Diploma in Music Composition for the Image (DCMI) - Cycle Supérieur

Diploma in Music Composition for the Image (DCMI)

Higher cycle

2 years

2 years (a^2nd year may be granted on the advice of the teacher)

This course leads to the award of a diploma: the Diplôme de composition de musique à l'image (Diploma in Film Music Composition) with honours (Très bien, Bien, Assez bien or Fail).

The Diplôme de composition de musique à l'image is awarded to students who have obtained all of the following distinctions:

The grade that qualifies the Diploma (Very good, Good or Quite good) is that awarded by the jury at the end of the certificate.

This course is designed to prepare students for the various aspects of the profession: constraints, project ergonomics and specific techniques. This course aims to encourage upstream work between directors and composers.

A maximum of 8 students per year will be enrolled on this course.

In agreement with the head of department, students will be supervised by the professor and a group of reference teachers depending on the programmes studied.

Student studies are organised along the following lines:

A / Composition and production of film music: Further study of the techniques needed to master the relationship between music and image. During the academic year, each student will have the opportunity to record his or her work, in partnership with the sound engineering department. The work recorded during these sessions will be applied to audiovisual works of different lengths and genres (film, television series, documentary, advertising, video games, etc.).

B / Audiovisual project management and practical aspects of the profession: Knowledge of the constraints governing this type of work is developed in connection with each project. The integration of the director's directives, the synchronism between image and music, specific orchestration, very tight composition deadlines, teamwork and projects where the music serves the image and generally coexists with sound effects and dialogue are at the heart of what is learnt.

C / Production of models and sound techniques (lecturers: Alexandre Tanguy and David Menke): Students aim to develop a professional mastery of layout with the ability to quickly create and modify a layout. Fundamental knowledge of sound techniques associated with film production, and more particularly film music, is also acquired.

D / Historical and aesthetic knowledge of film music (lecturer: Jean-Stéphane Guitton): These courses in the history of cinema and its music also include an in-depth analysis of film music in its relationship to the image.

Candidates admitted to the competition for entry to the higher cycle who are not nationals of French-speaking countries must present, before 30 June preceding their first enrolment at the Conservatoire, a certificate issued by a body approved by the French government attesting to a level of French at least equal to B1 on the Council of Europe's scale of common reference levels, before 31 December following their first enrolment at the Conservatoire, a certificate issued by a body recognised by the French government attesting to a level of French at least equal to B2 on the Council of Europe's scale of common reference levels.

In view of the date of Admission, students called for this test must ensure that they are in possession of the B1 certificate required in the first instance.