Music, Sound Design, and Science Fiction

3 Credits.

How does sound build possible worlds of the future? In this course you will discover how science fiction sounds and signifies in film, from established classics (Forbidden Planet; 2001; Star Wars, Interstellar) to landmarks of dystopian sound design (La Jetée; Solaris; Pumzi). In addition to viewing and analyzing complete films, an array of excerpts from the popular to the obscure will animate seminar discussion and fuel creative assignments. You will get hands-on experience in sound scoring, video editing, and producing a short documentary. Topics include classic and contemporary approaches to narrativity; sound design-as-character; the diegetic fallacy; Foley; the acousmêtre; and models of world-building through sound and music.