General information


Subject type: Optional

Coordinator: Maddalena Fedele

Trimester: Second term

Credits: 6

Teaching staff: 

Angel Valverde Vilabella

Skills


Specific skills
  • E5_Design and make an audiovisual product (consisting of still or moving images), taking into account both its technical and artistic aspects, in all its components

  • E9_Apply the mechanical, electronic and digital principles of sound capture, amplification and recording for application to different platforms: shows, radio, television, audiovisual and multimedia. Postproduce the audio and add the sound effects of an audiovisual production

  • E10_Apply processes, methods and techniques to develop creativity and innovation in audiovisual production, multimedia development and video game programming

  • E11_Apply musical rules and languages ​​for music creation and sound recording in music production and the creation of electronic music for use as soundtracks in audiovisual productions

  • E13_Apply the principles of visual and sound design for the creation of presentation elements used in sound, audiovisual, television and show products

Transversal competences
  • T2_That students have the ability to work as members of an interdisciplinary team either as one more member, or performing management tasks in order to contribute to developing projects with pragmatism and a sense of responsibility, making commitments taking into account the available resources

Description


The subject aims to provide analytical and technical knowledge of the link between music and image. Examples of productions where music (or the lack thereof) play a prominent role are analyzed and we will try to understand how you can write music that really contributes to improving the final product. 

The artistic and technical processes, as well as the human resources needed in the production chain of a soundtrack, are described

Practical exercises will be carried out that will gradually provide knowledge of the global process. 

The final work of the subject consists of the production and recording of a soundtrack with orchestra.

Learning outcomes


At the end of the course the student must be able to:

 

LO1 Organize and coordinate the production of music for an audiovisual, advertising, film, TV series or documentary medium.

LO2 Distinguish and select the different genres of music applied to images.

LO3 Design exclusive sounds for each product.

LO4 Shape their musical ideas in digital form

LO5 Create and direct the team of composers, musicians, sound technicians and screenwriters.

LO6 Know the technical and aesthetic elements needed to achieve the proposed emotional impact.

 

In addition, the student will also achieve the following learning outcomes:

RAC1 Analyze the effectiveness of music in an audiovisual production, make proposals that increase the expected effect.

RAC2 Understand the concepts of rhythm, harmony and melody.

RAC3 Know computer music notation systems.

RAC4 Create a topic with an appropriate structure

RAC5 Know the different parts of a musical arrangement.

RAC6 Know the different musical styles and their characteristics.

RAC7 Know how to plan a music recording

RAC8 Work with Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) and Virtual Studio

Working methodology


The subject is structured in 3 hours per week of theory contents, in large group, and 2 hours per week of practical activities, in small groups, in the technical studies of the Tecnocampus. In the theoretical classes the teacher presents concepts and examples encouraging the participation of students in direct application of the concepts described. In the practical classes the students will work in team assuming the different necessary roles in a musical production.

Class attendance, both theoretical and practical, is not mandatory, but requires a minimum attendance of 70%. An overall attendance lower than this percentage will not allow access to the exam and the subject will be given for suspension. In the event of non-attendance for a justified reason, documentation must be submitted to prove this.

Course materials will be posted on the virtual campus. Notices to students will also be made by this means; it is the student's responsibility to consult this virtual space regularly.

For a correct use of the subject the student must foresee a total dedication of 150 hours (hours of class + dedication out of class).

Contents


1. INTRODUCTION.

Audiovisual language: Analysis of the narrative and communicative functions of the multiple sound elements.

History and evolution of the soundtrack, according to technological, social and economic context.

Areas of application: radio, TV, internet / multimedia, advertising, video games

2. Musical Preproduction.

Description of current methodologies.

Analysis of examples.

Preparation of analysis exercises for works of documentary musical setting.

3. Areas of musical application.

Areas of incidence and application, musical styles and genres, musical topics.

Analysis of examples from each area and the elaboration of proposals for practical work.

4. Types of production according to technology and budget.

Analysis and design of soundtrack productions based on budget, technology, timing.

Preparation for practical works of musical creation applied to kinematic sequence.

Creation of the work team and distribution of tasks

5. Production  

Elaboration of complete works for the analysis of audiovisual proposals, search for technical and human resources, organization.

Recording of a soundtrack with orchestra.

