Sorry, this page is no longer available
We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
J. Anthony Allen

Every single question posted to this class is answered within 24 hours by the instructor.

Welcome to the The most popular film scoring online course.

This is a class designed for the average person who is ready to take their music career (or music interest) and develop it into something more. Whether you are an active musician or an aspiring musician, this class is perfect for you.

Read more

Every single question posted to this class is answered within 24 hours by the instructor.

Welcome to the The most popular film scoring online course.

This is a class designed for the average person who is ready to take their music career (or music interest) and develop it into something more. Whether you are an active musician or an aspiring musician, this class is perfect for you.

In this course, we will learn the essential techniques used in writing music for the film. Through a series of analysis' of well-known film scenes from your favorite movies we will learn what makes a great cue, and then apply those techniques by writing our own. I'll be showing you some of my own projects for film and television throughout the class, and walk you through my process when composing music for a film project.

By the end of this course, students will understand the tools, lingo, and techniques used in the film composing world and will be ready to dive into their own projects. I'll walk you through how to get started on your first project by using freely available movies that need a score. 

Throughout my career, I've worked with major American orchestras, film studios, and video game designers. I'm also a Ph.D. in music composition and a university professor (of music composition). 

Recently I was named as a semi-finalist for the Grammy Foundation's Music Educator of the Year award because of my in-person university classes. Now I'm taking those classes to Udemy in an online format in order to reach more students and give them the joy of Music Theory.

I'm planning on making several "sections" of this class, and this is Part 1. As the class grows, we will go deeper and deeper into my techniques. 

In this class, we will cover:

  • Tools of the trade

  • Finding the emotional response

  • Music Theory and Genre

  • Scoring for film

  • Using Modes in Film Scores

  • Finding the Message

  • Learning from Temp Cues

  • "Spotting" the film

  • Film score composition techniques

  • Working with industry budgets

  • Diegetic music and non-diegetic music

  • Score and Source

  • The Ostinato

  • Working with silent films

  • Setting up a session

  • Marking hits

  • Scoring the opening credits

  • Motive and Leitmotif

  • Working with Leitmotifs

  • Working with the rhythm in cues

  • POV

  • Finding and analyzing POV scenes

  • Composing using POV

  • And much, much, more.  

And of course, once you sign up for this class, all my other classes are yours at steep discounts. Over half off for all future sections.

The course is a roadmap to launching your career as a composer.

All the tools you need to prepare, organize and start your career are included in this course and the entire course is based on real-life experiences - not just academic theory.

Please click the "Take This Course" button so you can launch your music career today.

I guarantee that this course is the most thorough music business course available ANYWHERE on the market - or your money back (30-day money-back guarantee)

Closed captions have been added to all lessons in this course.

Praise for Courses by Jason Allen:

⇢  "It seems like every little detail is being covered in an extremely simple fashion. The learning process becomes relaxed and allows complex concepts to get absorbed easily. My only regret is not taking this course earlier." - M. Shah

⇢  "Great for everyone without any knowledge so far. I bought all three parts... It's the best investment in leveling up my skills so far.." - Z. Palce

⇢  "Excellent explanations.  No more or less than what is needed." - A. Tóth

⇢  "VERY COOL. I've waited for years to see a good video course, now I don't have to wait anymore. Thank You. " - Jeffrey Koury

⇢  "I am learning LOTS.  And I really like having the worksheets. " - A. Deichsel

⇢  "The basics explained very clearly - loads of really useful tips. " - J. Pook

⇢  "Jason is really quick and great with questions, always a great resource for an online class. " M. Smith

Students who register for this course will receive ongoing exclusive content and discounts for all future classes in the series. 

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Get started building a portfolio of work to show their film composition talents
  • Score a feature film using a variety of techniques
  • Understand the process of writing music for film
  • Write and compose music using proven techniques and tips
  • Create their own music using software, or good old pencil and paper.
  • Generate musical ideas through creativity exercises
  • Tools of the trade: software
  • How do you start?
  • The process
  • Program music and metaphors
  • Character sketches
  • Writing through canon
  • Score and source
  • Practicing with silent films
  • Setting up a session
  • Marking hits
  • Scoring the opening credits
  • Working with rhythm in cues
  • Finding and analyzing pov scenes
  • Creating atmosphere
  • Harmonizing string melodies
  • Polyrhythmic accompaniment
  • Working with string orchestra
  • The chase scene
  • Using the brass section
  • Building tension
  • Show more
  • Show less

