Film Scoring Programs

There are many paths a young composer can take that may or may not lead to a successful career in film scoring, but there is one thing that is certain across all areas of the music industry and that is that professionals expect you to know what you're doing and deliver the highest quality performance that you're capable of. Everyone makes mistakes, that's how we learn to improve, but there will be times in every musician's career where they are thrown into a situation with insane deadlines and zero prior experience - it's part of the initiation process. 

With film scoring becoming more and more popular as a career path, colleges and higher education programs are jumping at the opportunity to fill the need. I, myself, graduated from Berklee College of Music with a degree in Film Scoring, so I may be a little biased, but I'll try to give my honest opinion of various programs based on what I know and what I have heard. Keep in mind, these are only my opinions - links are there for your own research.

Bachelor Degrees

As far as I know, Berklee College of Music offers the only true Bachelor of Music with a Film Scoring degree. This is the program that I graduated from, as have many others such as Joey Newman and Howard Shore. This is a great program because it allows a young student right out of high school to begin training for their career in fIlm scoring. They have an enormous amount courses to choose from, ranging from orchestration styles to video game scoring, and in 2014 they opened an incredible new facility.

Prerequisites: Application and audition

Who is it for: Any musician who is serious about taking their craft to the next level and begin studying Film Scoring.

Pros:

• Professors are working and veteran composers and industry professionals.
• Access to incredible musicians and recording facilities.
• Boston is an amazing city to live in.

Cons:

• Berklee is expensive, but does offer financial aid.

Musicians Institute offers a Bachelor of Music in Composition (Scoring for Visual Media Program). The program offers a variety of excellent courses that prepare the student for a career as a composer, orchestrator, arranger, copyist, editor and more. Though the courses offered are not quite as diverse as those at Berklee, they do give you most of what you'll need in the field.

Prerequisites: Application, tests and audition

Who is it for: Any musician who is serious about receiving a Bachelors degree specializing in music for visual media, and would prefer to be in Los Angeles.

Pros:

• Located in Hollywood, CA.
• Access to recording facilities and professional equipment.
• Good curriculum.

Cons:

• No housing.
• Focuses only on Logic and Pro Tools. (Digital Performer is also used by many composers)

Master Degrees

The Royal College of Music in London offers a Master of Music Degree (2 years, or 3 years part-time) and a Master of Composition Degree (2 years, or 3 years part-time).
 
Prerequisites:
 
In the USA, a High School Graduation Diploma
For composition, you must submit a portfolio with 2-5 contrasting examples of your compositions
Composition for screen applicants should be able to demonstrate
-Musicality
-Instrumentation and orchestral skills
-Proficiency in sequencing
-Experience with a DAW
-An awareness of the music’s narrative and dramatic functions in and beyond film and multimedia

Who is it for:
 
50% of RCM’s students come from 64 different countries around the globe. Their students include those transferring from other universities and those beginning an undergraduate program. 

Pros:

• Visitors include Hans Zimmer, Michael Giacchino, Howard Shore, and Rachel Portman
• Offers auditions in The US in Boston or New York
• Brand new residence hall
• John Barry Scholarship for Film Composition

Cons:

• Overseas tuition can be three times the tuition for domestic students

The National Film and Television School, based in the UK, offers a two-year MA validated by the Royal College of Art as well as various diploma, certificate and short courses. “The NFTS runs more behind the camera courses than any other film school in the world.”
 
Prerequisites: Most applicants have a degree from a university, but the school will consider applicants with no degree who have an impressive portfolio.

Who is it for: People with at least some experience, most applicants are in their early-twenties to mid-thirties

Pros:

• Many graduates from this University have been awarded BAFTAs and nominations on films they have worked on.
• NFTS has half of all film school Oscar nominations from 2010-2015.
• The head of Post Production is Dean Humphreys who has worked with directors like Roman Polanski, Ridley Scott, Bernardo Bertolucci and more.

Cons:

• Scholarships and financial aid seem to apply only to UK students, which could be a hindrance for someone looking from The States, and the tuition costs more for overseas students.

NYU offers a Scoring for Film and Multimedia program that can be taken through a Master of Music in Music Composition or Master of Music in Music Technology path. The composition path emphasizes composing for film, interactive and web-based media, whereas the technology path emphasizes music editing, sound design and recording.

Prerequisites: Portfolio and letters of recommendation.

Who is it for: New York is a great city for music and music for visual media. I would say this would be a great school for students who would like to earn a Masters degree, are serious about learning about film scoring and would like to live in a big city that is not Los Angeles.

Pros:

• Wide range of topics covered, from business and technology to composition and technical applications.
• In a major music and multimedia city.
• Access to incredible musicians.

Cons:

• Lack of access to Los Angeles connections (for those who want a career in "Hollywood").

UCLA offers a Master of Arts in Composition for Visual Media degree that incorporates digital composition and live orchestral readings and recordings, as well as seminars and guest lectures by both concert and film composers.

