BA (Hons) in Film Music and Soundtrack Production

Course

In Colchester

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    Course

  • Location

    Colchester

  • Start date

    Different dates available

We have a long tradition of helping students to return to study. The Access to Higher Education Diploma course will offer you the ideal preparation for further study in higher education or training.

Facilities

Location

Start date

Colchester (Essex)
See map
Sheepen Road, CO3 3LL

Start date

Different dates availableEnrolment now open

About this course



Musicianship Skills 2
Film Music in Context 2
The Self-Employed Film Musician
Foley and Sound Design
Vocal Arranging
Investigating Professional Practice
Composition for Visual Media 2 

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Subjects

  • IT
  • Music
  • Media
  • Sound
  • Production
  • Industry
  • Skills and Training
  • Composition
  • Technology
  • Full Time
  • Sound Effects
  • Team Training
  • Musical
  • Part Time
  • International
  • Project
  • Music Technology
  • Radio
  • Design
  • Doctor

Course programme



Film Music and SoundtrackCourse ModulesWhat our Graduates doEntry Requirements

Since 2010, Film Music graduate Scott Ampleford has been working alongside New York animators behind the animated fan series of Doctor Who known as “Doctor Puppet”. Scott composes and narrates each episode and has used students and staff from University Centre Colchester and professional musicians to record the live instruments and singing. The project is supported by the BBC and Scott has spoken at a number of American conventions with the animation team.


Watch the episodes, Christmas specials and behind the scenes documentaries on www.youtube.com/hellodoctorpuppet


The growing demand for cable television channels, cinema quality video games on many platforms and film productions provides huge opportunities for the creators of music and sound effects within the media industry.


The programme is designed to train the students in the musical, technical and analytical skills needed to succeed in a variety of media industry positions including self-employed musician, composer, conductor, arranger, sound designer, mixing engineer. Whilst studying a variety of traditional and modern techniques, students have the opportunity to extend their existing music and music technology skills at the same time as expanding their knowledge of other practices such as orchestration, vocal mixing and musical direction. Members of staff are working practitioners in the industry, working in live music, composing for film, television, video games, the internet, radio, theatre and with sound companies.


Although designed as three year full-time degree programme, there are named exit routes at the end of year one (Certificate of Higher Education in Film Music and Soundtrack Production) and year two (Diploma of Higher Education in Film Music and Soundtrack Production).


Our facilities include a suite of 28 Macs running Logic, Reason, Sibelius and Soundtrack Pro and two main recording studios. We have a concert hall and many bookable practice rooms for bands and orchestral ensembles.

The degree at Colchester Institute prepares you for the industry, from composition to contemporary audio technology to preparation for entering the workplace as a self-employed musician, providing the foundation needed to enter today’s music business.



Central to the programme is an emphasis on employment, self-employment and work placement. Whilst studying a variety of traditional and modern techniques, students have the opportunity to extend their existing music or music technology skills whilst expanding their knowledge of other practices. The course aims to prepare students for employment becoming versatile composers experienced in live and computer based music and soundtrack production with a view to developing realistic and sustainable careers in the media industry.


BA (Hons) in Film Music and Soundtrack Production Modules offered:

Year One

  • Musicianship Skills 1

  • Film Music in Context 1

  • Earning a Living in the Media Industry

  • Introduction to Audio Technology

  • Introduction to Musical Direction

  • Introduction to Arranging

  • Composition for Visual Media 1



Year Two

  • Musicianship Skills 2

  • Film Music in Context 2

  • The Self-Employed Film Musician

  • Foley and Sound Design

  • Vocal Arranging

  • Investigating Professional Practice

  • Composition for Visual Media 2



Year Three

  • Research Project

  • Film Music in Context 3

  • Entering Employment in the Media Industry

  • Sound Design Portfolio

  • Library Music

  • Surround Sound

  • Major Project







Graduates will be trained to start self-employed work in the media industry or apply for employment with multimedia companies, locally or nationally. There are a number of Masters courses in film music onto which these students could progress.


Graduates will develop self employment opportunities or may gain employment in relation to a wide range of professional activities including performance, song writing/composition, recording/music technology, music business and teaching.


This programme provides the opportunity to progress to postgraduate study at MA level and higher. A new pathway within the MA in Music at Colchester Institute is being developed.



Music degree students form own company

Talented degree students from the BA (Hons) in Film Music and Soundtrack Production, have formed their own music and sound production company. Fuzzy Beard Productions is “a diverse group of bearded individuals who all bring something special to the table and share their expertise with colleagues and clients alike.”


Owner and composer, James Cannell, is proud to provide a quality product tailored to the needs of the film makers and video game producers Fuzzy Beard work with. James says, “Our skills in scoring for visual media will help you build the perfect composition to accompany your project, so let us take care of the big picture, so to speak. You can rest assured that you will receive the right composition from the people who understand music. We also design unique sound effects by creating and recording original material which we then manipulate and distort to fit your project. These sounds can then be used for television, radio, film, computer and hand-held games, mobile phones, online media, live events, theatre and much more.”


James is supported by his team, Dave Cole, Scott Ampleford, Jake Embleton and Tom Presland, who each bring their own skills and musical background to the company. The composers have already worked on the Eugene Houdin video game, Doctor Puppet animation series and promotional films for national companies, with more projects in the pipeline.


Colchester Institute’s music degree programmes have a great reputation and produced many successful composers and musicians, including Richard Jacques, Tansy Davies and David Fitzgereald. Phil Toms, Head of Schools – Digital Media, Music and Performing Arts says, “I’m very proud of the talented team at Fuzzy Beard Productions. The guys are pooling all their expertise and skills plus applying the knowledge they have learned through their degree programme to create a unique business. I wish them every success.”


To find out more, visit their website www.fuzzybeardproductions.co.uk and all major social networks, including YouTube and Soundcloud. To contact the team, please email contact@fuzzybeardproductions.co.uk







Normal entry will require a minimum of 160 UCAS points achieved through A Levels or an Extended Diploma in Music, Popular Music or Music Technology with some degree of keyboard facility.


Entry is normally by interview. Applicants should bring a portfolio of previous work. This may include GCSE/BTEC/Rock School, or A Level coursework examples of their own arrangements, compositions, composition for film, sound effects, music tech recordings on CD, DVD, or on YouTube. They should be prepared to talk through their experience in the following areas:



  • Their musical background

  • What composition experience they have

  • Any music software they have used and the benefits thereof e.g. Logic, Cubase, Reason, Sibelius, etc.

  • Any experience of using mixing desks, microphones and studio equipment

  • Any experience of making or using sound effects

  • Film genres, films or composers that particularly influence them and why

  • What they would like to do as a career – for example in composing music for film, radio or TV and using music technology to create sound effects


There will be some short practical musicianship tests – e.g. singing back a melody, rhythm clapping, knowledge of chords and harmony. They will not be required to perform on an instrument but should be prepared to discuss any ability – especially regarding using a piano keyboard with a computer.





How To Apply


Our aim is to make it as easy as possible to secure your place on your ideal programme.
Simply download and complete the relevant application form and return it to our Admissions team as early as possible.
You can return your completed application form in person or by post to our Colchester
(for applications to Colchester and Clacton) or Braintree campuses:








Admissions

Colchester Institute

Sheepen Road

Colchester

CO3 3LL









Admissions

The College at Braintree

Church Lane

Braintree

CM7 5SN








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BA (Hons) in Film Music and Soundtrack Production

Price on request