P13396 BA Sound Design – None

Sound plays a vital role within a wide range of visual contexts, enhancing narrative techniques, engaging the audience and even modulating and transforming the interpreted meaning of the image. This course will expand students knowledge and skills, increasing their awareness of the role that sound plays within ostensibly visual contexts. Students will begin to formally analyse and reflect upon the role that sound plays within mixed media contexts and will work to develop creative practical outputs which build upon and explore these areas. There will be a balance of creative & technical skills which are transferable to film, television, games, animation and interactive media applications.

On successful completion of this course a student will be able to:

1. Produce original soundtracks / sound design / compositions for image and demonstrate a critical understanding of issues involved.

2. Articulate an understanding of audio-visual theory through analyzing and critiquing existing sound work for image, referencing a range of sources.

3. Identify & apply appropriate sound design techniques to the planning, recording & post production of a soundtrack for film or digital media

4. Individually plan and manage the delivery of a portfolio of work to a set deadline (with tutorial support).

Creative practice compositing for still and moving image sequences; Audio-visual theory; Analysis of sound within moving image contexts; Critical listening to organised sound and the sonic environment; Building soundtracks; Sound/music sequencing; Using professional recorders, microphones & mixers; Recording & creating sound effects & Foley work; Sound as part of the production process: Sound & narrative; The voice & dialogue; ADR; Sound editing, noise reduction, enhancement, manipulation & transformation; Pre-production workflows, planning and executing the sound elements of a moving image production.

Taught time will include a series of lectures to expose students to current & past practice, creative & technical processes.
Practical experience in studio space & labs to provide the necessary skills.
Tutorials to provide further guidance, develop ideas & keep track of student progress.

Methods of SUMMATIVE Assessment: Soundtrack Analysis
Outcome(s) assessed by summative assessment (Please use the numbers above to refer to these): 2
Grading Mode Numeric
Weighting % 25%
Pass Mark 40%
Word Length Equivalent to 1000 words.
Outline Details: Analysis of a given film soundtrack, applying concepts and terms from theories discussed on the course.

Methods of SUMMATIVE Assessment: Advert Sound Composition
Outcome(s) assessed by summative assessment (Please use the numbers above to refer to these): 1,3,4
Grading Mode Numeric
Weighting % 25%
Pass Mark 40%
Word Length Equivalent to 1000 words.
Outline Details: Develop a soundtrack for a 30s advert film.

Nature of FORMATIVE assessment supporting student learning: In class tasks. Feedback and discussion in class.

Methods of SUMMATIVE Assessment: Creative Portfolio
Outcome(s) assessed by summative assessment (Please use the numbers above to refer to these): 1 ,2, 3, 4
Grading Mode Numeric
Weighting % 50%
Pass Mark 40%
Word Length Equivalent to 2000 words.
Outline Details: An audio based composition to a moving image sequence, with accompanying reflective report and evaluation.

Nature of FORMATIVE assessment supporting student learning: In class tasks. Feedback and discussion in class.