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.
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 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
Location(s)
- Colburn School, Los Angeles, California
Schedule
- July 28 - August 1, 2025
Cost/Compensation
- Tuition: $2,045
- Housing: $1,500
Eligibility 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.
- Students should have the following 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 a 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 a laptop
Deadline
- June 1, 2025
Application or Entry Requirements
- Completed online registration form
Notifications of Decisions
Financial Aid Details
Other Dates to Keep in Mind
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Berklee College of Music is a private music college located in Boston, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1945 and offers undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields of music, including performance, composition, music education, and music therapy. Known for its diverse student body, with over 100 countries represented among its students, Berklee has a unique curriculum that emphasizes practical, hands-on learning with a focus on performance and collaboration. Berklee students benefit from the college’s strong connection to the music industry, including partnerships and collaborations with record labels, music publishers, and other industry professionals. The college has a vibrant campus culture featuring over 700 performances and events each year, such as concerts, master classes, and workshops. Berklee has produced many notable alumni, including musicians John Mayer, Quincy Jones, Esperanza Spalding, Steve Vai, and Charlie Puth.