Syllabus

Introduction
Tools of the Trade, and a Look at One of My Projects
Update! MuseScore 3.0
What I've Found in Other Film Scoring Classes
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Taught by Dr. Anthony Allen, who has worked with major American orchestras, film studios, and video game designers
Provides students with real-world examples and avoids solely focusing on academic theories
Offers a comprehensive study of film scoring techniques, from basic tools to advanced industry practices
Develops skills in composing music for film, from generating ideas to writing cues
Provides hands-on opportunities to work on real-world projects
Suitable for both aspiring and active musicians seeking to advance their film scoring careers
Introduces students to the tools, terminology, and techniques used in the film scoring industry

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Comprehensive film scoring for aspiring composers

According to students, this bundle offers a highly comprehensive and accessible pathway into film scoring. Learners note the instructor's profound expertise and clear, engaging teaching style, which simplifies complex musical concepts. The course is perceived as a thorough roadmap, guiding students from foundational music theory and analysis techniques to practical, real-world application and strategies for launching a professional career. Many appreciate the focus on detailed analysis of film scenes and the inclusion of the instructor's own projects, providing valuable insights. While its comprehensive nature may lead to a deliberate pace, it is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for both serious hobbyists and aspiring film composers.
Introduces notation software, less emphasis on DAWs.
"The course guided me on using MuseScore for notation, which was a good starting point for learning the tools of the trade."
"While the principles are universally applicable, I felt the course could benefit from more examples using modern digital audio workstations."
"I found the focus on composing with traditional notation valuable, but also explored how to apply these concepts in my preferred DAW."
Structured for clarity, beneficial for varied skill levels.
"As a beginner, I found that complex concepts were absorbed easily because every little detail was covered in an extremely simple fashion."
"The course is great for anyone without prior knowledge; I learned a lot from the clear explanations and useful tips."
"I appreciated that the course is designed for the average person, allowing me to take my music interest further."
Focus on real-world film scene analysis and project insights.
"Analyzing well-known film scenes helped me understand what makes a great cue and apply those techniques to my own writing."
"I really valued seeing the instructor's professional projects and learning his process for composing music for film and TV."
"The practical advice on 'spotting' films and understanding industry dynamics like budgets is extremely valuable for me."
Covers a wide range from fundamentals to career development.
"This bundle is incredibly thorough, teaching me everything from finding emotional responses to working with industry budgets."
"I gained a deep understanding of film scoring techniques, including diegetic music, ostinatos, and leitmotifs, across both parts."
"The course provides a complete roadmap to starting a film composition career, incorporating real-life experiences."
Instructor's vast knowledge and dedication to student success.
"I find Dr. Allen's explanations incredibly clear, and he breaks down complex topics into digestible chunks brilliantly."
"The instructor is a phenomenal teacher; his passion for film scoring is infectious, and he packs lessons with real-world advice."
"I really appreciate that the instructor answers every single question I post within 24 hours, which is incredibly helpful."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Film Scoring Bundle: Writing Music For Films: Parts 1 and 2 with these activities:
Read 'Film Music: A History' by Claudia Gorbman
Gain insights into the history and evolution of film scoring to enhance your understanding of the craft
Show steps
  • Purchase or borrow the book
  • Read the book in its entirety
  • Take notes on key concepts and ideas
Follow online film scoring tutorials
Expand your knowledge and skills by following step-by-step tutorials from experienced professionals
Browse courses on Film Scoring
Show steps
  • Search for online tutorials on film scoring
  • Choose a tutorial that aligns with your skill level and interests
  • Follow the instructions and practice the techniques
Join a study group
Collaborate and share knowledge with other students to enhance your learning
Show steps
  • Find a group of peers who are also taking the course
  • Meet regularly to discuss course materials and work together on assignments
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Practice writing music using different techniques
Enhance your proficiency by regularly practicing and refining your composition skills
Show steps
  • Choose a specific technique to focus on
  • Compose short musical exercises using that technique
  • Repeat the process with different techniques
Attend a film scoring workshop or conference
Immerse yourself in the world of film scoring by attending specialized events and workshops
Browse courses on Film Scoring
Show steps
  • Research upcoming film scoring events
  • Register and attend the event
  • Participate actively in workshops and networking opportunities
Start composing a soundtrack
Reinforce your understanding of film scoring techniques by starting your own composition.
Show steps
  • Choose a film scene to score
  • Analyze the scene and identify key emotional moments
  • Compose a melody and harmony that captures the emotional response
Create a blog or vlog about your film scoring progress
Share your experiences, insights, and compositions with others to engage with the wider film scoring community
Show steps
  • Choose a platform for your blog or vlog
  • Create regular content that showcases your work
  • Interact with your audience and gather feedback
Reach out to professional film composers for guidance
Connect with experienced professionals who can provide valuable insights and support
Show steps
  • Research and identify potential mentors
  • Contact the mentors and express your interest in connecting
  • Establish regular communication and seek guidance

Career center

Learners who complete Film Scoring Bundle: Writing Music For Films: Parts 1 and 2 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser