PSV BOOTCAMP Jan. 2022 @UCLA
THE architecture of a hit song
Summary Description: Whether you are new to songwriting or further along in your songwriting journey, this 4-week virtual camp focuses on building and developing your songwriting skills. Participants will learn the elements of a hit song, the important role that contrast plays in melody and rhythmic structure, how repetition and rhyme can be used to strengthen your songs. Deconstructing hit songs play a big part and you will be guided on how to write more effective lyrics and write a song from a title. You will have the opportunity in the workshop to try out these new skills in break-out sessions and given a writing assignment every 2 weeks to work with a group of new collaborators. This is a productive and fun bootcamp where you will meet like-minded and creative people like yourself and find some new collaborators to work with.
You will write 2 songs with 2 different collaborative groups over the course of 4 weeks and we will interview 2 successful pop songwriters during this course.
Week 1: Program Outline: 9am – 12pm PDT (3 hours)
30 mins – Masterclass: “Writing A Memorable Melody”
30 mins - Guest Interview
2 hours – Group Collaborations
Participants will be guided through some basic elements of songwriting where they will learn some new techniques to develop their craft. This week we take a deep dive into “Writing A Memorable Melody” analyzing and deconstructing hit songs where our attendees will discover new ways to improve and build a more compelling and hooky melody. Participants will be put into groups and placed in break out rooms to collaborate, using the techniques learned that day. Mentors will visit your rooms to offer further guidance and feedback.
Week 2: Program Outline: 9am – 12pm PDT (3 hours)
30 mins – Listening Feedback Session
30 mins - Masterclass: Writing Effective Lyrics
2 hours – Group Collaborations
We will listen back to the songs in progress from last week and you will have the opportunity to hear some feedback from your mentors. A masterclass on “Writing Effective Lyrics” will help you focus on constructing and strengthening your storylines and participants will continue in their group collaborations and aim to finish their songs this week. Mentors will visit your rooms to offer further guidance and feedback.
Week 3: Program Outline: 9am – 12pm PDT (3 hours)
30 mins – Masterclass: Repetition & Rhythm
30 mins - Guest Interview
2 hours – Group Collaborations
This week we discuss the important roles of “Repetition and Rhythm” in constructing more memorable hooks and melodies. Participants will learn how to deconstruct hit songs to find tried and tested techniques that have been successful. Our second guest mentor will join us and we will learn how they have navigated their career to get where they are today. Participants will be put into new groups and placed in break out rooms to collaborate, using the techniques learned that day. Mentors will visit your rooms to offer further guidance and feedback.
Week 4: Program Outline: 9am – 12pm PDT (3 hours)
30 mins – Listening Feedback Session
30 mins - Masterclass: Writing From a Title
2 hours – Group Collaborations
We will listen back to the songs in progress from last week and you will have the opportunity to hear some feedback from your mentors. A masterclass on “Writing From A Title” will help you focus on constructing and strengthening your storylines and participants will continue in their group collaborations and aim to finish their songs this week. Mentors will visit your rooms to offer further guidance and feedback.
Playback Party: TBC
At a later date we will be meeting to playback the songs written at the camp!
PAM SHEYNE
Pam Sheyne is a multi-platinum selling songwriter, vocal producer, singer and mentor. Her songwriting career has achieved success on a global scale and includes international hit records and song placements in numerous films and TV shows around the world. With 50+ million record sales, 100+ platinum sales, she is also a prestigious Ivor Novello Award winning songwriter and a 7 times BMI Radio Play Award recipient.
Pam is a also a founding member of SONA (Songwriters of North America) a grass roots advocacy group based in LA that actively fights for songwriter rights.
Best known for co-writing the No.1 breakthrough single, Genie In A Bottle for Christina Aguilera, Pam’s songs have been covered by a number of international artists including; Camila Cabello, Demi Lovato, Lindsay Lohan, Corrine Bailey Rae, Seal, Sinead O’Connor, The Backstreet Boys, Jessica Simpson, Cece Winans and The Saturdays.
