Components of a soundtrack
Specific approaches to sound design for film and games
Location sound recording
Post-production techniques
Multidisciplinary collaboration
Project management
Mixing and mastering in stereo and surround sound

Portfolio of Sound Design Creations – a minimum of 3 minute and a maximum of 6 minutes of original sound design content spread across as many different clips as required. Each clip will be discussed and agreed with the lecturer in advance of starting work. (LO1,2,3 & 4)

Report on creation of sound designs will review the overall genre of the clips, set up the broad expectations associated with the design for each of them and then detail the techniques used to achieve that. In addition, it will describe areas of specific success within the project and how this can be generalised to support future success as well as areas for improvement and strategies for improving that and avoiding it in the future. (LO 1 and 3)

A mixture of lectures, practical workshops, seminars and technical instruction.

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the practical and theoretical fundamentals of planning, recording, synchronisation and audio processing with regard to sound design for visual media
Communication

2. Apply sound design principles and techniques in the effective use of hardware and software on location and in post-production.
Application, Problem Solving

3. Research, implement and evaluate (both qualitatively and quantitatively) the creation and combining of dialogue, foley, effects, ambience and music in realising film and games soundtracks
Enquiry.

4. Develop knowledge of project and file management with specific application to audio for visual media. Analysis, Reflection.

Recording Studios, Music Labs, Equipment from stores.

Ament, V.T. (2014). The Foley Grail: The Art of Performing Sound for Film, Games, and Animation. Oxford: Focal Press.

Cross, M. (2013). Audio Post Production: For Film and Television. Milwaukee, WI: Berklee Press Publications.

Marks, A. (2008). The Complete Guide to Game Audio: For Composers, Musicians, Sound Designers, Game Developers. Oxford: Focal Press.

Rumsey, F. (2001). Spatial audio. Music technology series. Oxford: Focal Press.

Sonnenschein, D. (2001). Sound Design: The Expressive Power of Music, Voice and Sound Effects in Cinema. Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Productions.

Viers, R. (2014). The Sound Effects Bible: How to Create and Record Hollywood Style Sound Effects. Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Productions.

Wyatt, H. & Amyes, T. (2004). Audio Post Production for Television and Film: An introduction to technology and techniques. 3rd Ed. Focal Press.

Designing sound for visual media is a practice which exists right across a whole host of different media – from online content to TV, films movies and games – sound plays a key role underpinning it all. Creating that sound is a specialised role that needs the right skills and strategies – this module will help you develop that.