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FILM SCORING SUMMER PROGRAM

OUR MAIN PROGRAM

“Training a New Generation of Film & Visual Media Composers”

VARNA, BULGARIA

July 3rd to July 24th, 2019

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Featuring Hollywood Film Composer

Derek Gleeson

Conductor, composer, producer, percussionist, pianist and educator.  A 35-year music industry veteran, Derek heads up the Summer Program. Derek will present classes and conduct all the recording sessions.

Christopher Young

Golden Globe-nominated composer whose credits include horror films such as Drag Me to Hell, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Hellraiser and Spiderman 3, for which he received the Film & TV Music Award for Best Score for a Dramatic Feature Film.  

Jan Grenner

Composer, audio engineer, pianist, and "Fundamentals of Film Scoring" module leader for the MA in Scoring for Film and Visual Media Program, Pulse College, Dublin, Ireland.

Now in its 4th year, this 24-day program aims to provide composers with comprehensive and fundamental techniques in scoring for Film, TV and Visual Media.  It examines the responsibilities, workflows and processes of the composer from initial commission through the final completion of the score

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Participants will score a scene from a major Hollywood movie, have it recorded with a 38-member orchestra, and have it dubbed to picture. Participants will also compose for a 9-member ensemble and a 25-member ensemble, providing live material for their film scoring portfolio, a prerequisite for successful scoring engagements.

 

This program is suited for all musicians, including professional and non-professional composers, performers and producers, who wish to develop and explore composing music for Film, TV & other Visual Media. ​

Course Requirements

While it is possible to take this program composing all of your music on manuscript paper, it is highly recommended that participants have an Apple Macbook laptop computer with Sibelius and Logic Pro X. Participants will also need to have a basic set of orchestral sound libraries (recommended: East West Composer Cloud.)

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The first week consists of intensive classes with Christopher Young.
A few days into the Christopher Young Week begins the parallel second part of the summer program, where 5 compositions are created and recorded. Each composition will be between 1:30 and 2:30 in duration. Jan Grenner will then take over this program after the first week with Christopher Young.

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Compositions (including tutorials on each) are:

2 pieces for piano

1 piece for a 9-piece mixed ensemble

1 piece for strings, harp and piano ensemble

1 piece for a 38-member mixed orchestral ensemble
(scored and dubbed to a Hollywood Feature Film blockbuster work-print)

 

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Outcomes

This program provides participants with an introduction to industry workflows and practices, and provides professional recorded material for their composition portfolio, a prerequisite for successfully “pitching” for scoring engagements. At the end of this program, you will be able to score a movie!

Indicative Syllabus

  • Classes on recording procedures & techniques with Debbie Smith

  • Classes on orchestration with Christo Pavlov

  • Classes on film scoring with Christopher Young & Derek Gleeson

  • Classes on the use of Digital Audio Workstations with Jan Grenner & Jeremy Leidhecker

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Classes delivered on:

  • Composition Methodology

  • Cue Structure & Cue Sketch

  • "Spotting" the Film

  • Preparing Detailed Timing Notes

  • Playing the Drama

  • Finding the Tempo

  • Matching the Action

  • Harmony, Melody, Rhythm and Counterpoint

  • Teaming of Characters & Story Elements

  • Instrumental Colour & Orchestration

  • Score/Part Preparation & Extraction

  • The Recording Process

  • The Mixing Process

  • Mastering/Dubbing Techniques & Workflows

  • Preparing Budgets and Workflow Schedules

  • Composing Musical Sketches performed by a Pianist, based on Vignettes and Storyboards

  • Effective construction of “bar breakdowns maps” for a film music cue

  • Introduction to Samples, Logic & Sibelius sequencing software

  • Composing for piano, woodwind, brass, strings and harp, and a film music composition from an actual film for a large mixed ensemble (including timpani and percussion)

  • Dubbing of film music cues to picture​

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What’s included?

  • Your hotel accommodation at The Cherno More Hotel in Varna, Bulgaria

  • An individual, single room for each student

  • Included breakfast and free Hotel Wi-Fi

  • 5 recorded compositions, each between 1:30 and 2:30 in duration

  • A Desk Monitor Mix of all your recordings

  • HD Video Footage and Photography of the entire experience

  • All classes on the Film Scoring Summer Program

  • One week of classes with American Hollywood film composer Christopher Young

  • Classes with Derek Gleeson, Andy Hill, Christo Pavlov, Jan Grenner, Debbie Smith, Jeremy Leidhecker

  • Midi Keyboard, Projector, Speakers, and Printer are provided in the Main Classroom

  • 24 hour access to the Main Classroom

  • Course Tutors Jan Grenner and Jeremy Leidhecker will be available to consult on technology questions throughout the summer program

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A Christopher Young one-week version of this program is available! More details when you submit your inquiry via the APPLY HERE button below.

To receive the full information package for all Film Scoring Summer Program workshops and masterclasses, please go to the "Contact & Apply" page and enter your relevant details. 

Price:
€ 2,500 - Deposit prior to January 15th, 2019
€ 2,700 - Deposit prior to March 1st, 2019

€ 2,900 - Deposit after March 1st, 2019

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Includes 4-Star Hotel Accommodation at the Cherno More Hotel, Varna

July 3rd - July 24th, 2019

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We look forward to seeing you in Varna, Summer 2019!

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