Semester.ly

Johns Hopkins University | AS.061.381

Sound on Film

3.0

credits

Average Course Rating

(4.32)

This 3-credit upper-level course, sponsored by the Film and Media Studies Program at JHU and the program in Recording Arts and Sciences at the Peabody Institute, will offer undergraduates and faculty/staff from both institutions an unprecedented opportunity to collaborate on all aspects of designing soundtracks for film. Utilizing in-progress works, student filmmakers from the Film and Media Studies program will work with Peabody students to create soundtracks, from the initial phases of composition and scoring to the final stages of recording and sound syncing. Students will work in small teams in a lab setting to create their soundtracks, exploring a variety of scenarios, including the implications of image-driven music vs music-driven images, and the various uses of acoustic and electronic sound. Lab work will be supplemented by guest lectures and faculty presentations on various aspects—practical, theoretical, and historical—of applying sound to film. Guest lecturers will include sound designers and engineers, composers, editors, historians of film sound, and filmmakers working in both live action and animated film. Weekly film screenings.

Fall 2014

(3.91)

Spring 2013

(4.55)

Spring 2014

(4.5)

Fall 2014

Professor: Thomas Dolby, Karen Yasinsky

(3.91)

Students felt the best aspects of this course included the chance to see a project come together over the course of the semester and the knowledge and expertise of the instructor. The chance for Peabody and Homewood students to work together was another high point of the class. The worst aspects of the course included the short due date for film responses and the lack of much guidance regarding the technical aspects of sound design. Suggestions for improving the course included changing the screening time and going into more depth on the technical aspects of sound production. Prospective students should know that the course is light on technical instruction but the collaborations can be interesting.

Spring 2013

Professor: Karen Yasinsky

(4.55)

129 The best aspects of this course included the opportunity for students to work with sound engineers and composers, as well as the creative freedom the instructors provided. Some students felt that it was asking too much of them – the regularly assigned readings and reading responses on top of the 2 film projects. One suggestion was for instructors to make clear what each person is responsible for within their assigned team. Another suggestion was to nix the reading reviews. Prospective students should know that the course requires a great deal of time, and a working knowledge of film production is highly recommended.

Spring 2014

Professor: Karen Yasinsky

(4.5)

Many students agreed that the best aspects of this course were the film screenings, the relaxed environment, and the group project. Students received lots of hands-on training and professional preparation. Team work was involved in this course and the course material was made understandable by the professor. Many students disliked the conflict of schedules between Homewood and Peabody classmates. This conflict made the group project both difficult and frustrating for many. Suggestions for improvement include more collaboration during class time instead of outside of class, and more unification between group partners. Prospective students should know that this course is time consuming but fun.