Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Screen Scoring Students Earn Gaming Industry Nod with USC Collaboration

14/01/2023

Screen Scoring Students Earn Gaming Industry Nod with USC Collaboration Dzidzor Amorin and Julian Cabrera's work on the video game Delfini received a 2022 Indiecade Award nomination for audio design.

By

Bryan Parys

January 12, 2023

A still from the video game Delfini.

This fall, Berklees Screen Scoring Department launched the game and interactive media scoring (GAIMS) major, which codified more than a decades work building an innovative curriculum around all things game audio, from video game scoring to composing for immersive environments such as virtual reality. One of the hallmarks of the new program is the opportunity for Berklee students to collaborate with some of the countrys top game design programs, gaining practical experience and networking with the up-and-coming generation of game designers in the process.

The Best Video Game Soundtracks

Gina Zdanowicz and fellow GAIMS faculty discuss the best game scores and what makes them great.

Some of these collaborations even predate the official launch of the new major. Scoring for Interactive Media, a course taught by Gina Zdanowicz, paired Berklee composers with students in the game design program at the University of Southern California (USC)-one of the premier programs of its kind in the country.

It was this partnership that produced Delfini-a new game designed by Yimeng Chen and Yuwei Lin at USC, with original score and sound design by Berklee students Dzidzor Amorin and Julian Cabrera, respectively. Amorin is a ninth-semester piano principal dual majoring in film and media scoring and contemporary writing and production with a minor in video game scoring, and Cabrera is a dual major in GAIMS and film and media scoring in his 10th semester. While this was the first project of this kind for Amorin and Cabrera, the game wasted no time gaining recognition-it was nominated for a 2022 Indiecade Award for audio design.

Below, Amorin and Cabrera discuss their experience working on Delfini, and whats next for them.

View the official trailer for Delfini:

How did the Delfini project come about for you? What was your main role? Julian Cabrera: Delfini was a Berklee/USC collaboration project assigned to Dzidzor and me by our teacher, Gina Zdanowicz. My main role in the project was sound designer.

Dzidzor Amorin: The students from USC had to pitch their games to us, the audio teams, in a short document, and Delfini instantly caught my eye. The inviting and colorful visuals along with the overall causal direction of the game was something that appealed to me. For this project, I did all of the composition, so I was responsible for each of the music layers as the player progressed through the game.

What was that collaborative process like? Were there any challenges? And what was your favorite part of the process? Amorin: This was my first long-term collaboration project with a game developer, so it was a lot of fun, but it also contained many challenges. One of the biggest challenges, which always comes with working with nonmusicians, was communicating musical ideas with nonmusical language, which we overcame with drawings and reference tracks. My favorite part of the process was seeing my music come together with the gameplay, with each layer pushing the sense of progress further, until the player finally fully restores the coral reef.

To be nominated for sound design on the first game I've ever worked on? For me, it truly validated all the hard work that I've put in at Berklee.

- Julian Cabrera

Cabrera: It was amazing how efficient Dzidzor was when making the score. Not only that, but our partners, Yimeng Chen and Yuwei Lin, were also fantastic to work with-there were never any issues with communication, organization, or anything like that. Every asset was finished by the due date; need for criticism felt nonexistent-the team felt like a well-oiled machine.

Personally, the only challenges I encountered were making the sounds of the dolphins. We didn't want to use real dolphin clicks since they were a little jarring, and going pure synthesis felt a little bland. Ultimately, I ended up using my whistling as a base for the dolphins just to give it more of an organic sound. From there, I just built up the sound with various effects until we got what we have today.

Julian Cabrera

My favorite part of the process might have been the challenge I mentioned. I love problem solving, so having to go through the process of trial and error and figuring out how I was going to make the dolphin sounds was exhilarating. It especially becomes rewarding when I see the finished product and how others may enjoy the one little detail I spent hours trying to perfect.

How did it feel when you heard that Delfini had been nominated for an Indiecade award? Cabrera: I was ecstatic! To be nominated for sound design on the first game I've ever worked on? For me, it truly validated all the hard work that I've put in at Berklee and definitely gave me a huge ego boost.