6. Post-production

Musical mix, formats and delivery.

Analysis of the previous activity and study of ways of improvement.

Final generation of content according to consumption format. 

Learning activities


The activities will take place in the studios of the Tecnocampus: computer rooms, audio studios, ATMOS room, where various exercises will be done that will gradually give the general competence to achieve a complex final project of production and composition of a soundtrack.

Activity 1: Musical setting of a documentary

Analysis of musical needs and search for suitable music for a dramatic documentary. Work done individually, with a value of 10% of the overall grade.

Activity linked to learning outcomes RA2, RA3, RA5, RA6, RAC1, RAC8 working on skills E10, E11, E13, E5

Activity 2: Production of a logo model

Creation of a music production with a DAW tool, with virtual instruments. Work done individually, with a value of 10% of the overall grade.

Activity linked to learning outcomes RA1, RA3, RA4, RA6, RAC2, RAC3, RAC5, RAC8 working on skills E10, E11, E13, E5, E9, G2, T2

Activity 3: Musical production for short films

Creating a musical composition with a DAW tool, with virtual instruments plus a real instrument. Work done in groups of two people, with a value of 20% of the overall grade.

Activity linked to learning outcomes RA1, RA2, RA4, RA5, RA6, RAC4, RAC8 working on skills E10, E11, E13, E5, E9, G2, T2

Activity 4: Musical production with orchestra

Complete production of the soundtrack for a work or fragment, which involves the creation of a team of composers, technicians, producers. The project will be recorded with a live orchestra at the Tecnocampus and will test all the knowledge acquired with the previous activities. The ability to work in a team and planning is essential. Work done in groups of 5 people, with a value of 10% of the overall grade.

Activity linked to learning outcomes RA1, RA2, RA4, RA5, RA6, RAC1, RAC2, RAC3, RAC4, RAC7, RAC8 working on skills E10, E11, E13, E5, E9, G2, T2

Activity 5: Presentation of composers

It consists of an oral presentation, made in groups of two people, in which a description will be made of the life and work of a composer representative of the world of soundtracks. This activity has a value of 10% of the overall grade.

Activity linked to learning outcomes RA2, RA6, RAC1 working on skills E13, G2

Activity 6: Analysis of a soundtrack

There will be a written work where all the musical contribution of a film will be analyzed. Work done in groups of 2 people, with a value of 10% of the overall grade.

Activity linked to learning outcomes RA2, RA3, RA6, RAC1 working on skills E13, G2, E11

Activity 7: Exam

Final exam of the subject, of individual type, where the acquired knowledge will be evaluated. Requires a grade of not less than 5 to weigh the rest of the activities. With a value of 30% of the overall grade.

Activity linked to learning outcomes RA1, RA2, RA3, RA6, RAC1, RAC2, RAC6, RAC7 working on skills E13, G2, E11

Evaluation system


The subject is evaluated through the work done. 

- Activity 1: Musical setting of a documentary (10%)

- Activity 2: Production of a model for a logo. (10%)

- Activity 3: Music production for short films (20%)

- Activity 4: Music production with orchestra (10%)

- Activity 5: Presentation of composers (10%)

- Activity 6: Analysis of a soundtrack (10%)

- Activity 7: Individual final exam (30%)

The final exam requires a grade of not less than 5 to weigh the rest of the activities. In case of non-compliance, the student must take a Recovery Exam, which also requires a grade of not less than 5 to weigh with the other activity grades.

Class attendance of not less than 70% is required. In case of non-compliance, a complementary examination will have to be done to the previous activities, which will replace the percentage attributed to the final practice (40%).

REFERENCES


Basic

Jeff Rona. The reel world, Miller Freeman Books. ISBN ISBN 0-87930-591-6.

Michel Chion. Audiovision. Ed. Paidós Ibérica ,, ISBN ISBN 84-7509-859-2.

On the Track: A Guide to Contemporary Film Scoring, Karlin, Fred and Wright, Rayburn: Editor: Routledge 

ISBN-10: 0415941369

ISBN-13: 978-0415941365

Conrado Xalabarder. Music, an optical illusion. ED. Books online, ISBN 1597541672

Jose Nieto. Music for the image: the secret influence. Ed. Iberautor Cultural Promotions, ISBN ISBN 9788480486040.