In Ingobernable, music plays an essential role in setting the mood of the telenovela. Both incidental music and the theme song work to develop the disposition and allow the readers to feel into these emotions.
Initially, here is the theme song of Ingobernable so you can gain an idea:
It is evident the suspense the show will entail just through the trailer. The music is slow at first and then around 30 seconds in it starts to build by speeding up slightly, inferring the constant plot changes the show will contain. This allows for the audience to gain an understanding of the telenovela: whether it will be a light and happy show or will be full of stress, flips and switches. Clearly, in Ingobernable, we notice the show will contain more substance than just a light-hearted show.
Again, in the following clip, the instrumental music is deep and careful as a heart breaking scene is occurring:
Imagine if happy piano music was playing in the background compared to the thick and rich music that is inputted. The scene would not seem so dramatic and serious, and the audience would not be able to understand the emotions the characters are going through. Even without understanding the language, if a viewer were to watch this scene, he or she would be able to understand that whatever is going on is not good. The music displays the tension between Emilia and her husband and the audience can conclude that the two are not getting along.
In the following scene which flashbacks from two years before, natural and melodious music plays in the back.
With all of the details that go into theme songs and incidental music, we can see that the business aspect of music is very important as well. Especially with the quick turnarounds of telenovelas, these music writers must be producing songs left and right. Furthermore, the music is also important because it can be a big hit with the audience, creating revenue. Specifically with Ingobernable, I have noticed on my Spotify that the soundtracks are available, and quite popular as well. Ingobernable does use popular songs as well as songs written for the telenovela. I suppose they have to buy the right to use the song, which can in turn benefit singers and songwriters in getting their music to an even bigger audience.
All in all, music plays an incredible role in both the production and consumption of a telenovela. Music allows the audience to understand the tone of the scene even without understanding the language or seeing a single episode before. It also is a great revenue aspect for the production companies and can truly make or break a show.
Hey Sofia,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you; music plays an essential role in how the scenes are perceived. My chosen telenovela is La Reina Del Sur, and the music has a significant impact on the settings. In La Reina del Sur, the introduction video literally dictates the story. The introduction song for this telenovela is a form of cantastoria, where the singers sing the story. Initially, I did not understand what the words meant as I am not a Spanish speaker. But because the song was so catchy, I looked up the lyrics and realized that it was the whole story. The catchy intros and dramatic music throughout the episodes are an essential aspect of what compels the audience to return.
Moreover, music honestly allows the viewers to understand the mood without comprehending a single word from the scene. As shown in class, the music sets the tone for the scene; it fills the awkwardness and makes it more romanticized.
Hi Sofia!
ReplyDeleteI chose to comment on your post because I couldn't agree more. I know for me, music plays a huge role in my day to day life and mood. I really enjoyed how you included links to the music in your blog post. Listening to them really helped me grasp your thoughts while reading. The theme song definitely sets the tone for your telenovela and I agree when you say it's suspenseful. My favorite part about your post is when you write about imagining how the scene would be different if there was different music playing. I had never really thought much into that until reading your post. You structured your post in a great way by providing examples followed by explanations. Also, your conclusion did a great job of really tying everything together and summing up just how much the music matters in telenovelas. Overall, you did an awesome job explaining these examples and I really enjoyed reading your post!
Hey Sofia,
ReplyDeleteI think your analysis on the music used in telenovelas is very interesting. I once read that the music is one of the last, but most essential parts of any kind of film/show. The music helps add tone to the film, and helps clue in the audience to different moods of characters and plots to come. It sort of prepares the audience for what is to come without actually telling them, and helps them appreciate and understand key moments in plot and character development.
For example, if a family is having an innocent and genuine moment, happy, upbeat, and positive music in the background can help the audience understand the closeness of the family and may help them relate to that relationship. In turn, since the audience already felt that pure moment and character development between the family, it will hit a lot harder when, let’s say, one of them is kidnapped, and it throws the entire family dynamics off as they race to find them. And, let’s say, during this chase there is suspenseful music, the contrast is even more apparent to the audience, and hypes up the emotion, and in turn the investment of the audience.
That was a bit of a tangent of an example, but I still find it fascinating how music can add so much to the story and how integral it is to the greatness of a show/film.
(Dr. A posting on behalf of Haley Whitehead)
ReplyDeleteSofia, I think you hit the nail on the head with a lot of the points you make regarding music within a telenovela. I appreciated how you even gave credit to the composers who are usually forgotten. The number of pieces and the time frame they are given to create them seem like an almost impossible task to complete yet somehow, they do it. The audience primarily gives all the credit of a "good telenovela" to the actors and yes, they play a MAJOR role, there is something to be said about the music in the background and how it reflects the telenovela too. I feel with telenovelas and the appropriate music is like movies in today's time with graphics. We often will conclude a movie to be subpar if the graphics are bad regardless on the actor’s performance. In the same way, I feel music is a significant factor in the production of a successful telenovela. I hadn't originally thought about how the songs from the telenovela could profit immensely as well. It makes me curious now to see if the soundtrack from my telenovela is listed anywhere on any major platforms. Music creates an atmosphere where nothing must be said yet everyone understands. Music bridges the gap between cultures and languages regardless of your background. To say that music plays a minor role in the creation of telenovelas, would be an understatement by far.