Metascore: User Interface Design for Generative Film Scoring

Abstract

This paper outlines an application called Metascore that provides a visual interface for the control and synchronising of parameters for generative film music scores. Metascore is part of a project under development at the Australasian CRC for Interaction Design (ACID), the aim of which is to create a real-time automatic film scoring system. Metascore allows the user to compose music, using high-level descriptions of compositional intent, in synchronisation with video. Metascore allows control of constant parameters within sections that demarcate film cues, and control of continually varying parameters through free-form break point envelopes. Parameter values in Metascore can themselves be expressions or functions, enabling extensive flexibility for adaptive control of the algorithmic score. This paper will describe the Metascore interface design and illustrate its use in the context of producing an orchestral score for a documentary film.