Unit outline_

CMPN2333: Composition for Creative Industries 3

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Sydney

Composition for Creative Industries 3 assists students prepare for commercially oriented work for the creative industries. The focus of this semester is on composing for the screen and concentrates on film, television, advertising and animation. Effective communication and briefing techniques that mirror those used in the industry are examined and implemented. Alongside teacher guidance and peer feedback, this unit offers extensive deliverable content, instruction and modelling.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Composition and Music Technology
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
CMPN1332 or PERF2601
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Alison Cole, alison.cole@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Alison Cole, alison.cole@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length
Creative assessment / demonstration AI Allowed CREATIVE PROJECT
Compose a score for one of the short films provided
25% Formal exam period
Due date: 10 Jun 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 16 Jun 2025
Up to 3 mins
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Creative assessment / demonstration AI Allowed SHOWREEL & REFLECTIVE STATEMENT
Completed work incorporating feedback + rationale + Creative Project
35% Formal exam period
Due date: 10 Jun 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 16 Jun 2025
Up to 8 mins/written rationale
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Attendance hurdle task Participation & Attendance
Attendance/participation
15% Ongoing n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Online task hurdle task Early Feedback Task AI Allowed Early Feedback Task - Canvas quiz
Canvas quiz #earlyfeedbacktask
5% Week 03 10-20mins
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5
Creative assessment / demonstration AI Allowed CREATING A SONIC IDENTITY - FINAL
Creating a 60-second sonic identity for Foxtel's CI Channel
10% Week 04
Due date: 18 Mar 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 16 Jun 2025
60 seconds
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Creative assessment / demonstration AI Allowed ORCHESTRAL COMPOSITION & SCORING TO PICTURE - FINAL
Composing a 58-sec orchestral score (to picture).
10% Week 10
Due date: 05 May 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 16 Jun 2025
90 secs
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
AI allowed = AI allowed ?
early feedback task = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Early feedback Task

Composition planning: Students will complete a composition plan for a genre composition with video (90sec)

Compositions: Students will complete and submit five composition tasks:-

  1. Composing a ‘sonic identity’ (90sec) (SUBMIT-ASSESSMENT)
  2. Composing a contemporary film score for an online interactive film with video
  3. Music for advertising brief with video (30sec)
  4. Channel branding/ID with cut downs with video (90sec/15sec)
  5. Orchestral string score to an animation movie with video (90sec) (SUBMIT-ASSESSMENT)

Showreel and Notes: Students will assemble their showreel of the six fortnightly individual tasks, incorporating feedback received via the fortnightly showings. Students will submit their creative portfolio, including their Creative Project, as their final semester's submission. 

 

Assessment criteria

Showreel tasks will be assessed on:

  1. Musicality: The duration of music will be specified in the client brief, and students will be expected to develop a musical narrative, incorporating a beginning, middle & end.
  2. Fulfilling the client brief: did it tell the narrative? Was the genre accurate? Is the shape of the composition syncing with the pictures?
  3. Awareness of functionality: delivery, format, mixing and audio balance skills, i.e., ensuring music doesn’t fight with voiceover.
  4. Collaboration/constructive feedback: people skills/listening. Giving and receiving constructive feedback that aims to answer the creative brief is a vital component of working in creative industries, and the tutorial groups will be assessed in this light.
  5. Participation and professionalism: Students must attend weekly classes and work productively in tutorial groups. Students will be marked individually according to their involvement in and preparation for their group work. This includes bringing required resources and requested audio materials and following up on recommendations for tutorial sessions.

The following assessment criteria are used for original work in this unit of study:

Result name

Mark range

Description

High Distinction

85 - 100

Comprehensive and outstanding technical control and musical integrity to developmental expectations. Musical individuality is consistently projected to create a persuasive personal representation of the work. Performance flair is indicative of a broadcast/professional standard. A mark of 95 or above indicates extraordinary technical virtuosity and musical artistry.

Distinction

75 - 84

Excellent technical, musical and stylistic achievement. Consistently coherent and expressive performance. Some personal interpretation of the work suggests professional potential. 

