Film, TV, and Game Scoring Program in Los Angeles

Los Angeles
Ages 14+
Learn how to tell a story and evoke emotions through your music at the Film, TV, and Video Game Scoring Program in Los Angeles. In this five-day program, you'll discover easy-to-learn, but powerful compositional tools to write cinematic music. Interact with high-profile composers in a close setting, study the basics of composing for orchestra, and develop production techniques to produce polished recordings using your laptop. Students will study in Los Angeles, the heart of the Hollywood film industry, on the campus of the Colburn School.
Dates
July 31-August 4
Check-in Time
July 31, 9 - 11 am
Departure
Coming Soon
Tuition
$1,495
Registration fee
$50 (nonrefundable)
Register Request Info
 

How to Enroll

  1. Submit your registration.* Begin by submitting your registration online. If applicable, you may need to submit additional supporting materials.
  2. Make your tuition payment by June 1.* All programs have limited capacity, so be sure to complete your full tuition payment to reserve your space in the program.

*Please note: This program has limited capacity. Submission of registration materials alone does not guarantee participation in the program. You will secure your spot by paying in full. When the program capacity has been reached, registrants who have not paid in full will be placed on a waitlist.

Curriculum

You'll participate in core writing classes, visiting artist lectures from high-profile Hollywood composers, and hands-on technology sessions. By the end of the program, you will have a greater understanding of:

  • how to identify the right emotions of a scene
  • how to compose cinematic music that dramatically supports a scene
  • how to create realistic-sounding demos using your laptop
  • the basics of composing for orchestra
  • how to record with a professional ensemble 
  • how to find work as a film composer
Schedule

Below is a sample of a typical day in the program.

Time Event
9 AM–10:20 AM Film Score Analysis
10:30 AM–11:50 PM Composition and orchestration
12 PM–12:50 PM Lunch
1 PM–2:20 PM Guest Artist
2:30 PM–4:50 PM Music Production
5 PM–6 PM Lab Time or Recording Mentoring

Schedule subject to change.

Performance Opportunities

The program will culminate in our big finale, which is screening of the clips scored by students on Friday. This will be an opportunity to share with friends and family what you have been working on over the course of your time with us. 

Requirements

All students 14 and older with an interest in film scoring are welcome to attend.

Program-Specific Details

Participants will study on the campus of the Colburn School. This program is conveniently located in the L.A.'s downtown arts corridor at 200 South Grand Avenue. Students are encouraged to commute to campus or stay in a local hotel with family.

Students must remain on the Colburn School campus during this program.

Program Director

  • Sean McMahon
    Class of 2000
    Assistant Chair, Film Scoring
    Sean McMahon is assistant chair in the Film Scoring Department at Berklee College of Music.
Once You've Enrolled

Once you're enrolled visit our Next Steps for Enrolled Students to make sure you have everything you need for your program.

Check your email for important information

  • You should continue to check the email that you used to enroll in the program for important information.
  • You will receive a detailed check-in email with information regarding your assigned arrival location and a link to view your program schedule one to two weeks prior to the start date of your program.
  • When you arrive on campus, you will receive additional program information to guide you through your program.

What to bring

  • A laptop with a digital audio workstation (DAW) such as GarageBand (free), Logic, Cubase, or Reaper (free), and notation software such as MuseScore (free), Finale, Dorico, or Sibelius already installed
  • Sample libraries on your laptop or external hard drive. This can be Berlin Orchestra Created with Berklee, EastWest, Kontakt, built-in Logic or Garage Band samples, Garriton Personal Orchestra, and many others.
  • A pair of professional headphones (that completely cover the ears), if possible, such as the Sony MDR-7506 or AKG K24
  • Any 25-key (or more) MIDI keyboard with cable that connects to your laptop
  • Review our list of instruments and gear to bring to your program in this knowledge base article.
  • If you are staying on campus, you can reference this packing list with any additional items you’ll need while attending your program.
Register (Opens in a new window)