Composition  and  Moving  Image  Media  –  MU71049A  

 
Production  Music  -­‐‑  Exercise    
 
1.  Write,  arrange  and  record  a  piece  of  music  that  is  between  2  and  3  minutes  in  length,  
using  the  accompanying  lists  of  genres,  instruments,  styles  and  moods  as  a  starting  
point.    
 
Prepare  by  researching  existing  libraries,  identifying  key  characteristics  in  the  music  of  
your  chosen  genre.  Please  do  not  create  a  sound-­‐‑alike  of  an  existing  piece.    
 
Things  you  must  consider:  
 
-­‐‑   Engaging  starts  –  to  catch  attention  (establish  mood  quickly  -­‐‑  imagine  a  
production  assistant  who  is  on  a  deadline  and  easily  bored)  
-­‐‑   Intensity  changes  –  varied  emotional  dynamics  tell  stories  
-­‐‑   A  maximum  of  three  different  sections  (unless  more  are  required  by  stylistic  
convention)  
-­‐‑   No  changing  key  
-­‐‑   No  changing  tempo  
-­‐‑   No  fade  outs  
 
Things  you  might  consider:  
 
-­‐‑   Quiet  sections  /  breakdowns  –  for  voiceovers,  logo  or  intro    
-­‐‑   Edit-­‐‑friendly  features  –  clear  downbeats  
-­‐‑   Easily  loop-­‐‑able  sections  –  to  seamlessly  shorten  or  extend  cuts  -­‐‑  avoid  
unnecessary  overlaps  
-­‐‑   Multiple  hit  points  
-­‐‑   Lyric  or  non-­‐‑lyric  vocals  
-­‐‑   Promo  ready  -­‐‑  optional  ending  point(s)/stop(s)  at  15,  30  or  60  seconds  
-­‐‑   Big  finish  –  big,  over  the  top  ending  in  the  song’s  root  key  
-­‐‑   Additional  ending  –  for  a  ‘pack  shot’    
 
Think  about  how  the  music  might  be  used,  and  which  of  the  above  might  come  in  handy  
for  a  film  editor.  Be  a  mind  reader!  
 
2.  Put  your  work  to  the  test!  Find  a  30-­‐‑60  second  clip  in  your  chosen  genre  (e.g.  TV  
program,  TV  advert,  film  trailer,  corporate  promo,  sports  montage…anything)  and  edit  
your  music  to  the  visuals.  Experiment  with  the  placement  of  your  track's  different  
sections  and  elements.  Remember,  this  is  not  an  exercise  in  scoring  to  picture,  but  
writing  for  potential  commercial  use,  so  do  find  the  footage  only  once  the  music  is  
recorded.  
 
Please  bring  to  the  workshop:  
 
-­‐‑   An  audio  file  of  your  full  recorded  track  
-­‐‑   A  movie  file  of  your  chosen  footage,  with  your  music  edited  and  synched.    
 
There  will  be  an  opportunity  to  explain  your  intentions  to  the  workshop  group  and  
receive  feedback.  
 
To  be  delivered  for  the  workshops  on  Tuesday  6th  February.  
 
 Composition  and  Moving  Image  Media  –  MU71049A  
 
 
Production  Genre  /  Music  for:  
 
Action-­‐‑Adventure   Drones   News  /  Current  Affairs  /  
Adult   Epic  Film   Politics  
Advertising   Fanfare   Production  Elements  /  
Arts   Fashion   Musical  Effects  
Business  /  Corporate  /   Film-­‐‑Movie-­‐‑TV   Religion  
Industrial   Historical   Romance  
Children-­‐‑Kids   Horror   Sci-­‐‑Fi  /  Superheroes  
Christmas   Hunting  /  Riding   Showbiz  /  Entertainment  
Circus   Leisure  /  Lifestyle   Special  Occasions  
Comedy   Links  /  Stings   Sports  
Documentary   Military  /  War   Technology  /  Science  
Drama   Nature  /  Wildlife   TV  Music  /  Themes  
 
Types  of  Instrument:  
 
Acoustic  Guitar   Electric  Guitar   Sound  Effects  
Banjo   Ensembles   Strings  
Big  Band   Ethnic  Instruments   Synthesizer  
Bongo   Jazz  Band   Trumpet  
Brass   Jazz  Guitar   Ukulele  
Brass  Band   Keyboard   Violin  
Cello   Music  Box   Vocals  
Choir   Orchestra   Whistle  
Double  Bass   Percussion   Woodwind  
Drums   Piano   Xylophone  
 
Music  Styles:  
 
Blues   Folk   Marching  Band  
Classical   Funk   Opera  
Country   Gospel   Punk  
Disco   Heavy  Metal   Pop  
Drones   Hip  Hop   Rap  
Drum  and  Bass   House   Reggae  
Dubstep   Indie-­‐‑Alternative  Rock   RnB  
Easy  Listening   Jazz   Rock    
Electro  Pop   Kitsch   Traditional  Dance  
Electronica   Latin   World  Music  
 
Moods:  
 
Abstract   Dramatic   Magical  
Adventurous   Driving   Motion  
Ambient   Emotional   Proud  
Atmospheric   Energetic   Quirky  
Beauty   Fantasy   Romantic  
Bright   Fun   Sad  
Building   Happy-­‐‑Positive   Sexy  
Comical-­‐‑Humorous   Inspirational   Simple  
Confident   Laid  back   Suspense-­‐‑tension  
Determined   Love   Uplifting