Amorin: I was over the moon to find out [about] the Indiecade award! As a music student, youre often caught up in the weeds of juggling multiple projects at the same time, so you dont really get the chance to see the results of your work until quite a ways down the road. Seeing your work get recognized, especially in such a large capacity, is always a pleasant surprise!

What other notable scoring experiences have you had? Did those help prepare you for the work you did on Delfini?

Dzidzor Amorin

Amorin: Before Delfini, I had worked on two game jams a few months prior, so I had a little bit of experience in that regard. Having the experience of working on tight deadlines as well as trying to fit a specific musical tone was an invaluable experience that I carried over to working on Delfini.

Cabrera: Like most of the film scoring students at Berklee, I've done
LINK: https://www.berklee.edu/berklee-now/news/screen-scoring-students-earn-...
See more stories from berklee

More from Berklee

30/03/2023

How the Wachter Fellowship Helped These Students Launch Careers in L.A.

How the Wachter Fellowship Helped These Students Launch Careers in L.A. The fellowship, offered through Berklees Career Center, provides students with the mea...

29/03/2023

A Remedy for Cancel Culture

A Remedy for Cancel Culture MacArthur Fellow Loretta J. Ross spoke about toxic internet culture and the virtues of calling in instead of calling out at a rece...

29/03/2023

Embrace Spring with Boston Conservatory Orchestra at Groton Hill Music Center

Embrace Spring with Boston Conservatory Orchestra at Groton Hill Music Center On April 8, the orchestra celebrates the changing seasons at an exciting new con...

29/03/2023

Bernice Chan on How Berklee Helped Jumpstart Her Career as a Publicist

Bernice Chan on How Berklee Helped Jumpstart Her Career as a Publicist A panelist at Career Jam 2023, the recent alum discusses landing her current position a...

28/03/2023

Student Spotlight: Andrea Peters

Student Spotlight: Andrea Peters The Berklee Valencia graduate student talks about managing the campus's student-run Disrupci n Records, the class that ch...

23/03/2023

Victor Wooten Joins Panel on Music, Health, and Spirituality in the Black Community

Victor Wooten Joins Panel on Music, Health, and Spirituality in the Black Commun...

21/03/2023

Student Spotlight: Chantelle Mack

Student Spotlight: Chantelle Mack The music therapy student discusses the complex role of identity in music therapy, praises her canine companion, and picks h...

17/03/2023

Wayne Shorter and the Art of Now

Wayne Shorter and the Art of Now Berklee faculty share their favorite Shorter tracks as a tribute to the legendary saxophonist and composer, who passed away e...

17/03/2023

Berklees Signature Series Presents The Mambo Kings: 100 Years

Berklees Signature Series Presents The Mambo Kings: 100 Years The concert will feature legendary percussionist John Dandy Rodriguez and six-time Latin Gramm...

15/03/2023

At the Movies: Grace Kelly with Strings Lands at the Berklee Performance Center

At the Movies: Grace Kelly with Strings Lands at the Berklee Performance Center This new project from the Berklee alumna is a must-see concert appealing to mo...

14/03/2023

Berklee to Hold Inauguration of President Erica Muhl in April

Berklee to Hold Inauguration of President Erica Muhl in April Muhl is the fourth-and first female-president of Berklee. By Colette Greenstein March 14, 2023 ...

13/03/2023

Student Spotlight: Dakota Cohen

Student Spotlight: Dakota Cohen Get to know the singer-songwriter and L.A. native ahead of her performance at the Recording Academys Texas Chapter Block Party...

10/03/2023

Celebrating Womens History Month with Tonya Butler

Celebrating Womens History Month with Tonya Butler Berklees music business chair talks about the importance of authenticity, the evolution of the media indust...

10/03/2023

K-Pop Hitmaker and Alum KENZIE Visits Berklee

K-Pop Hitmaker and Alum KENZIE Visits Berklee The alumna producer and songwriter was joined by Chris Lee, CEO of SM Entertainment, one of South Koreas largest m...

