2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Nov 21, 2024

2024-2025 Academic Catalog

MUSC 242 - Soundtracks

How do sounds and music work in conjunction with (and against) moving images? This class will address this question, both on a practical, do-it-yourself level with a variety of exercises and projects, as well as through a critical and analytical approach with screenings, readings and discussion. The course is organized into three sections. First, we will examine the elements of narrative sound and introduce the practice of audiovisual analysis. In the middle section of the class, we will focus on post-production techniques. This constellation of practices found in classic narrative films through contemporary ones (that is, the body of films with which most of us are most familiar) will be the subject of scrutiny and emulation through a series of exercises dealing with dialogue, music, and sound effects. Third, we will look at a variety of historical conventions‹sound and music in silent and transitional/early sound films as well as experimental cinema‹and concentrate on live performance of music and sound effects to accompany silent film.

Prerequisites: MUSC 141 or MCA 101 or SCRN 101

Anticipated Terms Offered: offered periodically