MasterClass

Hans Zimmer Teaches Film Scoring

Hans Zimmer didn’t see a film until he was 12 years old. Since then, he’s scored over 150 films, including Inception, The Lion King, and The Dark Knight. In his MasterClass, the self-taught Academy Award winner teaches how he creates sounds from nothing, composes compelling character themes, and scores a movie before ever seeing it. By the end, you’ll have everything you need to tell your story.
Where to Watch Hans Zimmer Teaches Film Scoring
31 Episodes
  • Introduction
    E1
    Episode 1IntroductionMeet your new instructor, the Academy Award-winning composer of over 150+ films spanning multiple genres.
  • Themes
    E2
    Episode 2ThemesHans has created some of the most memorable themes in film. Learn how he creates a theme, and how simplicity is his best tool to maintain a theme.
  • Story
    E3
    Episode 3StoryDiscover how Hans approaches writing to story and his number one rule for film composers.
  • Directors (1)
    E4
    Episode 4Directors (1)Learn how Hans works with directors, including what he needs to learn from the director in order to start writing - sometimes even before the film is shot.
  • Directors (2)
    E5
    Episode 5Directors (2)Learn how to effectively have a conversation with the director throughout the film process.
  • Directors (3)
    E6
    Episode 6Directors (3)Hans continues his discussion on what makes a great director and what makes a great relationship between composer and director.
  • Sound Palettes
    E7
    Episode 7Sound PalettesHans is known for creating unique sound palettes. Learn how and why he does it, and how to do it on your own.
  • Creating with Synths
    E8
    Episode 8Creating with SynthsHans is known for his use of synths. Hans discusses how he uses synths, as he creates a song from his starter patch for us.
  • Scoring to Picture
    E9
    Episode 9Scoring to PictureHans discusses how to score to different types of scenes, as well as recognizing when a scene doesn't need a score.
  • Scoring Under Dialogue
    E10
    Episode 10Scoring Under DialogueLearn how Hans approaches the relationship between music and dialogue, and how music can be dialogue too.
  • Tempo
    E11
    Episode 11TempoYour editor is your drummer. Learn how to recognize the tempo to a scene and edit to it.
  • Tempo: Sherlock Holmes Scene
    E12
    Episode 12Tempo: Sherlock Holmes SceneHans continues his tempo discussion with how he scored an extremely well-edited scene from Sherlock Holmes.
  • Music Diary: Sherlock Holmes
    E13
    Episode 13Music Diary: Sherlock HolmesHans creates music diaries to each film to help him along. Learn how and why he does it as he walks through his diary for Sherlock Holmes.
  • Character
    E14
    Episode 14CharacterLearn how Hans gets to know his characters in order to create memorable themes for them.
  • Character Theme: Batman
    E15
    Episode 15Character Theme: BatmanWhat makes Batman's theme in The Dark Knight Trilogy so recognizable? Learn how he developed the theme by thinking about the story and character.
  • Character Theme: The Joker
    E16
    Episode 16Character Theme: The JokerHans fell in love with the Joker, and created a haunting tune from just one vibrating note. Watch as he discusses how the story and character's impact on the story helps create the theme.
  • Character Theme: Jack Sparrow
    E17
    Episode 17Character Theme: Jack Sparrow"Pirates were the rock-n'-rollers of the middle ages." Hans breaks down how he created Jack Sparrow's theme by finding the tone for the movie first.
  • Case Study: Frost/Nixon
    E18
    Episode 18Case Study: Frost/NixonFor Frost/Nixon, Hans had to score to a dialogue-heavy film. Learn his approach to creating a minimal but beautiful score.
  • Case Study: The Dark Knight
    E19
    Episode 19Case Study: The Dark KnightLearn how Hans accentuated the tension in the already-tense boat scene from The Dark Knight.
  • Working With Musicians
    E20
    Episode 20Working With MusiciansLearn how to find and write for the best musicians and instruments for your score.
  • Working With Musicians: The Orchestra (1)
    E21
    Episode 21Working With Musicians: The Orchestra (1)Hans discusses the important of earning your musicians' respect and how to effectively communicate with them.
  • Working With Musicians: The Orchestra (2)
    E22
    Episode 22Working With Musicians: The Orchestra (2)Hear from Hans on how he makes sure he's getting the best performance he can while recording an orchestra.
  • Feedback & Revisions
    E23
    Episode 23Feedback & RevisionsNot every score is perfect on the first try. Learn how Hans asks for feedback on his scores and how he approaches rewrites when it's not quite working.
  • Audience Feedback
    E24
    Episode 24Audience FeedbackThe true test - learn how Hans approaches showing a score to an audience and how he determines if it's working or not.
  • Writing Tips (1)
    E25
    Episode 25Writing Tips (1)Hans gives you the tips and tricks he's learned over the years on how to approach writing music.
  • Writing Tips (2)
    E26
    Episode 26Writing Tips (2)Hans provides insights into how to make sure you aren't limiting your creativity when writing.
  • Hans' Journey
    E27
    Episode 27Hans' JourneyLearn how Hans fell in love with storytelling and switched his career from a "radio star" to film composer.
  • Learning by Listening
    E28
    Episode 28Learning by ListeningHans discusses the importance of learning how to listen and dissect music when it works and doesn't work.
  • Life of a Composer (1)
    E29
    Episode 29Life of a Composer (1)All artists struggle with the challenges that come with pursuing a life in the arts. Hear Hans' advice on how to never give up and never compromise your voice.
  • Life of a Composer (2)
    E30
    Episode 30Life of a Composer (2)Hans continues his discussion on an artist's life, telling you why he was inspired to pursue the life of a composer in the first place.
  • Closing
    E31
    Episode 31ClosingListen to Hans' final words as he closes out his MasterClass and as you move forward in your career.
 
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