10/03/2023

Celebrating Womens History Month with Berklees Tonya Butler

Celebrating Womens History Month with Berklees Tonya Butler Butler talks about the importance of authenticity, the evolution of the media industry, and being ...

09/03/2023

Applications Open for Berklee in Puerto Rico 2023

Applications Open for Berklee in Puerto Rico 2023 Registration for the 28th year of the program will run through April 13. By Callista Chan March 9, 2023 A ...

07/03/2023

Student Spotlight: Taijee Shavers

Student Spotlight: Taijee Shavers The baritone saxophonist explains how time in nature improves his sound design work, shouts out his Black Scholars Initiativ...

04/03/2023

Big Thief, Lizzy McAlpine Featured This Week on Colbert and Fallon

Big Thief, Lizzy McAlpine Featured This Week on Colbert and Fallon The Berklee alumni artists performed original tunes for the top two titans of late night, w...

02/03/2023

Allen Stone Named 2023 Herb Alpert Visiting Artist for Berklee's Professional Education Division

Allen Stone Named 2023 Herb Alpert Visiting Artist for Berklee's Professiona...

02/03/2023

Berklee Abu Dhabi Fellowship Fund Launches

Berklee Abu Dhabi Fellowship Fund Launches Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism is now accepting applications for the fund, which provides Berkle...

28/02/2023

Student Spotlight: Riley Finkle

Student Spotlight: Riley Finkle The music production and engineering major discusses her immersive audio and video productions, her collaboration with Harvard...

24/02/2023

February Performers in Berklee's Two Track Series Celebrate Empowerment

February Performers in Berklee's Two Track Series Celebrate Empowerment The popular YouTube series features students performing original music and sharing...

24/02/2023

BPMI Takes Over Brighton Music Hall to Reveal Its 2023 Festival Artists

BPMI Takes Over Brighton Music Hall to Reveal Its 2023 Festival Artists The Berklee Popular Music Institute will showcase performances from Berklees hottest a...

22/02/2023

Student Spotlight: Tyesha Kohli

Student Spotlight: Tyesha Kohli The professional music major talks about her roller coaster ride from New Delhi to Berklee, the teachers and mentors who ins...

15/02/2023

Student Spotlight: Fouad Dakwar

Student Spotlight: Fouad Dakwar The Berklee NYC master's student talks about his passion for musical storytelling, being inspired by Donald Glover, and cr...

15/02/2023

Berklee Indian Ensemble Presents BIE Live: The Shuruaat Tour

Berklee Indian Ensemble Presents BIE Live: The Shuruaat Tour The 15-city U.S. tour will kick off on March 10 at the Berklee Performance Center. By Colette G...

14/02/2023

Remembering Burt Bacharach: Conservatory Alum Reflects on Meeting the Legendary Songwriter

Remembering Burt Bacharach: Conservatory Alum Reflects on Meeting the Legendary ...

14/02/2023

Applications Open for the Nicky Jam Prodigy Scholarship

Applications Open for the Nicky Jam Prodigy Scholarship Presented by the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation, the prestigious four-year scholarship holds a maxim...

11/02/2023

How Pinocchios Sound Supervisor Brought del Toros Puppet to Life

How Pinocchios Sound Supervisor Brought del Toros Puppet to Life Alum Scott Martin Gershin talks about how his musical training has informed his decades-long ...

09/02/2023

Berklee Stars Show Off Their Moves for Scholarship Fundraiser

Berklee Stars Show Off Their Moves for Scholarship Fundraiser Now in its third year, Dancing with the Stars: Berklee Edition helps sustain the Dance Division ...

09/02/2023

Dr. Michael C. Mason Named Inaugural Chair of Africana Studies Department

Dr. Michael C. Mason Named Inaugural Chair of Africana Studies Department The higher education professional recently served as chair of Berklee's Liberal ...

07/02/2023

Berklee Alumni and Faculty Win at the 2023 Grammy Awards

Berklee Alumni and Faculty Win at the 2023 Grammy Awards Terri Lyne Carrington, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, and Steven Feifke were among the winners on mus...

