module specification

In this module you will develop upon the sound design and audio-visual production skills learned in MD4012. In doing so you will expand upon your practice working with sound to support visual media.

Through workshops and guided studio practice, you will explore a range of approaches to creating and designing digital sound effects and recording Foley sound. Consequently, developing skills in producing sound for media, films, and games.

You will expand upon the recording techniques learning in MD5053 Recording Studio Practice in semester 1, applying them to the recording of effects and Foley. As a result, also further developing your practice in audio editing, track layering, and digital signal processing.

You will have the opportunity to collaborate on projects with students on the Games and Film and TV Production course or alternatively, work independently to build a portfolio in sound design.

This module aims to:
• Develop your creative practices in particular working in sound design
• Build your vocabulary of sound effects
• Expand your use of microphones and recording techniques
• Introduce career opportunities in Sound Design and sound for film and media
• Develop your skills in audio editing

You will be assessed through a range of sound design tasks over the semester, with a final major sound design assessment either working on a live project or agreed piece of media.

• Sound design for visual media (LO1, 4)
• Sound effects and Foley (LO1, 3, 4)
• Audio editing and digital signal processing (LO1)
• Track layering (LO1)
• Synchronisation and dubbing of sound to visual media (LO1, 2, 4)
• Recording techniques and microphone placements (LO1, 3, 4)
• Stereo recording techniques (LO1, 3, 4)

Students teaching and learning will consist of weekly classes comprising a combination of seminars, and studio practice workshops totalling 36 hours of contact time. Students will be given the opportunity to engage in practical workshops in the Music Studios, including guided demonstrations and group production tasks.

The learning and teaching in classes will be supported by the University’s VLE and a blended learning approach, sharing class materials, recommended reading. Tutorials will also be offered to support students in the preparation of their assessments.

In addition, students will undertake independent study, including researching, assessment planning and studio practice supported by the music technical demonstrator.

Students will engage in reflective practice, reviewing their own, and each other’s recordings.

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

LO1.  Demonstrate effective sound design strategies.
LO2.  Successfully synchronise audio to on-screen visual cues.
LO3.  Demonstrate critical and analytical listening, by evaluating reference works.
LO4.  Execute and deliver a large sound design project; to an agreed schedule.

Sound design exercises and 500-word reflection
Students will be given several short sound design tasks to complete. In addition, they are required to complete a 500-word reflection on the production and outcomes of the tasks.

Sound Design Project and 2000-word technical report
Students are required to either:

Complete the sound design on either a selected piece of existing media, such as a film, game or television series.
Or
Collaborate on a live project from students in Games or Film and Television Production.
The project choice must be approved with the Module tutor.

In addition, students are required to produce a 2000-word technical report detailing the stages of production and critically evaluating the outcomes.

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/9F2A73E6-4113-7C33-DC09-88AFAEC2162D.html?lang=en-GB&login=1

Core Reading:
• Ament, V.T. (2022) The foley grail: the art of performing sound for film, games, and animation. Third edition. New York, NY: Routledge.
• Corey, J. and Benson, D.H. (2017) Audio production and critical listening: technical ear training. Second edition. New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group (Audio Engineering Society presents).
• Harrison, T (2021) Sound Design for Film. The Crowood Press Ltd.
• Sonnenschein, D., (2001) Sound design: the expressive power of music, voice, and sound effects in cinema, Michael Wiese Productions, Studio City, California
• Viers, R. (2008) The sound effects bible: how to create and record Hollywood style sound effects. Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Productions.
• Viers, R. (2012) The location sound bible: how to record professional dialogue for film and TV. Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Productions. Woodhall, W. (2011) Audio production and post-production, Jones & Bartlett Learning, Sudbury, Massachusetts

Websites:
• Freesound. Available at: https://freesound.org/
• BBC sound effects. Available at: https://sound-effects.bbcrewind.co.uk/
• Sound Bible. Available at: https://soundbible.com/

Podcasts:
• Twenty Thousand Hertz. Available at: https://www.20k.org/