Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television
Overview
The USC Thornton Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television (SMPTV) program is one of the world's most acclaimed programs of its kind. With a faculty including working professionals in the film, television and video game
industry, and with a legacy including such luminaries as Elmer Bernstein, Buddy Baker, David Raksin and Jerry Goldsmith, the SMPTV program offers its graduates unrivalled practical experience and industry connections.
Partnered with the USC School for Cinematic Arts, student composers have numerous opportunities to work with student filmmakers, while producing the music for more than 70 films per year. Additionally, students score a number of projects with union musicians on Hollywood scoring stages and studios including Capitol Records and the Eastwood Scoring Stage at Warner Bros. USC Thornton alumni include Bruce Broughton, James Horner, James Newton Howard, David Newman, Marco Beltrami and others. Many have gone on to receive numerous Oscar and Emmy nominations and awards.
Degrees Offered
Graduate Certificate
Curriculum Requirements
The Graduate Certificate in Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television is a one-year, 30-unit program including course work in the following:
- composition for films, television and video games
- history of film music scoring
- film score analysis and preparation
- conducting and animation writing
- advanced application of film music technology
Faculty and Lecturers
Peter Anthony
Chris Brooks
Bruce Broughton
Jon Burlingame
Sean Dougall
Steve Juliani
Brian King
Patrick Kirst
Richard Kraft
Joel McNeely
Eric Schmidt
Rick Schmunk
Gary Schyman
Jack Smalley
Frederik Wiedmann
Christopher Young
For a more in-depth look at the SMPTV program, please click here to view the departmental website.
Here you'll find a guided tour of the program including;
- SMPTV - More about the program and how it works
- Faculty profiles and course descriptions
- Samples of the student composers' works
- Guest artist and industry forums
- Scoring sessions
- Master classes
- Internships
- Application requirements and procedures
- Calendar of all SMPTV events and class schedules
Contact
Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television Program
USC Thornton School of Music
LPB G120
Los Angeles, California 90089-0851
For Admissions information, contact uscmusic@usc.edu or call (800) 872-2213.
To contact the department directly, email smptv@usc.edu or call (213) 821-4192.
