About
aBOUT
THE INSTRUCTOR
Grammy-winning composer and studio orchestrator Penka Kouneva has composed on iconic video games (League of Legends, Prince of Persia), the Netflix Animated Series Dragon Age: Absolution, a NASA theme park at the Kennedy Space Center, and numerous feature films (the Oscar contender Aga, Sony Pictures releases – Encounter and Devil’s Whisper, and Cannes and Berlinale favorites). In 2019 she was invited by composer Joe Kraemer to co-compose The CW primetime TV Series, Pandora. Penka holds a Ph.D. in composition from Duke University and is known as a great mentor who has helped over 70 young composers cultivate remarkable careers in Hollywood. She is excited to share her deep knowledge and passion for score analysis with early- and mid-career composers. Questions: [email protected]
WHAT IS IT?
12 weeks of intensive study that includes:
- Nine guided scoring assignments
Weekly demos – 1:15-1:45 minutes scoring to picture.
Or feedback on your current scoring job, as you prefer.
- Ten 40-minute private mentoring sessions
Review & written feedback on your scoring assignments, answering all of your questions (regarding scoring, collaborations, career), identifying goals for artistic growth and blind spots, cultivating a professional community. (Weekly scheduled private mentoring on Zoom).
- Ten 75-minute Lectures
Score analyses presented by the instructor in a small group on Zoom. Each week we analyze selected cues from 5 original soundtracks. Then, we listen to them.
- Weekly curated independent study
Soundtrack listening, score study, reading of articles, interviews, watching “behind-the-scenes” videos: ~3 hours weekly at your convenience. This can be done at a different time altogether, depending on your schedule.
- The class can be customized and personalized to fit your needs (e.g., no composing but attending the lecture, only mentoring sessions, private lessons)
Please email Penka to discuss
- * * * * SUCCESS STORIES as of June 2024 * * * *
– R.Y., S.A. & J.O. were hired as Composer Assistants by top Emmy & Grammy-winning studio composers, with Penka’s referral.
– B.R., B.T., D.E., V.I. and N.I. co-scored Penka’s 5 recent independent feature films (drama, genre, family, thriller), with Screen Credit, full Cue Sheet percentage, great composer fee, and mentoring by Penka. This is their first feature film credit.
– Four mentees are working on artist singles & EP’s to be recorded with live orchestra as demos for obtaining future scoring jobs. (E.L., J.A., V.C., W.E.)
– Four mentees were accepted at prestigious, competitive Composer conferences, with demos composed for the Masterclass. (S.A., V.I., R.O., K.A.)
– A dozen+ mentees scheduled meetings with industry veterans at pro conferences, with Penka’s introductions, including GDC, SCL, etc)
* * * * DETAILS ABOUT THE MASTERCLASS * * * * - The Masterclass focuses on compositional mastery, scoring techniques and skills via the analysis of great soundtrack cues and weekly feedback on your original compositions. All scoring assignments are tailored for the industry using actual film, TV & game video clips.
- The Masterclass is open to all career levels and all backgrounds.
- The learning is Hollywood industry-oriented and personalized.
- The Masterclass takes 12 weeks (3 months). Two “off” weeks (without a lecture) are built in to give you time to complete your scoring assignments & finalize your website & reels.
- The Masterclass can be taken concurrently with a full-time or part-time job.
- The Masterclass can be modified to fit your schedule: private lessons only, or attending the lectures only (no assignments).
- You will craft nine original demos by the end of the course.
- The weekly score analysis of cues (PDFs) are presented by, and provided by the instructor. All scores are current, masterful soundtracks by Hollywood composers. See the Curriculum page.
- OK to reschedule the lecture and/or the private mentoring, if a conflict occurs.
- Cost $1,000 USD (tax-deductible in the US as a vocational expense / educational expense via the Instructor’s corporation Penka Kouneva Studios, Inc.)
Prerequisites
- Music program bachelor’s degree or similar
- Ability to read orchestral scores
- A few film, game, additional-music, or concert music credits (entry-level is OK; student projects are OK)
- Working proficiency with music production and mixing a graduate-level sounding demo with virtual instruments. This skill will be expected, commented on, but not covered in detail. (There are many other classes that focus on Music Production.)
- You will receive feedback on your production skills. “Graduate-level sounding demo” is defined as a realistically sounding emulation of the ensemble you are composing for, with well-balanced instrumental lines, dynamics and expression – the skills you’ve learned in your bachelor’s program.
- Commitment to a composer career, or actively exploring opportunities.
- Commitment to completing the class (contract will be signed).
COST: $1000