These instructions are designed for GarageBand 3 plus the sounds of a symphony orchestra.
GarageBand is easy and fast yet powerful enough to do film scoring.
Please, tell me if you find anything as good!


This course in music and filmmaking is:
Film scoring introduction for filmmakers
This lesson is:
Exercises in film scoring introduction
The pages in this lesson are:
Page 1: A simple scene called "Home Wrecker"
Page 2: A pair of scenes called "Green Tea Smoothie"
Page 3: A very long scene from "Blindman's Bluff Production"


A scene called "Green Tea Smoothie"

Simple and Complex

This is a pair of scene. The second scene is very complex.
The problem is the mood of the scene is not clear. Therefore, when the music explains the music, it can be almost anything you want. But what is correct? If you look at the original motion picture, it is not clear either.
If you prefer, this scene can be scored very simply. My instructions below give you the simple view of how to score this scene.
Or if you prefer, you can locate and watch the original motion picture (multiple versions of this motion picture were released under different names in different countries) and then decide for yourself the moods that are needed to explain this scene to the audience.
Disk required

Disk required for this lesson

Lesson requirements
You must purchase a disk from the Star Movie Shop. If you have enough points, the disk is free.
The disk is "Green Tea Smoothie".
Earn points
By completing a film score for these two scenes, you earn enough points to get the next disk for free.
Attention college students

Special instructions for college students

Use GarageBand
If you have been assigned to edit and also create the film score for "Green Tea Smoothie":
  • Use Apple's GarageBand
  • Do NOT use Apple's Soundtrack. That is only for multimedia, documentaries and event video.
  • Do NOT use loops. That is only for songs, multimedia, documentaries and event video.
  • Do NOT use the royalty-free surround music beds, etc. These are only for transitions, montages, titles and credits.
Symphonic film scoring
Unless you are a professional musician, use synthetic instruments of the symphony orchestra.
For the instruments of the symphony orchestra, use Apple's Jam Pack:Symphony Orchestra or use the free Ben Boldt's instrument package for GarageBand called "Boldt 24-Pack".
How to write a film score
If you do not know how to write a film score, there are two sets of instructions.
The story for the movie and the scenes

An important visitor

The background:
The man wants to save the farm by selling his uncle's collection of wine. The Hong Kong buyer has arrived to inspect the bottles of wine in the collection. To celebrate his arrival, the visitor is given the specialty of the house which is a Green Tea Smoothie. But there is a problem. There are no straws.



Scene 1

The story of the first scene:
  1. The cook is preparing the drink.
  2. The man rushes in to get the drink for the man from Hong Kong.
  3. The cook is mute and does not answer when the man asks for a straw.

End of scene.



Scene 2

The story of the second scene:
  1. The man gives the visitor the Green Tea Smoothie.
  2. The man apologizes for a lack of straws.
  3. The visitor has his own stray. He seems slightly crazy.
  4. Now the man begins to wonder if he made a mistake.

End of scene.


The first scene - Making the Green Tea Smoothie


Your assignment

Create the film score for this scene:
Load the edited version of the scene with time code into your music program and begin.


Timecode 01:00:00:00 to 01:00:20:00
1. Narrative music - Happy and busy music.
  • With your music, you must explain that everyone is very, very busy in eager anticipation. (Try a repeating rhythm with a very simple melody over it.)


Timecode 01:00:20:00 to 01:00:27:00
2. Narrative music - The amazing drink and the wonderful cook.
  • With your music, you must create the feeling of a magical event. (Try a delicate repeating rhythm with just a single note over it such as a single note from a violin).


Timecode 01:00:27:00 to 01:00:31:00
3. Dialog - No music
  • You want these words to stand out so you do not want any music.


Timecode 01:00:39:00 to END
4. Narrative music - Dumb confusion.
  • Your music must express is her mute silence and his confusion. There is no dialog so you can do a full film score.


The second scene - Drinking the Green Tea Smoothie


Your second assignment

Create the film score for the second scene:
Load the edited version of the scene with time code into your music program. (Or you can use a program like Movie Player with QuickTime Pro to combine the two scenes into a single movie file so you can score both scenes at the same time.)


Timecode 02:00:00:00 to 02:00:08:00
1. Narrative music - Busy music.
  • With your music, you must explain that there is a problem. Try using the same busy music as the first scene but now make it sound slightly sick or confused. Note: You have only 8 seconds.


Timecode 02:00:08:00 to 02:00:15:00
2. Dialog - No music while they are talking.


Timecode 02:00:15:00 to 02:00:23:00
3. Narrative music - Perhaps a hint of the magic music for the cook as the man looks at the drink
  • You can repeat the music from the first scene. Note: you only have a few second.


Timecode 02:00:23:00 to 02:00:31:00
4. Dialog - No music
  • No music will help the awkwardness stand out.


Timecode 02:00:31:00 to 02:00:40:00
5. Narrative music - The secret of the suitcase
  • Tell the audience that something amazing is about to happen.


Timecode 02:00:40:00 to 02:01:13:00
6. Dialog - No music
  • No music so you can hear his dialog clearly.


Timecode 02:01:13:00 to 02:01:25:00
7. Narrative music - Pleasure or insanity?
  • What is happening in this scene? You have to decide. Rent the original motion picture and study the movie.


Timecode 02:01:25:00 to 02:01:28:00
8. Narrative music - Confusion
  • The music must explain his growing confusion. Should be subtle. (Try using single notes from the instruments of the orchestra.)


Timecode 02:01:28:00 to 02:01:35:00
9. Dialog - No music or perhaps a single sour note very softly in the background.
  • His dialog is very loud and clear so you can put a sharp chord in the background to emphasize his confusion.


Timecode 02:01:35:00 to 02:01:40:00
10. Narrative music - Indignation
  • The music must explain Mr. Tangs indignation. (Try using single notes from the instruments of the orchestra.)


Timecode 02:01:40:00 to 02:01:44:00
11. Dialog - Background music
  • These words ("Would you like to see my passport. La?") are not important. The tone (mood) is more important than the words. Therefore, this is one of the few times you can combine music and dialog. (Try using a single, very our note or chord from the instruments of the orchestra.)


Timecode 02:01:44:00 to 02:01:52:00
12. Dialog - No music
  • By having no music, you will emphasize his words.


Timecode 02:01:52:00 to End
12. Narrative music - Full music
  • Now you get to go wild with music. You can even add a simple song here if you wish. Or you can have music which follows exactly each of the facial expressions of Mr. Tang.


The next scene is very long but interesting

The next page

Soon I will point you to the next exercise when you are done.

Contact your instructor

Your instructor for this film scoring class is Robert Elliott.
You can email me by clicking here.


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