Overview
In this unit, you will explore composition and production techniques for film and game audio in the creation of an original score for visual media. You will analyse the composition and sound design techniques of a range of visual media from film to game audio and learn a range of techniques that underpin these styles. You will further explore recording, synthesis and sampling techniques in composing for visual media. In the major portfolio assessment, you will be required to plan for and create an original score and sound design elements for a piece of visual media.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-requisite: Completion of 72 credit points in CG51. Students outside of CG51 may seek approval from the CG51 Head of Course to undertake this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2023
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Staff reflection
Learning resources
Continue to develop bespoke industry informed learning resources for students to support their learning journey.
- Analyse a range of music composition techniques and their relationship to visual media
- Prepare and pitch a concept document and project plan for the sound design and music composition elements for synchronisation with visual media
- Create an original music score and sound design elements for visual media using a digital audio workstation.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 30% | |||
| 2 - Presentation - 20% | |||
| 3 - Portfolio - 50% | |||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||
| 5 - Team Work | |||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Ableton Live software
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
p.preece@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to Unit
Project Brief - how to respond to a brief
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Sound Design
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Approaches to arrangement
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Dynamics in composition
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Programming drums and percussion elements
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Project week
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Programming strings and harmonic elements
Tutorial - pitching your ideas.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Programming synths
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Implementing SFX (special effects), atmospheres and transitions in context with a score
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Mixing workshop
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Final mix and media preparation
Files types, level standards.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Project week
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Music Tech 4 students require some very specific equipment to facilitate the production requirements of this unit. This unit provides training in performing, recording and mixing music. Because of this, you will need to have access to the following:
- Ableton Live software
- An audio interface
- Your instrument
- A quick stable internet connection (preferable ethernet)
- Microphone or instrument lead
- Studio headphones and your computer / webcam
About Ableton Live
Ableton Live is an industry standard DAW (digital audio workstation) and learning how to use it is extremely beneficial. You will be required to submit Ableton Live sessions as part of your assessments and therefore need to have access to a copy of Ableton software. As the production classes are based on the Ableton software, no other DAWs are acceptable for this unit. A free 90 day full use trial version of the Ableton Live software is available for download from the Ableton Live website (https://www.ableton.com/en/trial/). If you have already used your free trial version, please email the unit coordinator for an extension code.
If you have any questions regarding these requirements, please contact the Unit Coordinator, Patty Preece (p.preece@cqu.edu.au).
1 Written Assessment
In Part A, you are to complete a comparative analysis (600–800 words) of two short audio-visual excerpts. The excerpts will be provided on the assessment page located on the Moodle site. In your analysis, you must address the following:
- A description of the technical attributes of each excerpt (relative mix levels, music levels, instrumentation)
- A description of the musical elements of each excerpt (harmony, instrumentation, texture etc.) and how does it relate to the visual story
A description of how the visual media and sound are integrated to portray the narrative of both excerpts.
In Part B, you are to design a project plan (max. 500 words) which will align with Assessment 3 of this unit. This project plan will be for a composition that you will create to accompany visual media. The project plan must include the following:
- Production timeline including major milestones
- Equipment requirements
- Software requirements
- Address how you will receive and implement feedback
Assessment submission details
You must submit a Microsoft Word Document (.docx) which must use 12 point Times New Roman font, and must adhere to the APA 7th edition style guide.
*The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text references and direct
quotations.
Week 5 Friday (11 Aug 2023) 11:55 pm AEST
Week 7 Friday (1 Sept 2023)
- Accurate analysis of technical attributes of the two excerpts - 20%
- Accurate analysis of musical elements of the two excerpts - 20%
- Accurate understanding of musical integration supporting the narrative - 20%
Part B
- Timeline is realistic and achievable - 15%
- Project requirements clearly articulated - 15%
General Points
-
Meeting delivery requirements (presentation, word count*) - 10%
- Analyse a range of music composition techniques and their relationship to visual media
2 Presentation
Expanding upon Assessment 1, you will develop a project pitch for prospective clients. This pitch will align with Assessment 3 of this unit. Your objective with this pitch will be to convince the client that you:
- Understand the brief and the creative direction of the visual medium
- Understand the landscape and specific genre traits for this style of production
- Can produce a product that fulfils the client's brief.
Your project pitch presentation will be created in presentation software, be no more than 5 minutes in length and will contain both audio and visual content. It should also include a drafted excerpt (audio teaser) of your prospective composition. Your pitch should use this structure:
- An introduction
- The clients brief
- The proposed direction
- The product - present an audio teaser of your final product (1 minute minimum)
Week 9 Monday (11 Sept 2023) 11:55 pm AEST
Week 11 Friday (29 Sept 2023)
- Clear definition and understanding of the client brief- 15%
- Clear definition of proposed direction - 15%
- Demonstrates an understanding of the project's technical requirements - 20%
- Competent use of project presentation software - 10%
- The audio example contains excerpts from the final production - 40%
- Prepare and pitch a concept document and project plan for the sound design and music composition elements for synchronisation with visual media
3 Portfolio
In this task you will compose a piece of music to a visual medium, by following the production plan that you created in assessment 1. Your composition must be completed using Ableton Live Software and other equipment, including but not limited to virtual instruments, midi controllers, headphones and/or monitors. The duration of your composition will equal the entire duration of the chosen visual medium.
Your composition should include:
- An obvious musical motif/direction
- Sound design elements including the use of atmosphere and SFX
- Musical ideas that are relevant to the content matter
- Adequate use of dynamic and pacing
- Any samples used may only be one-shots, and must be royalty free.
Assessment Requirements
Your final graded submission will be the delivery of the final music product. Your submission will include:
- A video file with synced audio
- A stereo bounce – ready for mastering. 24/32 bit 48kHz
- An mp3 ‘listener’. 320kbp/s
- An Ableton Live Set at the final stage of the mix
Review/Exam Week Friday (13 Oct 2023) 11:55 pm AEST
Exam Week Friday (20 Oct 2023)
- Composition accurately adheres to the requirements of the brief - 15%
- Quality of application to dynamic structure and pacing - 15%
- Effective interpretation of visual narrative through the sound design - 25%
- Musical elements support the visual narrative - 25%
- Mixing (level balance, pan, EQ, compression and effect) is implemented effectively - 20%
- Create an original music score and sound design elements for visual media using a digital audio workstation.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
