MUS 334 : Sound Design for Film and Video Games

Creative Arts and Industries

2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

A survey of aesthetic theory, repertoire and techniques associated with the industry practice for composing soundtracks for film and video games.

Course Overview

The course provides students with the opportunity to develop creative skills related to sound design for Film and Game. This course seeks to develop sound design and computer music skills in students who have complete intermediate studies in music technology, production, or composition.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: 15 points from MUS 211, 230

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Music

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Develop proficiency in creatively applying computer-based skills to the practice of sound design. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 and 5.1)
  2. Plan, prepare and implement audio materials into a video game engine and video software. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 and 5.1)
  3. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of sound design techniques for games and film. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 6.1 and 7.1)
  4. Create a career tool portfolio work in your chosen media (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Short Task: ADR 7.5% Individual Test
Short Task: Foley for Film 15% Individual Test
Short Task: Synthesis 7.5% Individual Coursework
Music to Film 15% Individual Coursework
Sound Implementation to Game 15% Individual Coursework
Final Project 40% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Short Task: ADR
Short Task: Foley for Film
Short Task: Synthesis
Music to Film
Sound Implementation to Game
Final Project

Assignments are to be submitted, according to submission type specied on CANVAS, by the due date. In the event of illness or other circumstances that prevent completing an assignment, please contact the course coordinator with evidence as appropriate before the due date. Late assignments that do not have an approved extension will be penalized 10% for each day or part thereof. No assignment will be accepted after that assignment has been returned to students.

Teaching & Learning Methods

Lectures
• Theory and practice of sound design and sound creation
• Teaching practical skills to implement sound in collaborative media contexts 

Tutorials
• Small group work focused on student projects 

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 12 hours of lectures, a 24 hour tutorial, 34 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 80 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including tutorials to complete components of the course.

The course will not include live online events including group discussions.

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

As this course is being revised from a course not taught since 2019, SET and ongoing student feedback will form the basis for future course evolution.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 27/10/2023 08:37 a.m.