Film, TV, and Game Scoring Program in Los Angeles

How to Enroll

Submit your registration by June 1.* Begin by submitting your registration online. If applicable, you may need to submit additional supporting materials.
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.

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

General Requirements

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

Participants must possess a proficient level of English to enroll in this program. We do not require proof of English language proficiency (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo) as part of the enrollment or application process; however, you are expected to have a sufficient command of the English language to understand class material and assignments.

Required Materials

A laptop with a digital audio workstation (DAW) such as GarageBand (free), Logic, Cubase, or Reaper (free), and notation software such as MuseScore (free), Dorico, or Sibelius already installed
Sample libraries on your laptop or external hard drive. This can include Berlin Orchestra Created with Berklee, EastWest, Kontakt, built-in Logic or GarageBand 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 a cable that connects to your laptop

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

Dave Green

Sean McMahon

Class of 2000

Chair

"An original score is one of the most effective ways filmmakers can achieve their creative vision. In many ways, I feel film composing is less about creating a product (the music itself) and more about providing a service (the collaborative process)."

Once You've Enrolled

The Berklee Summer Programs Team is excited that you've taken the first step! Now that you've enrolled, here's what to know, to be sure you're prepared before and after you check in for the experience of a lifetime.

What to do first?

Important: continually check the email you used to enroll

Please regularly check the email you used to enroll in your program for important updates. A detailed check-in email, containing information about your assigned arrival location, housing assignment (if applicable), and program schedule, will be sent one to two weeks before your program's start date.

Request accessibility accommodations (if needed)

Accommodations are provided for students with documented medical needs, offering services such as academic accommodations, academic coaching, special housing arrangements, dietary adjustments, and referrals to on-campus support, including adaptive technology and tutoring.

Accommodations are determined through an interactive process involving the student, faculty, the Office of Housing and Residential Education, a dietitian, and Accessibility Resources for Students staff. Requests for academic, housing, and dietary accommodations can be made by following the steps outlined in this Help Center article.

Complete These Tasks by June

Complete the items in your Magnus Health account by June 1

We require up-to-date health information, documentation for the required immunizations mandated by Massachusetts law, as well as conduct and consent forms for all students. Instructions on accessing your Magnus Health account will be sent via email to all registered students in mid-spring.

If you have more questions you can review our help center. Here are some articles that might be helpful:

Prepare to Arrive and Check In

Download the Guidebook app

A few days before your program starts, you will receive instructions to download the Guidebook app. This app enables you to access your program schedule and connect with fellow Summer Programs students.

Directions, parking, and hotels for Los Angeles Summer Programs

Parking: Parking on the Colburn campus is reserved for students, faculty, and staff. However many convenient public parking options are nearby. We recommend Athena Parking, located on 2nd Street between Olive and Hill Streets. Parking is also available in the nearby Walt Disney Concert Hall garage.

Hotels: Browse this list in our help center to find hotels in the Los Angeles—Colburn School Area.

Access the Summer Programs Help Center

Explore some of these top articles from the Summer Programs Help Center.