Prerequisites: Undergraduate Degree, Portfolio and References

Who is it for: This program seems like a good "middle of the road" graduate path for composers who want serious training in film scoring in Los Angeles, but are also looking to receive a full Masters degree.

Pros:

• In the heart of Los Angeles.
• Offers lectures given by working A list composers.
• Live orchestra recordings.

Cons:

• Seems to focus more on music composition, rather than technical and business aspects of film scoring.

The Seattle Film Institute offers a one year Master of Music in Film Scoring program, lead and created by TV composer Hummie Mann. The program allows students to learn about industry standard software, integrating electronic elements with live musicians, and recording techniques for as much as a 50 piece orchestra. 

Prerequisites: Undergraduate Degree and Advanced Training in Music

Who is it for: Because the school is in Seattle and not run by Los Angeles professionals, this program may be best for composers who simply wish to broaden their understanding, are looking to teach in the future, or are planning to live and work in Seattle.

Pros:

• Record with 50 piece orchestra.
• Learn about technical aspects of scoring to picture.
• Study under working or veteran composers.

Cons:

• Lack of Los Angeles connections (for those who want a career in "Hollywood").

Columbia College Chicago offers a two year MFA Music Composition for the Screen that focuses on film, television, video games and jingle writing. The program is designed to prepare students for entering the industry - notice I stress "entering". Every program on this list will teach you how to do the job, many will give you opportunities for networking and getting started; this program offers opportunities and support for its alumni to give the student the best chance to enter the industry - the program even ends in L.A.

Prerequisites: Undergraduate Degree in related field and cumulative GPA of 3.0 and above.

Who is it for: Musicians with advanced musical training who are seeking specialized training in Film Scoring, especially those interested in working in Los Angeles.

Pros:

• Offers Career Development, Industry Connection and Alumni Placement.

• Support and insight from LA professionals such as Danny Elfman and Robert Kraft.
• Final project is recorded on a motion picture scoring stage.

Cons:

• The only "con" I could think of was that they only offer courses in Logic and Protools. While there's nothing wrong with Logic and Protools, it would be nice to have the option to learn about other DAWs.

Pulse College in Dublin, Ireland, in association with the DIT Conservatory of Music & Drama, offers a one-year Masters in Scoring for Film & Visual Media. The program offers a well rounded curriculum that encompasses orchestration, composition, business, technology, analysis and just about everything you need to know to get started in the film scoring industry.

Prerequisites: Visit the website for more details.

Who is it for: Trained musicians who are interested in a quick, year long, education in the film scoring world. Musicians living outside of the USA may benefit from the school more than American students, simply due to convenience of location.

Pros:

• Final ensemble is recorded with 110 piece orchestra.
• Staff includes tutors from notable film scoring programs like USC and UCLA.
• Three scholarships are available, including residency at Christopher Young's Tildan House in Los Angeles.
• Visiting professionals include top Holywood film composers.

Cons:

• For American composers, the school is not located in a city where you can build a lot of North American connections. However, the education and experience (not to mention getting to study in Ireland) could be well worth the sacrifice, plus there are some opportunities to meet Los Angeles professionals.

Certificate Programs

USC's Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television (SMPTV) program is probably the best option for composers who are seriously looking at a career in Hollywood. It is not a degree, but the professors are highly qualified, working professionals such as Chris Young, Dennis Sands, and my mentor (or one of many) J. Eric Schmidt.

Prerequisites: Contact admissions.

Who is it for: Composers serious about having a career in Hollywood, who are looking for training AND connections, and not necessarily the degree.

Pros:

• Incredible faculty.
• Addresses nearly every aspect of film scoring.
• Record with same orchestra that A list composers use.

Cons:

• Lack of financial aid.
• Encouraged to live and study in Los Angeles without a job.

UCLA offers a Film Scoring Extension Program for just about anyone who is interested. I'll be honest, I don't know much about this one, but I'll try to outline it the best I can.

Prerequisites: Access to, and basic knowledge and understanding of MIDI sequencers; basic understanding of music.

Who is it for: Pretty much anyone who is interested in learning about film scoring.

Pros:

• Open to just about anyone.
• Begin to understand the world of film scoring.
• Record with live musicians.

Cons:

• Not a degree.

Individual Classes

Berkleemusic is the online branch of Berklee College of Music, and offer an introductory course on Film Scoring. The class touches on a lot of important aspects of film scoring and can be a great stepping stone for someone interested with little experience.

Prerequisites: Understanding of writing music and using MIDI sequencers.

Who is it for: This is a flexible and cost effective way for someone to spend 3 months getting to know the film scoring world, and is done completely online.

Pros:

• Cheaper than full programs.
• Very flexible.
• Touches on many major aspects of film scoring.

Cons:

• Lack of physical interaction to professor and students.
• No industry connections.