KZB270 Composing for Media
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | KZB270 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | KMB119 and KMB129 and 72cp of completed study |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| CSP student contribution | $1,192 |
| Pre-2021 CSP student contribution | $1,020 The pre-2021 commonwealth supported place (CSP) contribution amount only applies to students enrolled in a course prior to 2021. To learn more, visit our Understanding your fees page. |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,704 |
| International unit fee | $4,944 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | KZB270 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | KMB119 and KMB129 and 72cp of completed study |
| Coordinator: | Nicole Carroll | n5.carroll@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit explores how music and sound is used as a storytelling device in a range of visual media. Building upon your awareness as a media consumer and your existing technological skills, you will explore and apply techniques in interdisciplinary contexts. This unit is in the developmental stage of your course and engages you with practical and theoretical approaches, exploring the techniques and contexts of music and visual media in contemporary society.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Apply critical listening and audiovisual analysis skills to evaluate the use of music and sound in a range of visual media.
- Demonstrate understanding of professional workflow and production process towards sound for media by producing original sound design and assets.
- Compose original music and sound design and implement as a narrative device in applicable formats.
- Produce and integrate original sound and musical components in a media project.
Content
This unit explores how music and sound is used as a storytelling device in a range of visual media. Building upon your awareness as a media consumer and your existing technological skills, you will explore and apply techniques in interdisciplinary contexts. This unit is in the developmental stage of your course and engages you with practical and theoretical approaches, exploring the techniques and contexts of music and visual media in contemporary society. During lectures we will explore the role, function and interaction of music, sound and image through an examination of the musical characteristics of style and form selected from a range of music in media examples. We will investigate theoretical and practical aspects of music and sound in linear and non-linear storytelling; the effect and affect of music in media; and the range of technology used in music production in media.
Topics include:
- Functions of film music
- Audiovisual analysis
- Narrative storytelling through sound
- Sound design fundamentals
- Pop music in film
- Games and other non-linear forms (including live cinema and interactive media)
- Music and sound for live performance and theatre
- Sound for animation and video art
Learning Approaches
In this unit, you will learn by engaging in lectures and workshops which investigate theoretical and practical aspects of music and sound, and the range of technology used in music production in media.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback is provided during workshops and comments via Canvas on summative assessment work.
Assessment
Overview
There are three assessments for this unit. The first assessment is theory based and requires application of audiovisual analysis and critique towards sound for visual media. The second assessment is a series of development tasks in preparation for assessment three. Assessment two has three components and provides an opportunity to engage in a professional workflow for film or game music while applying music technology and composition skills developed during class. This assessment includes a presentation of the final project work-in-progress for feedback. Assessment three is an original score and sound design for visual media. Students may work with any format of visual media discussed during the lecture series, including film, games, or other interactive media.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Film Composition and Sound Design Analysis
Write a critical analysis on the role of music and sound design in a piece of visual media, drawing on theory discussed in the unit to date. The writing should include both personal observations and research to support the analysis.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Creative Work Development
Assessment two has three components that contribute to the development of the final project: an in-class spotting session, production paperwork including notes from the spotting session and cue sheets, and a work-in-progress of the original sound design and score delivered two weeks before the final project due date.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Original Composition and Sound Design for Visual Media
Create an original score and sound design for visual media. You may choose to work with linear or non-linear media (film, games, or other interactive media).
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Requirements to Study
Requirements
This unit requires the Tier 1 and Tier 2 Studios inductions.
All students are requested to visit and review the Health and Safety information on the HiQ web pages (CIESJ Tier 1 HSE requirement).
This unit also requires a Tier 2 CIESJ Health and Safety Induction which is provided by the technician on site in the theatre, workshop or studio.
Costs
As well as access to the online resources supplied to you via Canvas and other websites, you will require a pair of enclosed headphones with an appropriate 6.5 and 3.5mm adaptor. You will also need a portable personal file storage, such as a USB thumb drive or similar.
Resources
Reading and audiovisual learning materials will be available online through the unit's Canvas site. Students will be asked to view full-length films available online outside of class meetings. Software required for composition and production will be available via computer labs. Students may access recording equipment from the Z9 Level-5 equipment loan centre (ELC).
Resource Materials
Software
The unit does not require a specific software for producing work; however, the unit learning activities will utilise the software provided in the music labs and studios. The following software is available via the music computer lab:
Ableton Live
Pro Tools
Logic
Risk Assessment Statement
For risks associated with using campus buildings or QUT facilities, refer to the HiQ Health and Safety information. For CIESJ Tier 2 Health and Safety requirements, you will be instructed on safe procedures and the required safety gear for all studio and workshop processes that are demonstrated. Health and Safety files are readily available for all materials and machinery in all studio areas. Technical supervision is provided for workshops and available on a regular basis during the week.
Where substantial computer-based work is required, particularly in the case of fully online students, you are recommended to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work, and ensure that your workstation is set up for optimal comfort to prevent strain or injury.
Excessive noise in confined spaces and/or when listening through headphones can damage hearing. Exposure to such noise should be brief and controlled.
Personal injury is possible from incorrectly lifting heavy electronic or acoustic instruments or equipment.
The use of electronic instruments and equipment may cause electrocution if handled incorrectly or an electrical fault occurs. Always ensure your equipment has been regularly tested by a qualified electrician.
Musical, electrical and computer equipment is prone to failure. Any loss of time for such failures should be accounted for in your planning.
Safety of data storage can never be fully guaranteed. You are required to take all steps necessary to ensure continuity of your data.