Master in
Film Scoring
The aim of the Master’s programme is to provide students with professional skills in the various areas of music production for film: learning music techniques for Film, Television, Commercials, Documentaries and Video Games.
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The Master’s programme is designed for those who wish to transform their passion for composition, orchestration and music production into a professional career in the audiovisual industry.
Programme
- Composition
- Audio Mixing Techniques
- Film Editing
- Dramatic Orchestration and Score Preparation
- Computer/Synth Applications for Film
- Recording Techniques
- SFX Techniques
- Recording Technology
- Implementation
- Film Conducting
- Music Production
- Music Business
Qualification
First-Level University Master’s Degree worth 60 ECTS Credits with University: .............
Location
On-campus delivery at the operational training centre in Lecce, in partnership with the International Film Score ETS Cultural Association.
Partners
MAD WAVE AUDIO — Los Angeles, USA
www.madwaveaudio.com
Gratitude Sound — Boston, USA
www.gratitudesound.com
Salento Productions — Italy
www.salentoproductions.com
Arca del Blues
www.arcadelblues.it
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Complete the form and one of our representatives will contact you.
MasterCurriculum
Academic Director – Master in Film Scoring: prof. Francesco de Donatis
Introduction to Film Scoring
An exploration of the aesthetic relationship between film and music. Discussion, analysis and study of the terminology related to the many functions of film music.
Computer/Synth App for Film
Analysis, composition and practical techniques related to the various functions of film music through Digital Audio Workstations, with particular reference to Digital Performer.
Film Editing Principles & Techniques Explained
Film editing techniques using Digital Audio Workstations. Students will learn audio track editing and how to create temporary music tracks for video.
Audio Recording Tech
Fundamentals of acoustics and electroacoustics, recording chains, microphone techniques and audio signal processing.
Mixing the Film Score
Creation of strips and stems, algorithmic and convolution reverbs, pre-mixing techniques, equalisation and compression.
Professional Mixing and Mastering
Designed for composers and producers, this course introduces professional mixing and mastering techniques using industry-standard music software.
Dramatic Orchestration and Score Preparation
Analysis of orchestral film scores. Study of orchestral harmony for film, orchestral ranges and the structure of both classical and ethnic orchestras.
Dramatic Scoring
Students will develop projects covering different areas of film music, including film cues, trailer music, main titles, short films and animated productions.
Commercial and Documentary Music Techniques
Analysis and composition techniques for advertising, television and documentary music.
Music for Video Games
Analysis and composition techniques for video game music, including branching, layering, crossfading and transitions. Implementation through audio middleware such as FMOD and Wwise within Unity and Unreal Engine.
Audio Post Production
This course explores the tools and techniques used in audio post-production and how to apply them creatively and professionally.
Sound Synthesis
In Sound Synthesis you will learn how to identify and evaluate the objective and subjective principles underlying the perception and design of musical sounds.
Music Business
Marketing strategies for film music professionals: finding work opportunities, analysing film industry contracts, working with sample library companies and understanding copyright protection.
SFX & Foley for Film
Video sound design through Foley techniques, recreation of background noises and sound effects for film and video games.
International Workshops
Throughout the programme students will participate in international online workshops with professional composers working in film, advertising, documentary and video game music.
Sample Library Creation
During these classes you will learn programming concepts through the Kontakt sampler, enabling you to create your own sound libraries for commercial distribution or personal use.
Studio Recording Practice
Sessions in a professional recording studio covering sound sampling techniques and microphone placement for small ensembles and full orchestras. Students will have the opportunity to record live performers for their own projects.
Project Work
Orchestration & Recording Session
Throughout the programme students will work directly with live performers during professional studio recording sessions. Recording sessions include 17 musicians featuring strings, woodwinds, brass and selected orchestral instruments.
Game Music Advanced
Advanced Game Music Project: students will collaborate with Mad Wave Audio in Los Angeles on the composition and implementation of music for video games.
Mixing & Mastering Advanced
Advanced Mixing & Mastering Project: students will work alongside a sound engineer with experience at Skywalker Sound in Los Angeles.
Commercial & Documentary Advanced
Advanced Music for Advertising Project developed in collaboration with Gratitude Sound, Boston.
Master in Film Scoring
Academic plan for the First-Level University Master’s Degree in Film Scoring, structured into teaching modules, practical activities, internship/project work and final thesis.