Credit

65 - 74

Confident technique with evidence of solid musicality and some stylistic achievement. Occasional lapses indicate unresolved technical, artistic and/or stylistic issues. Projects potential for further development.

Pass

50 - 64

Satisfactory level of preparation and musical engagement. Some inconsistencies in musicianship, style and/or technique. Musical imagination and overall performance sense develop through some insecurity in this area.

Fail

0 - 49

Unsatisfactory technical achievement and/or inadequate level of musical and artistic engagement. Limitations may be of such a scale and consistency as to call into question the student’s future direction in the programme.

The following assessment criteria are used for written work in this unit of study:

Result name

Mark range

Description

High Distinction

85 - 100

Demonstrates a high level of initiative in research and reading; sophisticated critical analysis of evidence; high-level engagement with theoretical issues; innovative use of reading/research material and impressive command of underlying debates and assumptions; properly documented and written with style, originality and precision.

Distinction

75 - 84

Demonstrates initiative in research and wide, appropriate reading; complex understanding of questions and ability to review material about underlying assumptions and values critically; analyses material concerning empirical and theoretical contexts; properly documented; clear, well-developed structure and argument with some signs of literary style.

Credit

65 - 74

Evidence of broader understanding than pass level offers synthesis with some critical evaluation of material, coherent argument using a range of relevant evidence, and some evidence of independent thought and good referencing. A high credit (70-74) shows some evidence of problem-solving and thinking conceptually.

Pass

50 - 64

Written work meets basic requirements in terms of reading/research; relevant material; tendency to descriptive summary rather than critical argument; makes a reasonable attempt to avoid paraphrasing; reasonably coherent structure; often has weaknesses in particular areas, especially in terms of narrow or underdeveloped treatment of question; acceptable documentation.

Fail

0 - 49

Work may fail for any or all of the following reasons: Unacceptable paraphrasing; irrelevance of content; poor spelling; poor presentation; grammar or structure so sloppy it cannot be understood; failure to demonstrate understanding of content; insufficient or overlong word length.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator. 

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions. 

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit. 

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply. 

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Given the expectations of this industry, students are urged to learn to meet the stipulated deadlines. Students will receive a 5% deduction for each extra day taken to submit their work.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Composing in a Genre Part 1 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO1 LO2 LO6 LO5
Week 02 Composing in a Genre Part 2 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO1 LO2 LO6 LO5
Week 03 Creating a Sonic Identity Part 1 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO1 LO2 LO6 LO5
Week 04 Creating a Sonic Identity Part 2 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO1 LO2 LO6 LO5
Week 05 Film Composition - The Narrative Part 1 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO1 LO2 LO6 LO5
Week 06 Film Composition - The Narrative Part 2 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO1 LO2 LO6 LO5
Week 07 Advertising and Composition - the TVC Part 1 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO1 LO2 LO6 LO5
Week 08 Advertising and Composition - the TVC Part 2 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO1 LO2 LO6 LO5
Week 09 TV Channel Identity and Composition Part 1 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO1 LO2 LO6 LO5
Week 10 TV Channel Identity and Composition Part 2 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO1 LO2 LO6 LO5
Week 11 Composition for Animation Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO1 LO2 LO6 LO5
Week 12 Feedback Session Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO1 LO2 LO6 LO5
Week 13 Creative Project Project (6 hr) LO3 LO4 LO1 LO2 LO6 LO5

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Demonstrate a range of creative and technical composition skills, strategies and workflows relevant to screen music, and be able to deliver a project to professional standards
  • LO2. Understand professional industry expectations regarding delivery schedules and industry technical standards
  • LO3. Interpret and respond creatively and strategically to a brief
  • LO4. Work productively and proactively in collaborative environments
  • LO5. Navigate competently through a broad range of musical genres
  • LO6. Compile a high quality personal showreel of original work.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This year, the entire semester is focused on composing for various screen applications. I am creating and facilitating more opportunities for the students to engage in decision-making in choosing their materials and I have included quizzes and tasks for each week.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.