Soundtrack Aesthetics

Subject guarantor:

Eric ROSENZVEIG

Name of lecturer(s):

Eric ROSENZVEIG

Learning outcomes of the course unit:

To be able to more clearly 'read' the soundtrack of a film.

To use some of the same techniques within your own projects.

Mode of study:

- a theoretical and practical course in understanding the digital sound space for film & video.

Prerequisites and co-requisites:

Ideally Introduction to the Soundtrack 1 or prior experience with creating soundtracks/music in a digital environment.

Recommended optional programme components:

No

Course contents:

This course on the soundtrack will focus on viewing/listening to primarily narrative feature films and analyzing their various approaches to constructing the soundspace.

We will also read theoretical texts on the soundtrack and film music and see how today's technology has made much of older existing theory somewhat redundant.

In many classes we will watch a single film, stopping and starting it and using it as a basis for both technical and aesthetic discussions: „how did they do this and why“?

The course will begin with a basic introduction including theory & elements of the soundtrack; how sound is represented in film through dialogue, narration, music, foley, ambient sound, sound effect/sound design. We will then introduce the technical elements used to shape the soundsspace including volume, reverberation and equalization.

We will then use this basic understanding to deconstruct various filmmaker's goals and desires in choosing to make scenes sound a certain way.

No prior sound experience is necessary but you will be expected to focus closely on listening and hearing films.

Recommended or required reading:

Planned learning activities and teaching methods:

Depending on particular public events corresponding with classes, film screenings might be suggested.

Assessment methods and criteria:

Class attendance & participation 20%

1 page analysis of any film watched in class 20%

4 page analysis of any film watched in class 30%

Research and presentation on a film to be watched in class 30%

(each week a student will collaborate in leading the discussions on a film we will present based on his or her research)

Course web page:

Note:

er@famu.cz

Schedule for winter semester 2012/2013:

	06:00–08:0008:00–10:0010:00–12:0012:00–14:0014:00–16:0016:00–18:0018:00–20:0020:00–22:0022:00–24:00
Mon
Tue
Fri
Thu	místnost 241 Učebna 3 (Lažanský palác) ROSENZVEIG E. 15:40–17:15 (přednášková par. 1)
Fri

Date	Day	Time	Tutor	Location	Notes	No. of paralel
	Thu	15:40–17:15	ROSENZVEIG E.	Učebna 3 Lažanský palác		přednášková par. 1

Schedule for summer semester 2012/2013:

The schedule has not yet been prepared

The subject is a part of the following study plans:

• Animovaná tvorba - bakalář (optional subject)
• Dokumentární tvorba - magistr (optional subject)
• Dokumentární tvorba - bakalář (optional subject)
• Animovaná tvorba - magistr (optional subject)
• Scenáristika a dramaturgie - bakalář (optional subject)
• Scenáristika a dramaturgie - magistr (optional subject)
• Režie - bakalář (optional subject)
• Režie - magistr (optional subject)
• Kamera - bakalář (optional subject)
• Kamera - magistr (optional subject)
• Produkce - bakalář (optional subject)
• Produkce - magistr (optional subject)
• Audiovizuální studia - bakalář (optional subject)
• Střihová skladba - bakalář (optional subject)
• Střihová skladba - magistr (optional subject)
• Zvuková tvorba - bakalář (optional subject)
• Zvuková tvorba - magistr (qualification subject, optional subject)
• Fotografie CZ - bakalář (optional subject)
• Fotografie CZ - magistr (optional subject)
• Fotografie EN - bakalář (optional subject)
• Fotografie EN - magistr (optional subject)
• Audiovizuální studia - magistr (optional subject)
• Cinema and Digital Media - Cinematography (qualification subject, optional subject)
• Cinema and Digital Media - Screenwriting (qualification subject, optional subject)
• Cinema and Digital Media - Directing (qualification subject, optional subject)
• Fotografie CZ: Restaurování fotografie (optional subject)
• Cinematography (optional subject)