Music 1770: Intro to Music Technology

Logic Project #5 (final project): A TV Theme Song

Overview

Parameters and Requirements

• Your theme must be approximately 60-120 seconds long. TV theme songs cram a lot into a short span of time - you can’t afford to waste any compositional time with music that doesn’t have any direction.
• No pre-existing loops
• No samples
• You can create your tracks via MIDI controller, other forms of MIDI entry/creation in Logic, or by recording new audio. Quantize as appropriate for the feel you are after.
• You must use at least four different Software Instruments. Audio tracks are optional.
• You must have a clear and defined melody: something people can sing in the shower—or at least melodically memorable enough that they want to and can try, even if it’s hard to (like the classic Twilight Zone theme).
• If appropriate, consider adding some sound effect by downloading from a site like freesound.org or recording on your own (Foley). But remember: no use of anything you would call pre-recorded music.
• Use Markers to indicate any specific “hit points” and also to describe what is happening more generally from section to section in the video and how it relates to your music.
• Name all tracks in a way that makes clear their sound and their role in the mix. If you have more than about a half-dozen tracks, us colors to help organize them. Use the Notepad to comment on anything notable or unusual in individual tracks.

Directions

Rip a TV intro from YouTube, or another streaming service, or a DVD. On YouTube, you can do this with a Premium subscription or with various (not necessarily legal) third-party software apps. But you can also do it via QuickTime Player > File > New Screen Recording. Quality may be somewhat reduced, but it is simple and free. Here are fuller instructions on using QuickTime for screen recording.

Trim the video as needed (in QuickTime, command-T) so that it’s only the opening title sequence, save it to a location you identify, then link it to a new Logic file.

Important file management tip: before linking your video in Logic, put it and the Logic file together into a single folder. (This will prevent Logic from “losing track” of your video when you port your project from one computer to another, or upload it to Teams.)

Set the frame rate to match the video you imported (let your video import guide you).

Change the project window to reflect both beats and time code (SMPTE).

Add in Markers to your project showing the various spots where a specific action will be taking place that will dictate what the music is doing, or scene cuts, or helpful formal structures.

If you imported the original audio track, mute or delete it.

Compose an awesome new theme according to the parameters laid out above.

Export your music to a new video file.

Planning Guide

Complete the following by midnight Friday 4/18

• What is my TV show?
• How long is the opening sequence?
• What is the general feeling I want to evoke for the show?
• What sort of music will do this? (what tempo, genre, feel)
• What instruments might I use?
• Are there any specific spots that I would want to emphasize musically? How would I do that? Think of the ending especially—how will the music end?—as well as the music’s entry.
• What Foley sounds might be good to import into the project?
• As I compose my melody, can I sing or whistle it back? What would it actually look like if I were to write it out?

Submission

Upload to Teams a folder with your name that includes:

1. Your .logicx file
2. Your video clip linked to the movie from this location (this will be explained in class)
3. An exported video with your accompanying audio. Be sure no original audio is present!
4. A 1-page paper that outlines the following:
   • TV Show Name
   • Your approach - what was your musical goal with the piece? What instruments did you select and why?
   • If you added Foley, what and how? Describe the process.
   • Self-critique your work. Is there a spot in the music that works really well and you’re very happy with? Is there a spot that doesn’t work as well? Does your music work well for the TV Show? - i.e., if you sent it to the producer what do you imagine they would say?

Two tunes with striking melodic timbres

Stromae, Papaoutai (note melody at)

Star Trek theme, composed by Alexander Courage (main melody played by soprano, flute, and organ in unison)

Twilight Zone Season Two theme

Flying Fists