Course Syllabus

Film Music:Art Behind the Scenes

Instructor:

                  Dr. James S. Hoch
                  Winona State University
                  Performing Arts Center 141
                  507-457-5253
                  e-mail: jhoch@winona.edu
                  Office hours: posted on door

Texts:

Timm, Larry M. The Soul of Cinema: An appreciation of Film Music

Software:

Mac - iMovie

Garage Band

PC - Movie Maker

sequencer/audio editor TBA

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION:

The course will demonstrate the importance of music in what is perhaps the single most important 20th century new
entertainment and artistic medium known as Film. The course will progress from the early beginnings of the silent screen
up to the present day. Students will learn the important, basic musical elements (i.e. melody, rhythm, harmony, etc) and
how composers use them in film scoring. Students will do a "hands-on" project putting music to a film clip.
No prior music experience necessary.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Show the artistic side of film music and how important it is to the medium of film
Examine the historical lineage starting from the silent film days to the present
Demonstrate how a composer sets music to a film, what are the difficulties, who is involved, etc.
Study some of the significant composers who have contributed to the art
Look at what the stylistic influences composers have used
Do "hands-on" projects--- set music to a brief video clips. No prior music writing

experience necessary--students will work with a music sequencing program and a video editor)

Classroom Etiquette

No hats of any kind are to be worn in my class.
No sunglasses...unless for medical reasons.
Please do not come late to class.
Computer use in class is for taking notes or class work. It is not for reading emails, internet surfing, playing games, etc. Respect your education!
No food or drink is allowed in the room.
No ipods
Please turn off cell phones before entering class.

EXAMS & GRADING POLICY

Mid-term and final exam will be 50% of your grade. The exams will assess material presented in the class, readings,
web page assignments, audio examples and video clips. Two film music reviews will be 25% of your grade. Details on
format will be given in class and will be located at the following link: Film Music Reaction Paper Guidelines. The "hands on" project will be
the remaining 25% of your grade. You will use a music sequencer to "compose" a short "score" to a video clip. The details
needed for the project can be found at the following web page: Film Music Student Project

50% mid-term & final exam

20% 2 film music reviews

30% 2 project (1 small ---video clip 30 secs. minimum; 1 larger---video clip 2 minutes minimum

small project - 10%

large project - 20%

Important dates:

February 28--- 1st Project due (small one)

March 2nd--- Midterm Exam
1st Film Music Reaction Paper

April 23rd--- 2nd Project (larger one) due

April 27th--- 2nd Film Music Reaction Paper due

April 30 (Mon 1 - 3)----- Final Exam

ATTENDANCE

I take attendance, but it does not affect you grade. It is for record keeping. Good attendance and participation in class
can sometimes help with grades that are borderline. The opposite also is true. Material from the class lecture and
discussions will comprise most of the exams. You will want to come to class and not miss out on information and stimulating discussions.
If you must miss a class, be sure to get the information from someone in the class. Absence from an exam must be cleared with the instructor
ahead of time or have an excuse from a physician or the Dean.

ANY CHANGES TO THE SYLLABUS WILL BE POSTED AND ANNOUNCED.

SYLLABUS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

WHEN YOU HAVE READ THIS SYLLABUS...

PLEASE E-MAIL INSTRUCTOR (JHOCH @WINONA.EDU) INDICATING ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Please do the following:

SIMPLY STATE: "I HAVE READ THE SYLLABUS AND UNDERSTAND THE GRADING PROCESS."
Important: in the message window...please type your name---no nicknames please
you must use your WSU e-mail account ONLY..no hotmail, etc. I use this e-mail to communicate with you.

Reply to Instructor by Monday, January 22nd..... Failure to comply will result in subtracting 10 POINTS FROM MID-TERM EXAM.