As a singer Pam has performed, toured and recorded with the following artists including; The Pet Shop Boys, Elton John, Celine Dion, Tom Jones, Lulu, Daryl Hall, Cyndi Lauper, Laura Pausini and Dave Stewart.
In 2002 Pam was the songwriting mentor in the first series of BBC TV’s Fame Academy. She has travelled on songwriting camps and retreats around the world, sharing her experience and talking about the craft of writing songs. In 2018 Pam founded SongWriterCamps with business partner Richard Harris, offering a range of virtual and in person songwriting and sync programs.
RICHARD HARRIS
"My goal is to educate, inspire, encourage and give hope to all that are walking this path". A mantra that Richard will be bringing to this new venture and partnership with Pam Sheyne at SongWriter Camps."
Richard is a #1 Billboard songwriter, producer, artist and mentor. Transplanted from the UK over a decade ago to LA, Richard quickly signed a staff writer publishing deal with Peer Music landing multiple major label song cuts all around the world. With several #1's, top ten singles and platinum records he continues to have hits including a recent #1 Billboard dance single.
Richard has landed hundreds of TV, Film and Ad song placements through Peer and the major music libraries he has composed for. Hit shows including "Empire", "Nashville", "Vanderpump Rules", "The Bold Type", "High Fidelity", movies "This Means War" and "Single Moms Club", commercials for HBO, AT&T, eBay and Vivo and trailers for Fox TV and The NFL are among a few of the highlights.
One of Richard's passions is mentoring. Over the years he has helped numerous artists and writers hone their craft and find success with their music. A young Meghan Trainor was one of the writers that Richard was able to help guide along the way up to the point of her signing her first publishing deal.
AUTUMN ROWE
Autumn Rowe is a 4x Grammy Nominated Singer/Songwriter/Producer/DJ from New York. Growing up in the South Bronx, she applied her musical talents in a range of roles, from band leader to session singer. Later, she became a sought-after songwriter, working with some of the world’s biggest artists and record labels. She wrote the dance anthem behind the 2011 FIFA World Cup “Happiness” featuring Alexis Jordan, and has worked with artists such as; Diana Ross, Dua Lipa, Tori Kelly, Ava Max, Jon Batiste, Naia Izumi, Jax Jones, Big Freedia, MK, Avicci, Zedd, Alesso, AfroJack, Deadmau5, Alex Newell, Leona Lewis, Digital Farm Animals, Boy George, Jon Bellion, The Knocks, Nick Jonas, Kali Uchis, Kacy Hill, Fifth Harmony, One Direction, Sinead Harnett, Fka Twigs, Lindsey, Stirling, Becky G, and Macy Gray, among many other artists.
Autumn is currently signed to Stellar/Sony ATV, she is also a celebrated vocal coach. She appeared on season 2 of The X Factor, and as the only vocal coach on America’s Got Talent for five years, between the show’s 8 and 12th seasons. She has coached artists including America’s Got Talent winner Grace VanderWaal, Fifth Harmony, Bea Miller, Carly Rose Sonenclar and Diamond White.
Currently living in Los Angeles, Autumn continues to write and mentor both established and emerging artists. She most recently collaborated with Jon Batiste, and Diana Ross while continuing to work on her own projects as an artist and producer.
PETER ZIZZO
A Grammy and Emmy Award-winning songwriter and producer whose work has sold in excess of one hundred million records worldwide!!!
He has written songs for, and with, artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Celine Dion, Avril Lavigne, Jason Mraz, M2M, Billy Porter, Brie Larson, Pixie Lott, and many, many more. His songs have also been featured in many major films and television shows.
As a talent developer, he was instrumental in the early careers of Avril Lavigne, Vanessa Carlton, Billy Porter, and Pixie Lott.
As a composer for children’s television, he has written and produced the theme songs for the upcoming Nickelodeon “Blue’s Clues"’ reboot, "Rusty Rivets”, "Middle School Moguls", and "Fresh Beat Band of Spies", as well as countless other songs for TV shows including "Peter Rabbit", "Winx Club", "The Fresh Beat Band", and many others.
A native New Yorker, he recently moved from Manhattan to LA, and currently resides in Marina Del Rey.
