‘Mission: Impossible’ KS3 KS4 (GCSE) Composing Project

This is an educational resource aimed at KS3 and KS4 music students.

There are 4 videos
1 = edited scene from the film ‘Mission: Impossible’ (1996) with no audio.
2 = edited scene from the film ‘Mission: Impossible’ (1996) with royalty free ‘battle’ underscore.
3 = edited scene from the film ‘Mission: Impossible’ (1996) with royalty free ‘muzak’ underscore.
4 = edited scene from the film ‘Mission: Impossible’ (1996) with royalty free ‘comedy’ underscore.

For KS3 I use them for a ‘Foley Music’ project.

We discuss in detail the role of music in cinema/composers/silent films etc
We watch the four edited versions of ‘Mission: Impossible’ and discuss why they are successful/unsuccessful etc
Then each class/group create their own notated/graphic score of sound effects/music leitmotifs to support the film extract.

For KS4 I use them as inspiration for a GCSE Music free composition.

Pupils are encouraged to plan how they might make an underscore for the film extract. What type of orchestration? Should there be a different musical idea for each section of the film etc? When all is complete the pupil will have a solid foundation for a GCSE Music free composition. In the past my students (of all abilities) have benefited from being creative within the natural structure of the film extract.

I’m not including all my detailed planning with this free resource.
I’ll leave it to you to adapt and use the resource as you see fit.