Film Scoring Essentials: Understanding SMPTE Timecode

In this tutorial, I’ll break down what SMPTE timecode is, why it’s essential, the different formats and their purposes, and how you, as a composer for visual media, will work with it. I’m Michael Lande, composer and co-owner of Music Orange, and this video is from 67B: Creating Music for Film, Video & Gaming: Techniques — one of two online courses I teach at West Valley Community College. The classes — 67A: Foundations (for beginners) and 67B: Techniques (intermediate) — are asynchronous, extremely affordable, and open to anyone, anywhere. Both offer personalized instructor support and feedback, as well as opportunities for peer critique in a collaborative environment. These accredited courses are part of West Valley’s Certificate in Commercial Music program, with credits transferable to four-year UC and CSU schools. No prior experience is required for 67A, which is recommended but not required before taking 67B. 67A: Creating Music for Film, Video & Gaming: Foundations and 67B: Creating Music for Film, Video & Gaming: Techniques Next enrollment is Fall semester, 2026 67A course Info and Enrollment: https://bit.ly/4lDcLxF 67B course Info and Enrollment: https://bit.ly/40r1B7J Topics in 67A Scoring and the Role of Music in Visual Media Structure in Visual Media Setting Up Your DAW and Scoring Dialog Adaptive Music for Gaming Music for Advertising Television Themes Rights, Revenue, and Royalties Film Openings Topics in 67B Busses and Aux tracks, Templates, and Timecode • Part 1: Busses & Aux Tracks:    • Setting Up Your DAW for Scoring to Picture...   The Production Process / Preparation / Movie Structure Defining and Creating Structures Within Your DAW Composing Within a Structure • Composing Within a Structure:    • Film Scoring Essentials: Composing Within ...   Single-Note Ostinatos Ostinatos, Leitmotifs, and Motifs Corporate Film & Building Narrative Through Musical Phrasing Film Trailers / Stems Becoming a Composer Additional Links Music Orange: https://musicorange.com West Valley College: https://www.westvalley.edu/faculty/la... Soundcloud:   / albums