allow you to explore the relationship between film and music in a scene, section or entire production of a commercially released film. Due by Week 4, Semester 1.

Assessment Task 2: Client Brief Plan. You are required to confirm the scope of one of your soundtrack projects and clarify its technical and musical requirements by completing the Production Requirements Planning template. Due by Week 7, Semester 1.

Assessment Task 3: Minority Report Project. You will provide music placement for a section of a film, specifically following requests outlined in a supplied client brief. Due by Week 8, Semester 1.

Assessment Task 4: Chivas Project. For this assessment you will create two of the three soundtracks required to meet the client's requirement. Due by Week 11, Semester 1.

Assessment Task 5: Alley Project. For this assessment you must upload a completed Quicktime bounce containing requested audio. Due by Week 15, Semester 1.

Assessment Task 6: Review. Completing this task allows you to demonstrate your understanding of compiling music for soundtracks. Due by Week 16, Semester 1.

 

You should refer to the assessment brief which is available on myRMIT for full assessment criteria.

Results that apply to Ungraded courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are:

CA      Competency Achieved

NYC   Not Yet Competent

DNS   Did Not Submit for Assessment


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These mapping documents are available through Program Administration if required.  

Other Information

Attendance: 

Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises  

It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully. 

 

Information about your studies: 

You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc. 

 https://www.rmit.edu.au/students 

 

Assessment: 

Information on assessment including Special consideration, Adjustments to assessment, (eg. applying for an extension of time): 

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment 

 

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:  

RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy. 

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity 

 

Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning:  

Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification). 

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.   

Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course. 

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit

Course Overview: Access Course Overview