3.19.10 - Hero's Theme

Warm-Up (20 min)
POTD
QsOTD:

1. Name a person or thing has inspired or influenced and inspired you?
2. What did they do or say that makes them a good hero?
3. If you could tell them something what would it be?
4. What type of mood do you think represents them and their message?
5. What type of environment do you think they live around?
6. What color or colors represent your hero?
7. What are some other things that you associate with the hero?
8. Do you see them as more energetic or more contemplative?
9. If they were an instrument, what instrument would they be?

Announcements (5 min)

New posters around the class:

1. Help!

2. Now what?

Mini-Project Intro (5 min)
See an example of the project we will create.

Look over a brief explanation of the project.

Brainstorming Around Your Hero (30 min)
Use prezi or a paper and pencil to create a “mind-map” of the things that you associate with your hero. Include their environment, foods, sounds, colors, and what ever you associate with those elements as well. The more you come up with the more material you will have for your project!

Photoshopping your hero 

Part 1 - Finding an image of the hero
Use google image search to find a high quality image of your hero. The image should be a portrait of the hero’s face. There should not be anything int he background to distract from the hero.

Part 2 - Finding a quote of the hero
Use a search engine to find a quote from your hero. Make sure it is a quote that you believe in and is school appropriate.

Part 3 - Check for clearance with teacher

Part 4 - Photoshop the hero and the quote
Use the filter gallery to stylize your hero
Use the text tool to add your quote and the name of the hero
Save for Web and devices as JPG


Composing your song

Part 1 - Collect Sounds from Findsounds.com
Before you open Garageband and begin to compose your song, go back to your mind map and look for things that make sound or sounds that represent the things you wrote down. These can be instruments (saxophone, guitar, etc.) or it can be sound effects. Use findsounds.com to search for sound effects

Part 2 - Setting the Tempo
Based on what you think the mood of your hero and their quote is set your tempo accordingly. Typically, a song with a tempo of 100 bpm or more is considered “uptempo“ and may be associated with something happy or energetic. If your song is under 100 bpm it may be considered “downtempo” and more thoughtful or reflective. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule.

Part 3 - Composing your Drums
Use your midi drums to make a drums for your theme song. You may choose to use elements other than hi-hats, basses, snares but there should be some rhythmic elements in your theme song.
See our previous lesson on drum recording to review how to get your drums on beat!


Part 4 - Adding a Sample
If you are using a drum break (from the ultimate breaks and beats folder on the teacher server) you may choose to do this step before adding your midi drums. You may choose add either a music sample, like one we did a few weeks ago using the ultimate breaks and beats, or you may choose to sample your own voice. However, your beat needs to incorporate at least one sample.

Part 5 - Adding Sound Effects
Use the sound effects you downloaded in part 1 to create your own custom software instrument (just like we did last week).


Part 6 - Exporting
Export and turn in your file by going to Share > Export movie to Disk. Choose the “Full Quality” Setting.
Name your file “YOUR NAME _ Hero’s Theme Song”