07/02/2023

Student Spotlight: Stephanie Coraci

Student Spotlight: Stephanie Coraci The vocalist and dancer talks about balancing her interest in music business with her own artistry, going to major festiva...

02/02/2023

Berklee's Signature Series Presents Gumbo Stories: A Black History Celebration Concert

Berklee's Signature Series Presents Gumbo Stories: A Black History Celebrati...

02/02/2023

Berklee and Electronic Arts Announce Next Gen Scholarship Program

Berklee and Electronic Arts Announce Next Gen Scholarship Program The new partnership will establish an annual scholarship and mentorship program. By Tori D...

02/02/2023

Claudia Brant Named 2023 Herb Alpert Visiting Artist for Berklee's Songwriting Department

Claudia Brant Named 2023 Herb Alpert Visiting Artist for Berklee's Songwriti...

01/02/2023

New Music + Web3 Course to Prepare Students for the Next Generation of the Internet

New Music + Web3 Course to Prepare Students for the Next Generation of the Inter...

01/02/2023

Rivers School Conservatory Commissions Berklee Composer Andrew List for Annual Seminar

Rivers School Conservatory Commissions Berklee Composer Andrew List for Annual S...

31/01/2023

Student Spotlight: Cindy Latin

Student Spotlight: Cindy Latin The Berklee NYC songwriter talks about her journey from musical theater to writing songs, getting inspired by the Big Apple, an...

30/01/2023

Latin Music Legend Talks Songcraft in a New Berklee Course

Latin Music Legend Talks Songcraft in a New Berklee Course In Latin Songwriting, visiting artist Claudia Brant will focus on the value of collaboration, worki...

24/01/2023

Lydia Harrell Sings National Anthem at Maura Healey's Inauguration

Lydia Harrell Sings National Anthem at Maura Healey's Inauguration The faculty vocalist talks about performing at the historic event earlier this month. ...

24/01/2023

Do Producers Need Technical or Musical Skills?

Do Producers Need Technical or Musical Skills? Award-winning producer Benny Grotto unpacks Rick Rubins recent 60 Minutes comments and weighs the benefits of i...

24/01/2023

Student Spotlight: Liam Purcell

Student Spotlight: Liam Purcell The seventh-semester mandolinist traces his path to Berklee back to his Appalachian bluegrass roots, discusses his ongoing tou...

20/01/2023

Berklee and Orchestral Tools Launch Free Educational YouTube Channel

Berklee and Orchestral Tools Launch Free Educational YouTube Channel Hosted by composer Alex Lamy, the new channel, Virtual Orchestration, will explore every as...

20/01/2023

Berklee Announces 2023 Spring Signature Series

Berklee Announces 2023 Spring Signature Series This years concerts will celebrate the sounds of New Orleans, the power of gospel music, and the music of Alici...

19/01/2023

Radio City Rockettes and Boston Conservatory Partner on First-Ever, College-Level Rockettes Precision Dance Technique Course

Radio City Rockettes and Boston Conservatory Partner on First-Ever, College-Leve...

17/01/2023

Boston Conservatory at Berklee Announces Center Stage Performances for Spring 2023

Boston Conservatory at Berklee Announces Center Stage Performances for Spring 20...

14/01/2023

Screen Scoring Students Earn Gaming Industry Nod with USC Collaboration

Screen Scoring Students Earn Gaming Industry Nod with USC Collaboration Dzidzor Amorin and Julian Cabrera's work on the video game Delfini received a 2022...

13/01/2023

Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway Perform Crooked Tree on Jimmy Kimmel Live

Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway Perform Crooked Tree on Jimmy Kimmel Live The American Roots Music Program alum played the title cut from her bands Grammy-nomin...

22/12/2022

A Late Bloomer Finds Himself on Time Is Color

A Late Bloomer Finds Himself on Time Is Color C dric Hanriot B.M. 08, a self-taught pianist who entered Berklee at 31, released a jazz album thats impressed t...