Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Scoring for Film, Video, and TV (Online)

MUSC 6373-B70

Course: MUSC 6373-B70
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: MUSC
CRN: 32756

Course Description

An introduction to the technology and techniques used to compose music for film, video, and TV, such as reading/scoring the dramatic arc of a scene, creating professional MIDI mock-ups, mixing audios, interacting and communicating effectively with a director, and budgeting. (As Needed) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Master of Music in Music Technology students only

Required Texts

There are no required textbooks for this class.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Develop a portfolio of at least 5 work samples that show synthesis and versatility of skills learned in the course (SUU ELO – Integrative Learning); (As in Final Portfolio)
  2. Create an intermediate level MIDI mock-ups and MIDI orchestration (synthestration) (SUU ELO – Intellectual and Practical Skills – Digital Literacy); (As in Assignment 4.1 - Film Score)
  3. Create the files that make up a complete deliverable package (SUU ELO - Intellectual and Practical Skills – Digital Literacy); (As in Assignment 3.1 - Revise and Print Stems)
  4. Identify the workflow in music composition for picture (SUU ELO – Integrative Learning); (As in Lesson 1.2 - The Scoring Process)
  5. Communicate about music with Directors, Producers, and Professionals without musical training (SUU ELO – Intellectual and Practical Skills – Communication); (As in Lesson 3.3 - Talking About and Taking Feedback)

Course Requirements

Assessment to Course Outcomes Map

Assignment Category

CO 1

CO 2

CO 3

CO 4

CO 5

List major assignment categories

 

Portfolio Projects

 

X

Weekly Quizzes

 

 

X

X

Final Portfolio

X

 

 

Discussions

X

X

Assignment Categories and Points

Assignment Category

Points

Percent

Portfolio Projects

350 

 

Quizzes

70

 

Final Portfolio

100 

 

Discussions

80 

 

 

  

 

Total

600 

 

Grade Scheme

The following grading standards will be used in this class:

Grade Range
A100 % to 94.0%
A-< 94.0 % to 90.0%
B+< 90.0 % to 87.0%
B< 87.0 % to 84.0%
B-< 84.0 % to 80.0%
C+< 80.0 % to 77.0%
C< 77.0 % to 74.0%
C-< 74.0 % to 70.0%
D+< 70.0 % to 67.0%
D< 67.0 % to 64.0%
D-< 64.0 % to 61.0%
F< 61.0 % to 0.0%

Course Outline

Module 1: Course Overview
Discussion 1.1: Favorite Film Scores
Lesson 1.1 The Power of Music
Lesson 1.2 - The Scoring Process
Lesson 1.3 - Winning Business
Lesson 1.4 - Spotting a Film
Lesson 1.5 - In and Out Points
Assignment 1.1: Temp Track
Module 1 Quiz

Module 2: Getting Set Up and the Writing Process
Lesson 2.1 - Cue Numbering
Lesson 2.2 - Files
Lesson 2.3 - Organizing Yourself
Lesson 2.4 - Making a Tempo Map
Lesson 2.5 - Writing a First Version
Assignment 2.1 - First Shot at Scoring
Module 2 Quiz

Module 3: Delivering Your Music and Working Through Feedback
Lesson 3.1 - How to Deliver Your Files
Lesson 3.2 - You Are Too Close
Lesson 3.3 - Talking About and Taking Feedback
Lesson 3.4 - Final Deliverables and Getting Paid
Assignment 3.1 - Revise and Print Stems
Module 3 Quiz

Module 4: Practicing Scoring for Film
Lesson 4.1 - Considerations When Scoring for Film
Lesson 4.2 - Reading a Scene
Lesson 4.3 - A Short Read
Assignment 4.1: Film Score
Discussion 4.1 - Observations in Film Score
Module 4 Quiz

Module 5: Practicing Scoring for TV
Lesson 5.1 - Acts
Lesson 5.2 - Transitional Music
Lesson 5.3 - Cue Sheet Usage Codes
Assignment 5.1: TV Music
Discussion 5.1 - Observations in TV Music
Module 5 Quiz

Module 6: Writing Main Titles and End Titles for TV
Lesson 6.1 - Main Titles
Assignment 6.1: Main Titles
Module 6 Quiz

Module 7: Learning from the Masters
Module 7 Overview
Lesson 7.1 - Advice from the Pros
Lesson 7.2 - Tips and Tricks
Discussion 7.1 - Share your research








Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Instructor's Response Time & Feedback
Online classes provide unique challenges for interaction. For messages sent to me, I will respond in the specified amount of time. Feedback is an important part of learning; please look for feedback on your assignments that I provided in the specified amount of time. To find feedback, see the tutorials below.
It is my goal to:
  • Respond to student messages within 2 business days
  • Provide grades and feedback within 7 days from the due date

Attendance Policy

Class meets online (asynchronously). Students should take the attendance quiz in Canvas upon logging into the course shell.

Canvas Information

Financial Wellness and Support

Finances are an integral part of maintaining your wellbeing. If you are struggling financially or wish to know more about budgeting, please visit the Financial Wellness Center in room 201C in the Sharwan Smith Center, contact Ashleigh Zimmerman at (435) 865-8436, or text the Financial Wellness line at 435-708-1952.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.