Scoring a film scene
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can create a piece of music for a short scene.
Key learning points
- Film composers have to carefully match musical changes to precise cues and timestamps.
- Manipulating the tempo is one method that helps to fit sections of music to specific timings.
- Sometimes transitions between sections are deliberately sudden to match sudden changes in the action.
- Composers can also make more musical transitions by ‘blending’ features of the two sections to create a seamless change.
Keywords
Cue - a precise moment in a scene where something happens, requiring the music to match it
Timestamp - a specific moment in time in a composition (e.g. 01:25 - 1 minute and 25 seconds)
Musical transition - when two sections of music are linked in a coherent and musically satisfying way
Common misconception
Changes between moods in a scene should always be sudden.
This is not always the case. Sometimes it is more appropriate to create a gradual change so that the shift isn't dramatically obvious. This might be where there is a gradual change of mood or action in a scene.
Teacher tip
Consider extending learning by challenging pupils to create an additional section of the scene from 1:20 - 1:40, with a contrasting mood. They can choose to transition into this contrasting section either using a seamless transition or a sudden shift.
Equipment
DAW, notation software, keyboard or other suitable instrument as a composition tool
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a storyboard?
Q2.A __________ is a precise moment in a scene where something happens, requiring the music to match it.
Q3.What is a timestamp?
Q4.Match each type of cue to its description.
matches a change in a character’s action or movement
matches a specific emotion shown on screen
matches a change in location or setting
matches a particular character appearing or leaving
Q5.To create a sudden sense of energy at a cue, which of these would be effective?
Q6.To create a sudden sense of sadness at a cue, which of these would be effective?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Adjusting the of music helps it fit precisely with cues.
Q2.Why do composers need cues?
Q3.How many bars of 4/4 music would fill 20 seconds at 48 BPM?
Q4.Why might a composer choose to have a sudden musical change at a cue?
Q5.Why might a composer choose to create a more seamless transition at a cue?
Q6.Which of these are methods of making transitions more seamless?
To help you plan your 10 music lesson on: Scoring a film scene, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 music lesson on: Scoring a film scene, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 music lessons from the Film music: developing ideas and understanding unit, dive into the full secondary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.