Teaching Plan
| Lecturers | Subject | Modules | Hours | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francesco de Donatis | Introduction to Film Scoring | 1 | 12 | 2 |
| Francesco de Donatis | Computer Synth App for Film | 2 | 36 | 6 |
| Francesco de Donatis | Film Editing Principles & Techniques Explained | 3 | 24 | 4 |
| Francesco de Donatis | SFX - Sound Design and Foley | 7 | 12 | 2 |
| Francesco de Donatis | Dramatic Orchestration and Score Preparation | 5 | 60 | 8 |
| Francesco de Donatis | Dramatic Scoring | 5 | 30 | 7 |
| Francesco de Donatis | Commercial and Documentary Music Techniques | 6 | 24 | 4 |
| Francesco de Donatis | Music for Videogames | 6 | 24 | 4 |
| Marcello Durante | Music Business | 8 | 6 | 1 |
| Francesco de Donatis | International Workshops | 8 | 6 | 1 |
| Giuseppe Spedicati | Audio Recording Tech | 4 | 12 | 2 |
| Giuseppe Spedicati | Sound Synthesis | 4 | 12 | 2 |
| Davide Cappiello | Professional Mixing and Mastering | 10 | 24 | 4 |
| Francesco Mancarella | Practice in Studio Recording | 9 | 18 | 3 |
| Total Teaching Hours | 300 | |||
| Internship / Project Work | 4 | |||
| Thesis | 6 | |||
| Total ECTS Credits | 60 | |||
Module Structure, Academic Fields, ECTS Credits and Hours
1 – Introduction to Music for Visual Media
- Introduction to Music for Visual Media
- Introduction to Music and Communication
- Introduction to Film Scoring
2 – Music Production for Film through Software Applications
- Computer/Synth App for Film
3 – Editing and Audio Synchronisation Techniques
- Music
- Cinema and Theatre
- Editing and Audio Synchronisation Techniques
- Film Editing Principles & Techniques Explained
4 – Sound Synthesis and Recording Techniques
- Audio Recording Tech
- Sound Synthesis
5 – Orchestration and Composition for Film
- Dramatic Orchestration and Score Preparation
- Dramatic Scoring
6 – Music for Commercials, Documentaries and Video Games
- Music for Commercials
- Music for Documentaries
- Documentaries and Video Games
- Commercial and Documentary Music Techniques
- Music for Video Games
7 – Audio Special Effects for Film
- Audio Special Effects for Film
- Sound Design and Foley
- SFX – Sound Design and Foley
8 – Orientation to the International Music Industry
- Orientation to the International Music Industry
- Relevant Legal Framework
- Business Organisation
- Music Business
- International Workshops
9 – Recording and Sampling in a Recording Studio
- Studio Recording and Sampling
- Advanced Recording and Sampling
- Practice in Studio Recording
10 – Audio Mixing
- Audio Mixing 1
- Audio Mixing 2
- Professional Mixing and Mastering
Internship / Project Work
- Project-based and practical activities applied to music production for visual media.
Thesis
- Final written thesis and/or final project for the completion of the programme.
Watch 3 examples of our lessons
A selection of educational content taken from our lessons dedicated to composition for film, documentaries, video games, commercials and trailers.
What Our Students Say
Video testimonials from students sharing their experience in the Master in Film Scoring programme and their journey into the world of music for visual media.
Format, Admission Requirements and Career Opportunities
Programme Start Date
To Be Announced
Format
2 Weekends per Month
Duration
1 Year
Who Is This Programme For?
Applicants holding a Conservatory Diploma or a University Degree in any discipline, provided they possess basic knowledge of harmony and music theory. A pre-admission interview with the Programme Director may be required.
Career Opportunities
Film Composer
Also known as a film scorer. Film composers create original musical scores that accompany motion pictures and audiovisual productions.
Assistant Composer
Provides technical, musical and operational support to the composer, helping streamline workflow throughout the production process.
TV Composer
Creates themes, underscore and source music for television programmes, series and broadcast productions.
Video Game Composer
Composes and implements music for video games using FMOD and Wwise across console, mobile, PC, virtual reality and augmented reality platforms.
Orchestral Mock-Up Artist
Produces realistic orchestral mock-ups using professional sample libraries, creating productions that closely resemble live performances.
Music Copyist / Music Preparation Specialist
Responsible for proofreading scores and preparing instrumental parts for performances and recording sessions.
Music Editor
Handles music editing and synchronisation, ensuring that music is perfectly aligned with the visual content in film and television productions.
Music Supervisor
Works in film, television and video games, selecting and licensing existing music and recordings for audiovisual productions.
Orchestrator
Creates complete orchestral scores from a composer’s sketches. MIDI orchestrators also use sample libraries to enhance the quality of demos and mock-ups.
Session Conductor
Conducts orchestras during recording sessions for film, television and video games, coordinating and preparing performances in professional studios.
Sound Engineer
Responsible for audio recording, mixing, dialogue editing, dubbing, post-production and final mastering.
Music Producer
Produces, edits, mixes and masters original music for commercial release, distribution and licensing opportunities.
Master in Film Scoring Faculty
Francesco Mancarella
Francesco de Donatis
Steffen Schmidt
Filipe Antunes
Joe Kataldo
Fraser Campbell
Giuseppe Spedicati
Davide Cappiello
