A telenovela is a vision. From the moment that story leaves the writer’s brain and starts to formulate a script, there is an end goal. One of the things that help to get the story to the readers most effectively is the addition of music.
When I am watching La Reina del Sur, I can tell when the commercial breaks would be. The music builds up to it. You can hear the crescendo and as the music gets more intense the actors get more intense. Without the music, some of the scenes would be average. There are a lot of scenes in the telenovela both from clips we have watched in class and from La Reina del Sur that would have barely any meaning if it were not for the music. The way it sounds can make an ordinary scene suspenseful or scary or even help to develop the chemistry between the characters.
This is something that is used in horror movies. If there is a scene of a man walking down the street without any music, it looks like what it is… a man walking down the street. If a suspenseful track is played in the background, all of a sudden the scene could be from a horror movie. Sound is very powerful in understanding television or movie scenes.
In the Turkish telenovela clips where the actors are not allowed to show much chemistry on the scene, all of the other pieces of the story have to support the chemistry between the characters. The music is one of those pieces. When the characters are engaged in the tickling scene, the music is soft and lovely. This in combination with the characters’ lines and action help to build chemistry without sex or even just passionate kissing scenes.
Music plays a big part in my life. My dad plays guitar and owns too many CDs for his own good. I played violin for 8 years. I even danced for my whole childhood and music was, of course, involved.
My dad told me that he used to play jazz music for me when I was a baby because it is supposed to help develop your brain. I have no idea if this is true or not. I know that there are a few studies out there that show it improves pattern recognition which is a beneficial skill when it comes to learning new things.
When I am sad or in a bad mood there is a certain playlist that I listen to that cheers me up. Without fail, after listening to this playlist for a few minutes, I feel better. Music can change our mood.
When I have a task at hand, that task becomes more tolerable when I play music. Whether I am walking to class or cleaning my room, my AirPods are in.
So when there is music in the background of a TV show or movie, I pay attention to it. I recognize many of the classical songs because I have either played them or danced to them. I recognize a lot of older, bluegrass, and folk music because that is what I grew up listening to. The music in telenovelas is distinct.
One of the main characteristics of a telenovela is despecho. A scene depicting the heartbreak includes 3 things: friends, alcohol, and music. It sets the tone. Melancholy sounds mean melancholy characters.
If you click on this link and go to 2.20, you can hear the music in the background start to build tension. Without even understanding the plot, it is clear that the ringing of this phone signifies something very bad.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjm5iYHv_iU
Then the music becomes softer as Teresa is told the terrible news. Sadness overtakes the initial freak out. Once Teresa realizes the gravity of the situation and starts to freak out again, the music builds tension. The music mimics the dramatic emotions the characters are supposed to show and changes just as fast as their emotions do.
I am always in awe when I can get a general understanding of what is happening in a scene just based on the music. When some of the clips in class do not have subtitles, I am still able to understand the basics. The emotions of the actors are supported by the background sounds. This just goes to show how powerful music is and how important song choice is in any scene.
Your analysis of the effects of music on both telenovelas and life in general incorporated things I had never thought about, so thank you. Even though I play guitar here and there, listen to the radio when I drive, and have a record player in my dorm room, I am actually not a huge "music person." However, over the last few months and even more the last few weeks watching my telenovela ("Amar y Vivir"), I have gained a much greater appreciation for music. As you mentioned, music is strongly correlated with emotions. When I am sad, I listen to music, just as you said. However, all of this is from a listener's point of view. In "Amar y Vivir," I have actually seen the same correlation between music and emotion but from the artist/singer's point of view. One example is when the protagonist, Irene, wrote and sang a song to apologize and make up with her best friend. The song caused them both to shed tears, hug, and share a special moment. I think this is very relatable from any perspective and further proves your point that music greatly contributes to the vision and effect of a telenovela.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you analyzed the impact of music in telenovelas because I too found it to be very fascinating the grande effect music can have. As I was watching my telenovela, Ingobernable, I carefully listened to the music. The intense, suspenseful music makes the scenes exceptionally more fiery. The build up of the music entices the audience as they know something big is going to happen. The music really draws the audience in, and affects their emotions as well. Once I hear that vigorous tone, my heart rate goes up 10 beats.
ReplyDeleteMusic truly is so powerful on the human brain and it is so intelligent that telenovela production uses it to their advantage to elevate their shows.
Additionally, I think an aspect of the music that is important is whether the audience wants to continue listening to the songs or not. Great music in a show can be a huge revenue for writers and producers because once the audience hears songs in a show and likes them, they will listen to the show's playlist. This can be great for singers and songwriters who are trying to make their spotlight just as many telenovela actors and actresses.
All in all, music has such a great effect on both the intensity of the show and life outside just watching the telenovela but listening to its soundtrack as well.
I totally agree with your analysis on how different types of music is incorporated into telenovela's to portray different levels of intensity. I am also watching La Reina Del Sur, and starting from the first scene, where she gets the phone call that her boyfriend died, the music ramps up intensely, and before the scene even happens, you know something bad is coming. I loved how personal that you got with the impact of music in your life. I can relate with you on a lot of the points that you've made! I also really rely on music throughout my day. Putting on some calm music can help me study for my classes, and really upbeat music can help me gain momentum when working out. I also believe that music can be an outlet to release our emotions. I listen to more moody music when I am sad and music with a good beat when I'm happy.
ReplyDeleteOverall I think you did a great job on your post!