Codes and Conventions of Musical Films
Codes and Conventions of Musical Films
Codes and Conventions of Musical Films
Research
http://www.tamswitmark.com/blog_items/a-brief-history-of-musicals-on-film/
http://www.filmsite.org/musicalfilms7.html
the successful musicals for example rocky horror and grease have all transferred
into filling theatre seats on a daily occasion. The attraction and love of musicals
is loved universally that they are now so iconic that the medium has taken the
movie into other artfroms. That progression into theatres has not only transferred
into the west end and Broadway but throughout the world by amateur dramatic
groups in village halls. Even though La La Land realised in January of this year
made box office success and Oscar nominations and wins, I feel that it may not
stand the test of time in 10 years. Bringing it back to grease,
Many people love it despite hearing it tonnes of times they pay good money and
audience participation. Its the only time of film that produces this. All going to
participate that they are going to have a good night.
Musical Films
The musical is a fairly controversial ode of storytelling. Not everyone going from
a scene of normality to a sudden burst into song.
The films nowadays are aimed at younger audiences. For example high
school musical and Frozen.
Musicals are always set in a fantasy world where music appears out of
nowhere, where extras spontaneously act as back-up dancers. Where
everybody has a booming Broadway-style singing voice.
Overall, musicals tend to be utopic and happy where good rules over evil
or where the protagonist prevails. Whether the characters in the musicals
up and down, whether they are alone or in public. They are always able to
fulfil their desire to feel better by dancing and singing.
Music of musicals
SETTING:
Musicals have been set in many different times and places and are
embedded in many other genres.
Typically, there are big, lavish, colorful, over-the-top sets -- the
scenery can often change from a realistic picture to something more
dreamlike.
Often musicals look like they are set on a theatre stage reminiscent of
Broadway theatre musical productions
Characters :
Cinema, DVD and BLUEray, Netflix amazon prime, sky movies, freeview,
YouTube and illegal movie sites like putlocker and 123 movies. I would say
the main viewing is probably putlocker and Netflix as most families have a
Netflix account and putlocker is obviously free.
The jazz singer (1927) is considered the first musical. It was the first
feature length Hollywood talkie film. In which spoken dialogue was used
as part of the dramatic action. Alttough the production was only 25%
which is a lot less than musicals we are used to seeing in todays society.
The commercialization of sound-on-film, and the transformation of the
industry from silent films to talkies became a reality with the success of
this film.
He broke away from the old formula and made his own musical films
such as singing in the rain (1944) and Meet me in saint Louis.
1970s musical films saw huge success at the big screen. Popular music
took over musical films. Jesus Christ Superstar (1973), Tommy (1975),
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), Grease (1978), Hair (1979) The
genre of musical films were being explored more, for example Rocky
Horror Picture Show explores the weird and wacky transvestite Dr
Frank-N-furter. Cult classic. On the other hand, Grease explores the
high school social status. Also with the rivalry gangs. Both films, show
case more explicit viewing .
1990s musical films are now known as the golden age of musicals.
Beauty and the Beast (1991), Aladdin (1992), Newsies (1992), The Lion
King (1994), Pocahontas (1995), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996),
Hercules (1997), Mulan (1998), Tarzan (1999). These are films that
people my age grew up with. Nowadays, you can still see reenactments
of these films on stage.
2000s musical films have a more bold and most modern feel. Only a few
musicals were made, but they were bold, such as: Hedwig and the Angry Inch
(2001), Moulin Rouge! (2001), 8 Mile (2002), Chicago (2002), Dreamgirls
(2007), Sweeney Todd (2007) . Hollywood names are teaming up with
.
production teams to star in these films for example Jamie Fox, Eddie
Murphy and Beyonc all starred in Dreamgirls.
La La Land explores the industry and the struggles Sebastian and Mia
have. It is a love story but it shows the crumbling of not only a
relationship but a career too. Alos, its not a happy ending as Emma
Stones character Mia ends up with someone else, however the
audience does see a fake reality of how we would have likes it too end.
This narrative technique is postmodern which is something that has
taken over a lot of musical films these days.
Narrative structure from musical films.